CHAPTER 8
LUKE WARM:
EVANGELIST ISSACHAR L. WARM
“...if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing (apart from his Spirit, you can do nothing)....” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB). “...apart from [GOD] nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB). “... APART FROM [God]... you can do nothing …” (John 15:1-11 NASB).
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Issachar worked tirelessly on Sunday’s sermon. Pastor had asked him to bring the message. He felt he had developed a good creative sermon, but he was thankful he didn’t have to do it every week like he had when he was teaching the bible study. He was good at his job and he always found a way to connect the truth of God’s Word with a good message. He had time to do something else now.
In a couple of years, he would be 60 years old and many things were turning around in his life. He had transition from that young drama student to the man he is today.
Issachar SAW what he wanted and he went for it. However, he’d done it HIS WAY, and it had come with a cost. “...he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant...” (Genesis 49:15 KJV).
He’d come to this pleasant CHRISTIAN land, but he had NOT been drawn like everyone else. . “No one can come to me except the Father which hath sent Me draw him...” (John 6:44 KJV).
He could ONLY boast in his “own” human choice, naturalness, impelling, or personification of fake salvation, a salvation which can only come by grace through faith anyway. “…[salvation]… IS THE GIFT OF GOD (the Holy Spirit through Jesus)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…[God’s people ARE] ... SAVED by grace through faith (trust in & dependency upon God, the Holy Spirit through Jesus)… NOT OF [them]SELVES ... not of works (doings OF THE flesh), that no man (woman) should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…The flesh profiteth nothing …” (John 6:63 KJV).
He could no longer bear the heavy burden of his “own” choices, yet his soul remained unredeemed. He had NO spiritual gifts to display. He knew NOT the healing and salvation through God’s word for himself.
He had COME, on his own, to merely REAP the benefits of God’s riches, spiritual blessings, gifts, and advantages that was afforded to God’s people, which, HE KNEW, he was not.
He was in the midst of them and APPEARED as if he belonged. He had wormed his OWN way into the PLACE of REST and SALVATION. He had some of the highest and most coveted Christian positions, powers, and opportunities upon earth, but it did not have him. He was on his way STRAIGHT to HELL according to his wife and God’s WORD.
Virtuous SAW him just like Poppy did. He didn’t like either. She said almost the same things too. That’s why he’d gotten mad at her on their 10th anniversary.
She’d told him either something was real or it wasn’t. She complimented him on how he looked, what he knew, what he’d accomplished, what a good father he’d become, and his ministry, but she said, “...no offense, Izzy, but you’re NOT real. You are a self-invention. You helped everybody, but yourself...”
She’d given him four scriptures: “...I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified...” (1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT). “...if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die...” (Romans 13:5 KJV). “...Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?...”(2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “...Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up...” (James 4:10 KJV).
Issachar SAW Christianity and he had come into its arena for what HE WANTED not for what HE NEEDED. “...he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant...” (Genesis 49:15 KJV).
He had NOT come to rest his weary soul. He had NOT come to have his lost soul saved either. He had NOT come for the indwelling Holy Spirit. He had NOT come for salvation. He had come for the RICHES, the BLESSINGS, the GIFTS and the ADVANTAGES. “...he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant...” (Genesis 49:15 KJV).
There is a DOOR into the PLACE of rest and salvation, which is Jesus Christ, but Issachar had created his OWN WAY in, but Virtuous told him he wasn’t really in Christ at all.
He had to admit, he saw what he was missing through Virtuous and he was jealous. Yes, he may have some of the highest and most coveted Christian positions, powers, and opportunities upon earth, but he was a poor and destitute soul.
Virtuous, on the other hand, was lavished and nurtured with spiritual wealth and treasures.
He had gotten what he wanted, right? “…What shall it profit a man (woman), if he (she) shall gain the whole world (through good deeds), and lose his (her) own soul?...” (Mark 8:36 KJV).
Issachar was RIGHT smack dab in the middle of Christianity; its harmony, its holy love, its riches, its advantages, its righteous people, and its blessings, but did not benefit “internally” from it.
In fact, his wife, children, ministry, and businesses reeked with Christian SPIRIT. While they were intimately and genuinely joined to Christianity, spiritually, through Christ, he had no attachment whatsoever. “...I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified...” (1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT).
Virtuous had gone through SO MUCH with him and yet she could STILL love him, be joyous, kind, trust in God, fellowship, run the family, sing songs, and pray as though she was living a trouble free life.
He KNEW the bible better than she did. At least he thought he did. He meditated upon the scriptures, pondered its depths, exchanged his Christian views with others, participated in multiple biblical discourses, knew Greek and Hebrew, and fed his mind in abundance, but his heart was left empty. Virtuous said: “… God has sen[ds]... forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS WORD) into our hearts...” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The sower (God) SOWETH THE WORD …The (spiritual) seed (Jesus) is [also]... the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in [THE] HEARTS [of God’s redeemed people]…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).
