Are You a Lukewarm Christian?

The scariest part of a lukewarm faith is that its participants are unaware. How can we be sure that we are on fire for Christ? What does the Bible offer as a cure for lukewarm? Find out in this episode of Real Christianity.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

• The term “lukewarm” comes from Revelation Chapter 3 where Jesus is correcting seven churches with seven specific issues: The loveless church, the persecuted church, the compromising church, the corrupt church, the dead church, the faithful church, and the lukewarm church.
• This is showing the frustrating state of lukewarm water. Hot water has a purpose and cold water has a purpose, but lukewarm water is an attempt to be both at once; It has no loyalties, it’s a state of indifference, it’s idle or inactive.
• In fact, Jesus shows more mercy to those who are cold, than He does for those who are lukewarm. In other words, Jesus prefers an outright denial over half-hearted commitment. And this tells us something about Jesus’ expectations for His followers; He expects blazing devotion.
• So what does blazing devotion look like? It can be translated into “passionate love.” Last week, we talked about Jesus’ repeated command, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” And how the greatest display of your love is through obedience. You’re not saved by your obedience, but your obedience is the outpouring gratitude for the fact that you are saved.
• It is important to know that calling Jesus “Lord” in and of itself isn’t sufficient to save you. Jesus combines the declaration of lordship with obedience.
• So how do you know if Jesus knows you? How do you know you’re not a lukewarm Christian?
  • You cannot know God if you do not keep His commandments. You cannot love God if you do not keep His commandments. If you don’t keep His commandments you don’t know God or love God which means you’re still in your sin and under God’s wrath. You’re practicing lawlessness.
• So basically, biblical Christianity implies that you are deeply devoted to Christ and His way. But this isn’t by your own self-will. Your devotion comes from the Holy Spirit’s regeneration or quickening of your flesh to serve Christ. Again, this isn’t total takeover. You must choose to walk in the Spirit. You have a responsibility in this journey.

Scriptures Referenced

• Revelation 3:15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
• Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
• 1 John 2:3-6 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
• 1 John 3:4 “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”
• Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Resources Mentioned

You can buy a copy of Real Christianity at the Relearn Church Store

Lexham Press Coupon Code: realchristianity

Honey from the Rock: Daily Devotions from Young Kuyper

Reformed Dogmatics, Volume 5: Ecclesiology, the Means of Grace, Eschatology

After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.