"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." (Matthew 13:18-23)

In Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love, Chan talked about the state of the American church, that it seems that there is something wrong or something missing in American Christianity when comparing it to the church in the New Testament. The book came to the topic of people within the church who instead have a wholehearted love for God, they have a partial and lukewarm love for God. In fact, Chan claims that "a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron." "Churchgoers who are 'lukewarm' are not Christians." (p. 84) He's saying that there are people in the church that are labeled "Christian" that are not Christians.

And I agree with him. The Church is not about the building, it's about the people who represent the body of Christ. Though this is not the main problem (Chan stated that the main problem is people having an incorrect view of God, the "why" to the problem), God deserves all of our love, not partial. Chan gave a list of descriptions of what a lukewarm person would act in the Christian community. This list is not a complete list of what the definition of what Lukewarm people are, and it is not intended to be used to judge your fellow believers' salvation. This is for you. This is to examine yourself, like what 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, to "examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."

"My caution to you is this: Do not assume you are good soil." (p. 67)

Lukewarm People...

1) ...attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go. (Isaiah 29:13)

2) ...give money to charity and to the church...as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? (1 Chronicles 21:24; Luke 21:1-4)

3) ...tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their heart and lives. (Luke 6:26; Rev. 3:1; Matt. 23:5-7)

4) ...don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don't really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. (John 10:10; Rom. 6:1-2)

5) ...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. (James 1:22; 4:17; Matt. 21:28-31)

6) ...rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, not do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. (Matt. 10:32-33)

7) ...gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren't as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. (Luke 18:11-12)

8) ...say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their lives, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives. (Luke 9:57-62)

9) ...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. (Matt. 22:37-38)

10) ...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. (Matt. 5:43-47; Luke 14:12-14)

11) ...will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give. (Luke 18:21-25)

12) ...think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to-do list, this week's schedule, and next month's vacation. Rarely, if even, do they intently consider the life to come. Regarding this, C.S. Lewis writes, "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this." (Phil. 3:18-20; Col. 3:2)

13) ...are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. They are quick to point out, "Jesus never said money is the root of all evil, only that the love of money is." Untold numbers of lukewarm people feel "called" to minister to the rich; very few feel "called" to minister to the poor. (Matt. 25:34, 40; Isa. 58:6-7)

14) ...do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be "good enough" without it requiring too much of them. They ask "How far can I go before it's considered a sin?" instead of "How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit?" They ask, "How much do I have to give?" instead of "How much can I give?" They ask "How much time should I spend praying and reading my Bible?" instead of "I wish I didn't have to go to work, so I could sit here and read longer!" (1 Chron. 29:14; Matt. 13:44-46)

15) ...are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God. (1 Tim. 6:17-18; Matt. 10:28)

16) ...feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, or live in America. Just as the prophets in the Old Testament warned Israel that they were not safe just because they lived in the land of Israel, so we are not safe just because we wear the label Christian or because some people persist in calling us a "Christian nation." (Matt. 7:21; Amos 6:1)

17) ...do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don't have to trust God if something unexpected happens--they have their savings account. They don't need God to help them--they have their retirement plan in place. They don't genuinely seek out what life God would have them live--they have life figured and mapped out. They don't depend on God on a daily basis--their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God. (Luke 12:16-21; see also Hebrews 11)

18) ...probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren't very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn't be more wrong. (Matt. 23:25-28)

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Remember, no one is totally immune to the behaviors described in these examples, but there is a difference between a life that is characterized by these sorts of mentalities and habits and a life that is in the process of being radically transformed. Do we have that desire to love God wholeheartedly, or are we content with the status quo of our lives, living with the label of "Christian" rather than living with a love for God.

"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. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:15-22)

I agree. I've done those things a bit. I'm making some progress on not being such religious church goer, and more getting real christian.

While I believe this to be an inspirational test, no. 1& 2 might sound a little offensive to some people, as it really depends on the person. If there is anyone convicted of this test, may we all ask for God’s help to be molded into the image of Christ that we may be pleasing to Him. As a potter molds the clay so does the Father mold us. We may seek to live devout Christian lives, but we must first seek God. A Spirit-filled life will result in all these things and beyond. It is as He leads. There is an indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the time we ask Christ to come into our lives, and there is also asking God to fill us with His Spirit for empowerment to live for Him.

tRIUNE : Well, I can see how the first might be offensive... but the first is not really evidence unless it is in addition to others, as strong Christians would really want to go as often as possible too.
The second, on the other hand, is very true. A true Christian would give as much as He feels God wants Him to, whether the person feels they have enough or not. A lukewarm Christian would only give the extra.

To my fault, this was worded wrong. My thought was going or not going to church & likewise tithing for some people doesn't determine weather they are hot or cold or lukewarm. Tithing, for an example may be a service to the Lord apart from money.

bigNATE :

tRIUNE :

Guys, remember what I wrote at the end of this post:

"Remember, no one is totally immune to the behaviors described in these examples, but there is a difference between a life that is characterized by these sorts of mentalities and habits and a life that is in the process of being radically transformed. Do we have that desire to love God wholeheartedly, or are we content with the status quo of our lives, living with the label of "Christian" rather than living with a love for God."

Maybe I should have left that 1st sentence out altogether. The latter part was meant to elaborate the thought of this thread.

Crap. Half of those are me. I'm recovering from extreme anger at God still, and am still angry. I'm also sick of feeling controlled by anyone. Even God. I'm always filled with anxiety when I'm stronger in my faith. I feel like I can only hope something will happen to change my mind. Doesn't help that half the people who have hurt me were Christian.

Unfortunately I think a lot of Christians are like this. Its sad because most of them think they're doing the right thing. Some of those are me and I am recovering so thank God I say.

KlawedFlaw : do you mind telling us what these Christians have done to you? I'm just curious.

play4fun : Bullied me. I've also had a kid who went and told me how I was playing something Satanic(Pokemon) when I was on the edge of you know what. The worst a Christian has done to me is actually threaten to kill me. He was bullying me for years, though. Also had one that harassed me because I wear boys' clothes, and am a girl.

I just feel jealous to an extent, due to having to deal with so much crap my own mental disorders throw at me, and I see so many Christians all happy about life. I don't get it, and wonder if God just wants me to be angry or something. I have no hatred towards any happy people, but I just feel so jealous. I always get the worst end of the stick it seems like. I may seem like I hate life, or hate what I am, but I don't. I'm fine with both, but I'm mad.

Almost every Christian I know knows nothing of what it's like to be so down... You just don't care if you go to Hell. It makes me happy that not everyone is like me, because it's best not to be, but it makes me feel like God is tired of hearing me vent, and be angry, and is just throwing anger at me. I also feel like I don't belong with any Christian.

KlawedFlaw : Wow, it's not like every Christian is happy, I for one have had a tough life and Christ has got me through it. I think it's encouraging to meditate on Romans 8:28-

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

or and/or 1 Peter 4:12 and 5:6-9-

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

tRIUNE : That actually was helpful.