“… His name (Jesus’ name) is [also] called The Word of God (the spiritual seed)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “ …[God’s people] have this treasure (this spiritual seed) “in” earthen (human) vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). He KNEW about Christ, but she KNEW Jesus Christ, on a personal level, which was the MOST important kind of knowledge.
He thought because he could put the scriptures, parables, narratives, biblical characters together, in such a poetic, inspiring, life-changing, and picturesque way that bought people to Jesus, he HAD what it TOOK, but he was wrong. “... APART FROM [Jesus]... you can do nothing …” (John 15:1-11 NASB).
He dwelt daily among Christian people, appeared to be one of them, but whether he liked it or not HE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. “...’Master,’ Said John, ‘we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not ONE OF US,’ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you...’” (Luke 9:49-50 NIV).
“Jesus saith…I am THE WAY…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…those who do not have the [indwelling Holy]... Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.….” (Romans 8:8-11 NLT).
Issachar had a truly, Godly wife and all his children were “real” Christians. They lived a pretty decent and orderly life. Peace, love, and joyous serenity ran through his home and there were endless blessings, but he was NOT, genuinely a part of it. His body was there, but the bond of holy love and spiritual connection was NOT!
“...he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant ...” (Genesis 49:15 KJV). Issachar had come to CHRISTIANTY for the WRONG reasons.
It was NOT his desire to be reconciled to God that he’d come. He was NOT thirsting after righteousness, prayer, or the gracious outpouring of God’s Spirit. It wasn’t the longing for the covenant relationship that drove him to the Gospel either.
Issachar merely wanted the ADVANTAGES of the Christian life and that was the ONLY reason he’d chosen a Godly wife, so he could have Godly children to share in his Godly ministry and Godly business adventures.
He, himself, wasn’t Godly, especially without the indwelling Holy Spirit. He had become PIOUS through his “OWN” invention of piety. It was through his “OWN” efforts he’d “appeared” DEVOUT on the outside.
Issachar had taken on Christianity and learned about the lifestyle as if it was no more than a career move or new vocation, job, or trade.
Though Issachar had taught and study the Word of God many times he knew NOTHING about the contrite heart of King David. The King had said: “…against thee, thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest…” (Psalms 51:4 KJV).
God said: “...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise...” (Psalms 51:17 KJV). “...Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice...” (Psalms 51:16-17 MSG).
Issachar was miserable. He had “couched” between two burdens. He thought the CHRISTIAN life was PLEASANT, but in all these years, he had NEVER inherited it, joined, it, or partook in it at ALL. “... Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant...” (Genesis 49:14-15 KJV).
“... Issachar ...bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute...” (Genesis 49:14-15 KJV). Issachar had come to CHRISTIANITY in his “OWN” way, and THOUGHT it was PLEASANT arena, but it was “now” his BURDEN.
It had become a YOKE of his “OWN” making. He’d put it upon his “OWN” neck and bound his “OWNSELF” to a life of designated servitude and tributary payments.
Every day he submitted to his servitude, which he felt was his wife, his children, his ministry, and his businesses. It was what HE WANTED and he had WANTED it in his OWN WAY. He knew the bible said: “...Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls...” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “...Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly...” (Matthew 11:29-30 MSG).
Issachar had taught this verse. Jesus helped “his people” carry their burdens, to help prevent enduring pain and discomfort. But one would have to be “HIS” and “surrender” to his LOVE and CARE. The bible says: “..I who took care of [my people]. I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from [their] neck, and I myself stooped to feed [them]. ….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “...He careth for [his people]....” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).
This burden was one of his OWN choosing. It wasn’t that his wife, children, ministry, or businesses were burdens, but they were actually HIS “rightful” responsibility, vows, promises, debts, and tributes. However, they were a burden, because he COULDN’T carry this YOKE or responsibility, alone. The bible verse said: “... I lifted the yoke from [their] neck ….” (HOSEA 11 NLT).
Issachar was NOT one of God’s people. He didn’t BELONG to him at all. Thus, his services and tributes to the people and entities in his life were like oppressive yokes and heavy burdens.
He had WANTED this life and in order to KEEP this life, he HAD to do whatever it TOOK or COST to STAY in this life, even sell his soul to the devil. He was a SERVANT to the life he, himself, had LUSTED for and CHOSEN all on his OWN. Truly, apart from Jesus Christ, Issachar could “…do nothing…” (John 15:5 KJV).
He had gotten what HE WANTED. He was in the MIDST of these CHRISTIAN people. He was surrounded by RICHES, BLESSINGS, ADVANTAGES, and RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE and yet, it gave him no joy, pleasure, or delight. HE WAS “NOT” ONE OF THEM.
He had PURSUED God’s STUFF, but he had NOT pursued God. He thought he HAD it and thought he could HAVE it without going through the ONE WAY God, himself, had established!
“... Issachar ...bowed his shoulder to bear...” (Genesis 49:14-15 KJV). He was NOT one of the REDEEMED. He had NOT given his heart to Christ. He had NOT been repentant. He did NOT know God’s indwelling, or his grace, or his strength.
