Lukewarm?

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hit it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) This man in the story was so pumped up for what he found that he sold everything so that he could have the only thing that mattered. He knew that what he stumbled (the kingdom of heaven) was more valuable than anything he had, so he went for it with everything in him.

 

What an amazing time at the Turkana Tribe. It was full of long laughs, more friendships, and new life. The first few days we split up into groups to spread the word from house to house or better yet hut to hut. The biggest thing that has caught my attention doing this is when you start to walk up to the hut someone is usually outside. You can tell so much by that first look. Are they smiling, nervous, sad, ect? You can really tell if that person is on fire for God, lukewarm, or cold in their faith. Why is it that Jesus always says if you give you life to God you will have everything?…..Because its true. I am reading a book about the lukewarm persons faith and I would like to share with you of what I have been learning. Here we go!

 

Lukewarm People- attend church fairly regulary. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good christains” should do, so they go. ” The Lord says, These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” (Isaiah 29:13)

 

Lukewarm People- choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions than what God thinks of their hears and lives.

 

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 usually don’t hat sin and aren’t truly sorry for it; they usually don’t believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. ” I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 

Lukewarm People- love God, but they do not love Him with all their hearts, soulds, and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but think that total devotion is for pastors, missionaries, or radicals.

 

Lukewarm People- rarely share their faith with neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues liek religion.

 

Lukewarm People- think about life on earth more than eternity in heaven. “Set you minds on things above, not earthly things” (Col. 3:2)

 

Lukewarm People- do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling to guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be “good enough” without it requiring to much of them. They ask… How far can I go before its considered a sin? Instead of… How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit? They ask…..How much do I have to give? Instead of… How much can I give? They ask…. How much time should I spend praying and reading the bible? Instead of…. I wish I didn’t have to go work, so I could sit here and read more.

 

These statements of the lukewarm person are not an all-out definition on what it means to be a christain, and its not to be used to judge others. But its to examine yourself whether you are in the faith. I know we will all fall short sometimes but I want to ask you this question. If you stopped believing in God today would your life look any different? We have to live by faith and trust in Gods love for us.

 

Revelation 3:16 ” So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I’m rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing, and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

 

“Examine Yourself”