What is a Lukewarm Christian? In our particular context, the Dictionary defines lukewarm as showing little enthusiasm. Indifferent, unenthusiastic, apathetic, half-hearted.
A lukewarm Christian is a believer who lacks enthusiasm or interest. Their spiritual life lacks zeal and fruitfulness – lacks an interest in worship, reading the Word, or being fruitful in God’s kingdom. Their faith could be more effective and more real with action.
In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea, saying, “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.” While scary, was meant to serve as a wake-up call to rouse or rejuvenate zeal and eagerness to be in His Word.
By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them.
Matthew 7:16-20
The type of fruit we bear defines the tree that we are in God’s kingdom. Whether they are bad or good fruits, they show that we are not dormant in our faith journey. However, lukewarm Christians do not bear any fruit, good or bad.
In verse 19, Jesus says that every tree that bears no fruit will be cut down and burned. So, we must be fruitful and go beyond the lukewarm state.
Lukewarm Christians claim to know Jesus, but their actions do not prove they know Him. Hearts of lukewarm Christians do not fully seek after the righteousness of God. They are Christians by name, but their actions show nothing that can relate them to Jesus Christ.
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In 2 Peter 1:3-4, the Bible says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Through these, He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
We are called to be active participants in the kingdom of God through the divine power that God has given us. Failure to do so makes us lukewarm Christians.
Are You a Lukewarm Christian? 4 Things to Look Out For
Many signs can help you identify if you’ve become a Lukewarm Christian. However, becoming a Lukewarm Christian isn’t something that happens overnight. Our faith in God slowly fades, and our devotion to Him slows.
We Lose Interest in the Word of God
A lukewarm Christian loses interest in the Word of God, whether in prayer, worship, or when we fail to read the Word of God, we become ignorant of the teachings of Jesus and the things that God wants us to do to strengthen our relationship with Him. As a result, our relationship with God weakens, and we draw away from Him.
God’s Word plays a vital role in igniting our spiritual fire. It informs us of what God wants us to do and guides us on how to do it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Word of God prepares and guides us to do good works in the kingdom of God. It trains us in righteousness and leads us to the path that aligns with the will of God. It is a lamp that guides our feet away from the things that are not pleasing before the Lord.
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In Romans 10:17, the Bible tells us that the Word of God builds our faith. The more we read God’s word, the more we know about Him and believe in His doings. So, when we fail to read the Bible, it negatively impacts our faith in God.
We Don’t See the Need for Fellowship
Having a group of believers around us who can help us account for our actions is essential.
The Bible says that iron sharpens iron, and if we need to grow spiritually, we need to be connected with a group of believers.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
We are part of a larger body – the body of Christ. Therefore, we need other members for us to form a complete body. We must recognize the value of fellowship in our faith journey to avoid becoming Lukewarm Christians.
Our Faith Is Not Fruitful
Titus 3:14 reads, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”
We did not become Christians to become unproductive in God’s kingdom. The world must see Jesus through the fruits we bear. God created us to do good works and to be His co-workers on earth.
If we don’t seek out opportunities to serve God and bear fruit, we become lukewarm Christians.
We Worry About the World’s Opinion Rather Than God’s
The Bible warns us against following the flow of the world. However, a Lukewarm Christian cares so much about what people say about them rather than what God says.
They prefer to go against God to protect their name in society. They care a lot about their ‘Christian’ title rather than working to prove that they truly belong to Jesus.
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Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
A lukewarm Christian prefers the former to the latter. They would rather conform to the patterns of their surroundings than have their minds renewed and transformed by God’s grace. What matters most to them is their outward nature, not inward states.
If we find ourselves seeking the acceptance of our societies more than seeking to do what is pleasing to God, we are in a lukewarm state of our faith.
In Galatians 1:10, Paul admits, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Paul recognized the danger of seeking the approval of men for his spiritual well-being. He chose to seek the approval of God to escape the allure of becoming a Lukewarm Christian.
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Conclusion
Lukewarm Christianity can lead us down the wrong path if we don’t adjust and get back on track. But how do we adjust? After the rebuke of Jesus to the church in Laodicea, He does not pass judgment on them. Instead, He offers them a solution.
In Revelation 3:19, Jesus says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” We must repent and invite Jesus into our lives.
We must acknowledge our weaknesses, commit ourselves to doing good works, and earnestly serve God in every aspect.
Additionally, James 2:14 challenges us to prove our faith with corresponding actions. The Bible says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”
Our Christian titles cannot save us if we remain unproductive and unfruitful. We must be active and productive in the kingdom of God.