Neither “fish nor fowl.” “Lukewarm.” “Wishy-washy.” “Spineless.” “Mediocre.” 

These are not good character references. These are descriptions of people who have no personal convictions, no compelling passions, no “take-it-to-the-front-line” faithfulness. Instead, like liquid gelatin, those who have no backbone pour themselves into whatever mold is put before to them for the simplest, easiest gain.

The apostle Paul was definitely not a “lukewarm” or “wishy-washy” kind of guy. In fact, he warned the church at Rome “Do not let the world squeeze you into its mold” (Romans 12:2, Phillips translation). Of course, the church can “squeeze” you into a mold of its own making just as firmly as the world. The mold of Christ is the only mold that should gain entrance to the human heart.

When Paul st…