Lukewarm Christianity
Here’s a hard pill to swallow: At some point in your Christian journey, you were lukewarm. Or worse, you might be in that place right now. This means you’re either unaware of God’s commands or hesitant to fully surrender to His will. We have all faced this struggle at some point so there is no room for judgment. However, God desires more for you. The Bible tells us in Revelation 3:15-16, “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.”
Many of us grew up attending church, but the word of God did not penetrate our hearts. Unknowingly, we settled for lukewarm faith, believing we knew God. I’ve personally experienced this. For years, I lacked conviction about my sins, sharing cute quotes and Bible verses on my Instagram story, and praying occasionally. But this is not the transformative faith Jesus seeks from His followers.
It’s easy to settle for religious routines, but what Jesus truly seeks is a deep, intimate relationship with us. Soley following Christian traditions does not define true Christianity. It is about laying down every sin that gets in the way of our walk with Christ (Hebrews 12:1) and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in every area of our lives (Romans 8:14).
As you reflect on these words, I pray that a genuine desire for a deeper relationship with Jesus ignites within you. May God reveal any areas of your life that have not been fully surrendered to His will. From this moment forward, may you reject this lukewarm Christianity and embrace wholehearted obedience to God’s commands, allowing Him to lead you into holiness and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
lukewarm christianity vs. the truth
“I can marry a non-believer.”
“Only God can judge me.”
This statement holds some truth. The Bible advises against judging our neighbors, affirming that God alone is the ultimate judge. However, the Bible also encourages us to judge wisely. This means approaching judgment with compassion and humility, rather than condemnation. When a believer offers correction with love, they are being obedient to the word of God. Therefore, dismissing it with "only God can judge me" is not entirely fair in such circumstances.
John 7:24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
Proverbs 31:9 “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
“Nothing is wrong with secular music.”
If you haven't felt convicted personally regarding your music choices, it's possible that you're either unaware of its impact or have become desensitized. Claiming that "there's nothing wrong with secular music" is inaccurate. Most secular songs promote lust, violence, drunkenness, and drug abuse, encouraging a lifestyle contrary to God’s commands. Some lukewarm Christians might compromise here due to the challenge of breaking this habit. However, the difficulty of letting go doesn't justify maintaining it; rather, it suggests the opposite. Worldly music inevitably influences our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. God loves music. He created it, intended for His glory, to inspire praise and uphold righteousness, not to promote sin.
Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
“No one will date me if I abstain from sex.”
Any relationship that compromises your obedience to God isn't aligned with His will. If a partner fails to respect your desire to remain pure, they're not the one meant for you. Don't allow this thought to lead you into sexual immorality. The right partner will honor and respect your commitment to God while ensuring it is fulfilled.
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
“I have a relationship with God. I don’t need to go to church.”
Having a personal relationship with God doesn't negate the importance of the fellowship He intends for us to experience. The Bible emphasizes the need to participate in a community of believers, highlighting our interconnectedness as members of one body.
Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
“God created weed, what’s wrong with smoking?”
Many of God’s creations have been diverted from their intended purposes, with weed as a prime example. Originally designed as medicine, it has been corrupted by the world’s desire for temporary pleasure or recreational use, leading many astray. Marijuana temporarily relieves discomfort, yet it ultimately hinders our progress, distracting us from the true fulfillment that only God can provide.
“I was born this way.”
Although we are all born into sin, God does not desire that we conform to our fleshly desires and sinful nature. We are to be transformed into His image and made Holy, renewing our minds daily in pursuit of righteousness. When our minds are not aligned to God’s will and our hearts harden, our emotions will lead us astray. A hardened heart will justify sinful behavior with the excuse, “I was born this way” or “this is who I am.” Jesus invites us to come as we are, but not to remain unchanged.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”