PLEASE DON'T READ THE FOLLOWING!

Recently, I spoke from Revelation 3:14-22 about being a dispassionate (lukewarm) follower of Jesus. While preparing the message I came across this list describing a lukewarm Christian and I felt it was important enough to share with a broader audience. It is convicting, so only read it if you desire a greater devotion to Christ. My prayer is that many of us will be stirred to repentance and a more passionate devotion to Him.

• Lukewarm people attend worship fairly regularly because they think that is what they have to do, not what they want to do.
• Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They care more about what people think about their actions than what God thinks of their hearts.
• Lukewarm people do not really want to be saved from their sins. They only want to be saved from the penalty of their sins.
• Lukewarm people do not believe that the new life in Christ is really better than the old sinful life.
• Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people feel uncomfortable by talking about personal issues like religion.
• Lukewarm people gauge their “goodness” by comparing themselves to others. They are satisfied as long as they aren’t as “bad” as someone else.
• Lukewarm people say they love Jesus and Jesus is a part of their lives. But only a part! They give him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but he isn’t allowed to control their lives.
• Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They assure themselves by thinking that this sort of total devotion is not really possible for the average person.
• Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more than they do about eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation.
• Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t much different from the typical unbeliever.
• Lukewarm people walk by sight, not by faith. They do not trust their lives to God, but trust in themselves.