lukewarm

There is an interesting (and convicting) word that Jesus uses to describe a specific category of people. It is lukewarm, and if you read the references in Scripture referring to those who fit this description, you can be certain that it is not a term that you would want Jesus using to describe you. For example:

So, because you are lukewarm— neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

From Miriam-Websters Dictionary:

luke·warm

1 : moderately warm, tepid
2 : lacking conviction, halfhearted

The term refers to people who have a 'loose' connection to God. They believe in him with their mouths, but do not depend on him or follow him with their lives. They tend to compartmentalize their faith into Sunday morning worship services and little else. Lukewarm means that we want the comfort and protection of God, but not the commands and kingship of God.

I think if we are honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that each one of us has lukewarm days or moments. I know that there are times when I flat out deny what I know God wants of me because I would just rather do my own thing. But having those kinds of moments is a little different from living that kind of life. While we sometimes fail to surrender all of ourselves to God, if we recognize that ultimately His ways are good - and if we devote ourselves to knowing Him and His ways - then we are not lukewarm, but believers who also happen to be humans. As humans, we will never get it right all the time (thought that shouldn't diminish our desire to try!)

On the other side of the spectrum are those who live completely lukewarm lives. . . somehow they seem totally unaware (or simply don't care) that they are missing the big picture (although I believe that on some level we always know when we are rejecting what is true). I really believe that there are faithful church-attenders who have never fully understood that God calls us not just to church attendence, but to completely transformed lives.

The Christian calling is all-encompassing. When you accept the bible as the written word of God, you have to recognize that the story within it is the true story for all of creation, for all of time. It that's the case, then God's word should impact every single arena of our lives.

I want to be a follower of Jesus who is faithful in my convictions, passionate in my pursuit of truth, and devoted to living the way my king has called me to live. Because, although God's grace is a free gift, and salvation something that we could never earn but freely receive, once we have the knowledge and understanding of God's character we have no choice but to turn and run after Him! As Paul once prayed for his brother and sisters, I pray for us:

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom
and understanding. Then the way you live
will always honor and please the Lord, and
your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.
All the while, you will grow as you learn to
know God better and better.Colossians 1:9-10

Oh, how I hope and pray that lukewarm would never be a word describing my faith or yours.