Lukewarm Living

A Lukewarm Story

I was recently listening to a Bryce Crawford podcast, and he told a story about lukewarm Christianity that I found to be very interesting. As I'm not sure of the original author, I'll summarize the story.

There was a man who stood in a field with a dividing fence in the middle. On one side stood Satan, on the other, God. Satan promised the man everything he'd ever wanted, everything he'd ever desired in his life would be his. Satan said that God would not give him what he truly wanted.

The man pondered and wanted to choose God, but the promise of everything he'd ever wanted was too great. It was a hard decision, so he thought he'd outsmart both of them. The man walked over to the fence, hopped up on it, and refused to choose a side.

After a while, the man fell. He fell for what seemed like hours and landed in hot darkness, a pitch black abyss, like nothing anyone had ever seen. The man was flabbergasted! "Why am I in hell? I sat on the fence, I didn't choose you." Satan was all too pleased to tell him that the fence belonged to him, and now...so did the man!

Talking the Talk; Not Walking the Walk

This story really resonated with me. In these, presumably, last days, many people claim to be Christians, followers of Christ, who are lukewarm believers. So many who say they follow Jesus and don't yield their fleshly desires. They keep living as though they haven't been saved. The Bible verse, Matthew 15:8-9, states that "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." Millions of people are so rooted in the world, its wealth, and its things that they don't give Jesus a second thought, let alone the first thought, as we're called to do.

Believing in Jesus is only the start. The verse James 2:19 states, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble." But that doesn't mean they're going to heaven, and everyone who says they're a Christian isn't going either. We have to be inwardly changed, spiritually renewed, and sanctified. Through this process, our outward appearance, actions, and motives are changed into a brand new creation.

Lukewarm Revelation

I love the verse in Revelation about being lukewarm. Revelation 3:15-16 says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth." It's straightforward and to the point; however, many people misinterpret what the verse is saying. Some people think it's better to be fully solidified in one decision or the other. They think it means either be a hot Christian or a cold sinner, but decidedly so. This is not how the verse should be understood. Historically, this verse refers to the aqueduct system in Laodicea. The town had one aqueduct that carried hot water from the Hieropolis Hot Springs and another that carried cold water from the Colossae Cold Springs.

When the cold or hot water had time to temper to lukewarm, the resulting product was a dissatisfactory option for drinking, to the point of inducing vomiting for some. This reference means that God's will for us is to accept Christ fully, not dip our toe into Christianity. It also means to repent and be earnest. In the process, be rebuked and disciplined for the sake of salvation. The verse literally says that God will vomit those believers out of his mouth. I think that means that those lukewarm "Christians" will never see heaven.

Relying on God

The letter to the church continues. Revelation 3:17 states that "Because you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,' and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." How brazen of the Laodicean church to say to God that they didn't need anything because of acquired wealth. God points out that they do not even realize their shortcomings, despite this wealth. Being lukewarm cuts off the fullness of Jesus. There is no understanding of the depth of his love and grace when we're not immersed in the full measure of God. Despite earthly wealth, we still have weaknesses; we're still lost. We NEED the completeness of Jesus to change us, which can only be done when we step out of lukewarmness and into the fire for Him.

Lukewarm NO More

I am sometimes guilty of being lukewarm as well. Some days it's just easier to be comfortable. But enough is enough! We've got to deepen our relationship with Christ. Grow deeper in love, deeper in grace, and deeper in understanding of our Lord. One of these days, it's going to be too late. Don't be one of the ones that God spews out of his mouth. Decide today to shake off being lukewarm. Rekindle your relationship with Jesus and grow closer to him daily.