If we are not living life according to Christ where He is first, then we are living a lukewarm life. Just look at Revelation 3:16- what does Jesus say to the church of Laodicea for being lukewarm?
How many of us would fall into that same category? We need to grow up spiritually... not being more religious but following Christ with every ounce of our being. Every day needs to be growing closer to Christ. Building that relationship... living love to all we meet according to His definition of love (see 1 Corinthians 13)
You may be wondering what it looks like to be lukewarm... here is how Francis Chan describes being lukewarm in the book "Crazy Love".
- Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go. (Isa. 29:13)
- Lukewarm people give money to charity and 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, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? (1 Chron. 21:24, Luke 21:1-4)
- Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside the church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. (Matt 23:5-7, Rev 3:1, Luke 6:26)
- Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sins; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don't really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. (John 10:10, Romans 6:1-2)
- Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not averae ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers. (James 1:22, James 4:17, Matt 21:28-31)
- Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. (Matt 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. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives. (Luke 9:57-62)
- Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn't really possible for the average person; it's only for pastors and missionaries and radicals. (Matt 22:37-38)
It is not about us and what we can do for Him. He has done everything for us... all he asks of us is to take up our cross daily and follow Him. He uses us despite us but how many times do we get wrapped up in "look at me and what I can do." God calls us to be hot or cold not lukewarm. Can you just imagine walking before the Lord one day being lukewarm where He vomits you out of His prescence??? He wants all of us or nothing at all. But like I said earlier we all do fall short on a daily basis and therein lies his grace and mercy.
So my friend... let us not be known as the lukewarm generation. Let's raise our children to God's standard not the world's. Let's be known by His love... you know the love that is patient, kind, longsuffering, etc. Let us raise up a standard against the enemy that the world looks at and says is CRAZY.
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