Lukewarmness–An Enemy of Zeal

“It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel,” wrote Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love. “”It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church going, hollow-hearted prosperity.”

Condensed to one word that means–“lukewarm.”

While I don’t agree with all of Chan’s theology, his chapter describing the lukewarm Christian is uncomfortably too accurate. Phillip Shumake references it as the “Snapshot of a Lukewarm Christian” in his book “Lifelong Zeal.”

In order to develop, build and excel in our zeal, it’s necessary to take spiritual inventory of our heart as a beginning point. The Bible says, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

The Christians at the first century church at Laodicea failed the test (Rev. 3:14-22). They thought they were successful, but they were failures. They thought they were a healthy church, but they were sick. They thought they were abounding, but they were lacking. Their values had been compromised, their vision clouded, and their vigor dampened. They were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. So, Jesus graphically pronounced, “I will vomit you out of my mouth.”

Drawing from both Chan and Shumake, here is a partial profile of the Lukewarm Christian.

#1 Lukewarm Christians claim to love God, but He is not #1 in their lives.

Instead of seeking “first the Kingdom of God,” they have other priorities that take precedence. Oh, they attend when they can. Contribute a little. Maybe even engage in some ministry activities. But they’re not all in. They don’t love God with the whole of their being–heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37-39)

#2 “Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven.”

If we really believe our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), we will set our affections on things heavenly (Col. 3:1-2). However, so many “mind earthly things” and are consumed with material matters, physical concerns, and secular pursuits, that they crowd out spiritual issues.

#3 Lukewarm Christian see religion as valuable and the church as worthwhile, but they are not consumed by either.

Such individuals attend, give, and do just enough to satisfy what they perceive as the minimum requirements. Just enough to ease their conscience. Just enough to keep the preacher and the pastors off their backs. “Excel still more” (1 Thess. 4:1) is definitely not the motto of the lukewarm.

#4 Lukewarm Christians thank God for their prosperity, but do very little in sharing it with the less fortunate.

They may give some, but not enough to hamper their standard of living, or to make sacrifices. Paul’s extortion for those with financial means to “do good..be rich in good works…be ready to give…willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:17-18) seems to escape the lukewarm.

#5 Lukewarm Christians choose what is popular over what is right.

Too often they find themselves bring conformed to the world instead of being transformed by the gospel and becoming more like Christ (Rom. 12:1-2). The praise of men becomes more important than the praise of God (Matt 23:5-7)

#6 Lukewarm Christians may have good intentions, but fail to live a life of intentionally.

James’admonition is appropriate for the lukewarm, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin”

#7 Lukewarm Christians enjoy “good preaching” and are inspired by the good works of others, but fail to make the application to their lives.

Such folks need to seriously consider this warning. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, do what it says.”

Many other examples could be given to demonstrate the problem of lukewarmness. But these are sufficient for each of us to ask, “Is it I, Lord?”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman