Lukewarm Christianity...

The current book I'm reading Crazy Love has a chapter about Lukewarm Christians. It really stood out to me so I will pass on thoughts from that book as well as some from scriptures as well as a few of my own thoughts on this subject.

"Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they do." (Crazy Love)"

I think we can all agree upon that statement. People think that it is a big thing to go to church and to be seen at church. Even if they do not learn anything there or even take their faith out into the world. They lock it up in the four walls at church and keep it there for every Sunday.

"Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church...as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living." (Crazy Love)

They do not want to live uncomfortable even if that means helping out others. They only give if they have extra. They do not give from the top. I firmly believe that if we give from the top God will really bless us.

"Lukewarm people tend to chose what is popular over what is right when they are in a conflict." (Crazy Love)

They care so much more about what people think of them rather than think about what God thinks of what they are doing. They are making choices to please others and not to please God.

"I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." (Revelation 3:1)

"Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sin; they only want to be saved from the penalty of their sin." (Crazy Love)

This one is very true. I think a lot of times in our own lives we can point out a time where maybe we felt this way. We really enjoy the evil things we are doing but were saved so we are going to heaven no matter what we do. Here is what the Bible has to say about that:

"1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2)

"Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act." (Crazy Love)

All I can say I have been there done that. Guilty as charged.

" 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

"Lukewarm people rarely share faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends." (Crazy Love)

Once again people are too concerned with what others think about you rather than do what God tells us to do. They fear rejection and fear being made fun of. Why can't we stop thinking about what others think about us!! It controls us and it forms into a lifestyle. Its not good guys. We all need to work on that.

32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

"Lukewarm people gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themsleves to the secular world." (Crazy Love)

This is very right. And to be honest I have done this a lot in my life. We try to justify the things we say and do. But we can't justify anything.

Now what does say about Lukewarm Christians:

"15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (Revelation 3:15-17)