This profile of the lukewarm christian is not an all-inclusive definition of what it means to be a Christian, nor is it intended to be used as ammunition to judge your fellow believers' salvation. Instead, as 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, it is a call to "examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."
Lukewarm People attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go. (Isaiah 29:13)
Lukewarm People give money to charity and to the church, as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, to do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? (see http://takeupyourcross11.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-not-give-it-up-i-dont-really-like.html)
Lukewarm People tend to choose what is popular over what is right when in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside the church; they care more about what people think than what God thinks.
(Revelation 3:1; Matthew 23:5-7)
Lukewarm People don't really want to be saved from their sin. They want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sing and aren't truly sorry for it, they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. (Romans 6:1-2)
Lukewarm People rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They don't wanna be rejected, or make people feel uncomfortable. (Matthew 10:32-33)
Lukewarm People gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren't as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. (Luke 18:11-12)
Lukewarm People say they love Jesus, and He is indeed a part of their lives. But only a part. He isn't allowed to control their lives.
Lukewarm People feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age 12, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, or live in America. (Matthew 7:21)
So basically the point behind this whole post is to point out some traits of a lukewarm Christian. When I read this section of the book, every time I got to an example I would read it then ask myself if I'm that way. Thankfully I can answer "no" on pretty much all of them, but once in awhile I can catch myself acting like this. Can't we all?
Challenge: Re-read this and ask yourself at every key point, "am I like that?" "Do I do that?" You may be surprised at the answer. If you answer yes to any of them, THAT'S OKAY!!! You can ask God to CHANGE you and change your heart. He will help you, because He doesn't want to spit you out of His mouth. ("So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." - Revelation 3:16)
Please really consider this, because it could make the difference in your life. Do you want to live for Jesus with everything, or do you want to be a person that doesn't bother. The person who doesn't want to rock the boat. Here's what I say..... ROCK THE DARN BOAT! Be a disciple of Jesus!!
God bless, and blog soon
(I do not own any rights to the book Crazy Love or any of it's content. The excerpt has been slightly edited so as to not copy directly from the book. Please go to http://crazylovebook.com/ for more information.)
Lukewarm People attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go. (Isaiah 29:13)
Lukewarm People give money to charity and to the church, as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, to do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? (see http://takeupyourcross11.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-not-give-it-up-i-dont-really-like.html)
Lukewarm People tend to choose what is popular over what is right when in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside the church; they care more about what people think than what God thinks.
(Revelation 3:1; Matthew 23:5-7)
Lukewarm People don't really want to be saved from their sin. They want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sing and aren't truly sorry for it, they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. (Romans 6:1-2)
Lukewarm People rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They don't wanna be rejected, or make people feel uncomfortable. (Matthew 10:32-33)
Lukewarm People gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren't as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. (Luke 18:11-12)
Lukewarm People say they love Jesus, and He is indeed a part of their lives. But only a part. He isn't allowed to control their lives.
Lukewarm People feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age 12, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, or live in America. (Matthew 7:21)
So basically the point behind this whole post is to point out some traits of a lukewarm Christian. When I read this section of the book, every time I got to an example I would read it then ask myself if I'm that way. Thankfully I can answer "no" on pretty much all of them, but once in awhile I can catch myself acting like this. Can't we all?
Challenge: Re-read this and ask yourself at every key point, "am I like that?" "Do I do that?" You may be surprised at the answer. If you answer yes to any of them, THAT'S OKAY!!! You can ask God to CHANGE you and change your heart. He will help you, because He doesn't want to spit you out of His mouth. ("So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." - Revelation 3:16)
Please really consider this, because it could make the difference in your life. Do you want to live for Jesus with everything, or do you want to be a person that doesn't bother. The person who doesn't want to rock the boat. Here's what I say..... ROCK THE DARN BOAT! Be a disciple of Jesus!!
God bless, and blog soon
(I do not own any rights to the book Crazy Love or any of it's content. The excerpt has been slightly edited so as to not copy directly from the book. Please go to http://crazylovebook.com/ for more information.)