He was his OWN kind of convert. He had PAID his OWN way into the Christian arena. He had COME on his OWN strength. He had IMITATED them to the very last detail, but had totally missed Jesus Christ.
He had DONE so much for CHRISTIANITY, God owned him a FREE PASS into heaven. Yet, like so many others, he was ONLY claiming to be God’s people. AND, like him, they have also been MATCHLESS in their CHRISTIAN DOINGS. “...if [you] give all [your] possessions to feed the poor, and if [you] surrender [your] body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits [you]... nothing...” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB).
“…Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied ...cast out devils... and DONE many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (gross injustice or wickedness)…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV)
His FLESH and all his so-called “good” deeds had profited him NOTHING! “…It is the SPIRIT who gives “LIFE”; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “….apart from … [God’s HOLY Spirit], [you can]… do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
A human being could NOT make himself or herself a Christian without Christ. Christ MAKES the Christian. “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 ASV).
“…I will put a new spirit in you. …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “... and man (woman) became a living soul (soul AGAIN)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…By the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). Issachar was merely an imposter and he was angry about it.
He STILL wanted to do CHRISTIANITY “HIS” way. It wasn’t FAIR! HE’D done EVERYTHING right! He DESERVED Heaven! He’d EARNED it! “…I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!...” (John 10:1-10 NASB).
He couldn’t see PASS his stubborn and rebellious nature that his CHRISTIANITY was nothing more than usage service. He had WORKED hard to get what he WANTED of CHRISTIANITY and he’d gotten his reward, which WOULDN’T be heaven. “… All their works …[are done]… to be seen of men…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV). “…Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…” (Matthew 6:5 KJV).
All of Issachar’s self-labor, self-exertion, self-will, self-dependence, self-gains, self-pieties, self-efforts, self-sacrifice, self-made Christianity had GOTTEN him what he WANTED, but turned into servitude and forced tribute. “...they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “... Issachar ...bowed his shoulder to bear...” (Genesis 49:14-15 KJV).
“... Issachar ... became a servant unto tribute...” (Genesis 49:14-15 KJV). Issachar’s husband-hood, fatherhood, leadership positions, and financial endeavors are NOTHING more, to him, that “payments of tribute” in order to SECURE his place in the HUMAN Christian arena; not heaven It had become like slavery where all he felt were the constraints and weariness of each tasks.
Issachar had come into CHRISTIANITY like a THIEF and stolen what was NOT rightfully his for the taking. “…I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!....” (John 10:1-10 NASB). “ …the thief cometh….to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV). “...“A thief must make full restitution for what is stolen...” (Exodus 22:3-4 MSG).
A THIEF must be able to pay restitution for stealing. The THIEF is accountable and responsible for the injuries and losses incurred on the people they victimized.
Issachar had STOLEN the TRUTH from his wife, his children, his ministry, and his business endeavors. Paying his restitution, to them, made him feel like a bond-servant.
Thus, his tributes were FORCED, FAKE, RELIGIOUS EXERCISES, HUMAN PERFORMANCES, and STAGED interactions.
Had Issachar come into CHRISTIANITY through Jesus, yielded his heart, bonded, with him, through holy love, and connected through the Spirit he would have been motivated by devotion and not the DRUGE of DUTY “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:8 KJV). The fruit of the Spirit is love …” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…Love …the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB).
“…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of [love. …it is …God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…That great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work “IN US” what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…It is God which worketh IN YOU both to will and to do of his good pleasure…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Issachar KNEW nothing about this Holy LOVE or INDWELLING Holy power, personally. Therefore, he dutifully paid his dues to his wife, children, ministry, and businesses. If he DID the RIGHT THING or his DUTY that “seemed” righteous to him, why wasn’t that enough? Because it wasn’t WHAT “he” did that mattered to God, it was Jesus. “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH...” (Proverbs 14:20 KJV).
So the question remains: “WHY had Issachar done it? I wanted the Christian life. I wanted it MY way. I wanted the ADVANTAGES and prestige it afforded me. That’s the ONLY reason I’d come to the Christian community.
He read the scriptures over and over. They angered Him. He still wanted HIS WAY to be accepted. “…I am THE DOOR: by ME if any man enter in, he shall be SAVED …” (John 10:9 KJV). “…SALVATION is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV). “…And there is SALVATION in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NASB). “…There is SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE…” (Acts 4:12).
One of their assignments from the marriage group was to tell each other two characteristics they would like their spouse to work on. Virtuous wanted him to work on his pride and stubbornness, so he’d asked her to explain.
She said. “...Izzy, as far as your pride goes, you think you’re humble, but you’re not. You don’t accept constructive criticism, you like being the center of attention, you are a very good looking man, but you can be vain about it, you love teaching, but you’re not teachable, and don’t listen to others’ advice, not even your elders...”
He asked: “..and the stubbornness?...”
“...well, you act as if you afraid of change, you never admit you’re wrong, you’re unwilling to change your mind and see things from another person’s view, and you criticize anything that contradicts your personal beliefs...”
“...That’s a lot Virty. What do you suggest I do to start working on those things?...”
“....Surrender to God...”
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