Lukewarm

I have recently finished reading “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. In the book Chan talks about lukewarm Christians and says they won’t make it into the kingdom of heaven. This statement does not sit well for many readers of the book. Chan goes on and gives examples of what it means to be a Christ follower and examines the Gospels message of Christ to us. He discusses at length lukewarm believers.

In Revelation 3:16 John writes “So because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” The Greek word for spit is actually the word for vomit, Jesus seems to say lukewarm Christianity literally makes him sick and he will vomit lukewarm believers out of his mouth. That is not a pleasing thought or image if one considers himself a lukewarm believer.

Matthew 7:21-23 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Verse 24 goes on to read “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Lukewarm Christians show up on Sunday and get their fill for the week. God is not thought of the other days of the week, nor is He an influence in the way lives are lead. Church is an obligation or a duty to fulfill just like any other task in our routines. Boring, mundane, next task please. That’s tepid Christianity.

God is a verb. Following Him leads to action. “He who does the will of my Father in heaven.” “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice.”

The will of God is found in Luke 10:27 He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

Love God, serve others. There is nothing lukewarm in that.