Our Stories
Lukewarm
By Kim Hjelm | posted 08/13/2009
"To just read the Bible, attend church, and avoid “big” sins – is this passionate, wholehearted love for God?" (Francois Fenelon, The Seeking Heart, written in 1700!)
Speaking of the weather...Man! Was it hot a few weeks ago! Most of us don’t like weather that hot, then again, most of us don’t like cold weather either. Isn’t that why we live in the Pacific Northwest? Most of the time the temperatures here stay between the parameters of too hot and too cold - nothing too extreme on either end - right in the middle. You could say we like things ‘lukewarm’.
Speaking of lukewarm...in our recent look at the book of James, we were challenged individually and collectively to take a close and critical look at our faith. How many of us came up with ‘lukewarm’ responses to the questions of how much our faith is central to the way we live? Do any of the following definitions of a ‘lukewarm’ Christian (from Crazy Love by Francis Chan) describe you or your faith?
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.
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.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love of others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached.
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 average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE give money to charity and to the church...as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living.
Speaking of lukewarm...do you know what the Word of God says about lukewarm? In Revelation 3:15-16 it says:
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
These verses are part of a letter to the church in Laodicea. There are 7 such letters to 7 different churches in Revelation 1-3. Each letter contains a commendation, a rebuke and instruction to encourage that church, EXCEPT in the letter to the church in Laodicea. There is no commendation, no kudos - only rebuke for being lukewarm, as if this is so distasteful there is nothing good to find within it.
Chan comments, "This passage is where our modern understanding of lukewarm comes from. Jesus is saying to the church that because they are lukewarm, He is going to spit them out of His mouth.
There is no gentle rendering of the word spit in Greek. This is the only time it is used in the New Testament, and it connotes gagging, hurling, retching."
OK. We make our Lord and Savior sick to the point of vomiting when we are lukewarm, complacent, and casual with our faith. I’m not sure about you, but the thought of being so revolting as to be vomited from the mouth of God is just a tad bit disturbing to me and I need to figure out how to make that not happen!
It seems there is more to being a Christian than belief, going to church on Sundays, and ‘being good’ so that I can go to heaven when I die. Notice I said more...yes, belief will get you to heaven (whatever that means...that’s another topic for another time)...but what about now? What about this abundant life I am supposed to be experiencing? Even asking these questions is a clear indication that I am a member of the Lukewarm Club...and that is not a good thing. I am not talking about being guilt-driven to do more for the church, the poor or for those that suffer injustice. I am talking about a huge paradigm shift in the way I think and the way I live. "Following Christ isn’t something that can be done halfheartedly or on the side. It is not a label we can display when it is useful. It must be central to everything we do and are." (Chan, pg 94)
If these feelings are sounding at all familiar to you, we need to talk! As a community and as a family, we need to link arms and work together to NOT be LUKEWARM PEOPLE. We need to help each other grow a vital and active faith. Are you in?
Challenge #1 - read your Bible daily - look for what Jesus means when he says "Follow Me".
Challenge #2 - read Francis Chan’s book, Crazy Love. If you want to do this in a group...contact me and we will do it! (I will have books available for $10 this Sunday.)
Kim can be reached via email.
