Definition of LUKEWARM
1: moderately warm : tepid
2: lacking conviction : halfhearted <gave them only lukewarm support>
(thank you, merriam-webster.com)
I think that definition will be helpful as we begin to look at the profile of the lukewarm….
In today’s lesson, Francis Chan gives us several questions to ask ourselves as we take a look at how we {might} fit the profile of a lukewarm Christian. Have you ever heard this term before? Well, based on the definition of “lukewarm” shown above, A Lukewarm Christian would be one who is not living an “all in” type of life following Christ. What does that look like in real life? Well…let’s take a look at some of these questions Chan asks and see how that helps us put together this profile:
- Has your relationship with God actually changed the way you live?
- Do you see evidence of God’s kingdom in your life? (Or are you choking it out slowly by spending too much time, energy, money, and thought on the things of this world?
- Are you satisfied being “godly enough” to get yourself to heaven, or to look good in comparison to others? (Or can you say with Paul that you “…want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” (Phillippians 3:10)?
- Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? (Or do the words half-hearted, lukewarm, and partially committed fit better?)
The rest of the week’s lessons are going to go into further detail about these descriptions…today is just to start preparing our hearts for the convicting ideas that Chan will be throwing our way. This is certainly not an easy chapter (have we had one yet?) but I believe it is necessary to our Christian walk to be REAL with ourselves and start taking every necessary step to walk the walk God calls us to in order to live out our faith in this world.
Here is a short interview with Chan I found where he discussed this. Please, please, please…watch <3
Let’s Pray:
Lord, this week we are getting super real and we need your help. Father, we want to be changed…from the inside out. We know this won’t be easy or fun, but we understand that it is necessary. We can only do this with You. Help to prepare our hearts today for what You will through Chan’s lessons this week and change us, Lord! We no longer want to be lukewarm, but be burning HOT, on fire, in crazy love with you! Help us, Father. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, amen. <3
Your assignment:
I simply want to hear what some of the thoughts are that are swirling around in your spirit after reading this post and watching the video. We get way more in-depth tomorrow, so for today…as we scratch the surface…what’s on your mind about being “lukewarm” in your faith? How can we best be lifting you in prayer?
Blessings,
Megan 🙂
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This is a hard chapter!!!! I just finished my blog and it is so amazing how God puts us all on the same wavelenght for this!!! Some things to think about this week! (as if we didn't think everyweek in this study!) Looking forward to the things of God!! Thanks Megan!
I agree, Donna….. and I can;t wait to see what He does through this week's lessons! WE CAN DO THIS through Him who gives us strength <3
I thought to myself surely I am not lukewarm! Then I kept reading…. Ouch.
Like peeling an onion…one layer at a time!
Right!
Yep…. ouch!!!!! BUT… such an AWESOME wake-up call!!!!
I kept reading…. I couldn't stop.
truly a 'from the inside out' process. oh…and not that i can let myself be deceived that i can do this on my own! 'Lord, please help me with my heart so that my actions are the evidence that i DO 'love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength.' (psalms 18:1) <3
AMen, Coleen <3 God, be with us <3
Honestly, I am kind of scared to read further. But, I am praying that God uses this chapter to convict me and show me how I can change and be on fire for Him 🙂
Standing in prayer with you, dear sister!
'if we ever needed You…Lord, it's now…' i'm thinking that is a good place to be/remain. <3
break our hearts for what breaks yours, Lord!!!!!
Do we have to confess our sins publicly?? My thoughts are: "warm me up, Lord." Nothing like the power of the Holy Spirit's conviction.
oh yes… warm us up!!! stoke that fire, Lord!!!!
When I read the first of the chapter at 6 this morning I had two thoughts, "Ouch" and "I think I'm scared to read further." I see from reading the posts that many of us think alike.:-)
Chan's caution, "do not assume you are good soil" really struck a chord and has me thinking more deeply about my commitment.
I loved that quote! it is so true.,… there is such danger in assuming we are good soil. We are in constant need of refinement and pruning <3
I pretty much consider myself a “God-chaser”, zealous-for-God. Then I started reading this chapter. Ouch! Mr. Chan goes deep…really deep. This reading will be a good thing (a “God-thing”)!
Amen, Patty!!!! I have seen many women shut the book at this point and walk away…. let's persevere and choose to be DIFFERENCE-MAKERS!!!!!!
I had a face-to-carpet soul-wrenching talk with the Lord about this section.I have been satisfied with "being godly enough". I shied away from the last part of the verse that says "fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death"! Lord, thank you for the conviction, and thank you for the grace for are going to give me to make some changes in my life!
Thank you Lord!!!! Give us all fierce boldness that only comes from YOU!!! <3
I know I have been a lukewarm Christian, just going through the motions. Pray that I stay strong in God's word and lean on him for strength, wisdom, guidance, patience, and love so I am that witness people see that say I want she has.
Michelle, I'm standing right along with you as a Iuke warm Christian. I don't want to be warm. I don't want to be spit out of His mouth! I try to listen to His voice on the "big" decisions of life, but go about my business on the rest!! My prayer is to be so in tune with God that I think on Him constantly. That I know Him intimately and that every thought is preceeded by, what is your will Lord? That I am in FIRE for Him and that others see Christ in me and want that as well. Chan has got me in a place where I can't ignore it any more. Thank you Lord!!!
another WOW…this really hit home. Do not assume you are good soil. We think that we are doing good and serving our God and in reading this chapter just lets me know that I am just hitting the surface….I want to more that Lukewarm for Him…I need to be going through the roof for Him