Tough Thoughts

     I recently had a long dialogue with an atheist. At the end of our discussion, I told her I respected her for not being lukewarm. I'm tired of lukewarm. I'm tired of people saying they'll pray for someone but will make fun of God in a group of people. I'm tired of watching people make the effort to attend church but you know in your heart they don't believe a word of it. Why bother at all? Hey, at least allow yourself the luxury of sleeping in on Sunday if you hate the creator!

     I know I'm sharing a lot of Francis Chan but his book "Crazy Love" has hit a nerve with me and challenged me to get off the fence. God is loving and forgiving to those who want to live for Him, but the Bible tells us He will spit lukewarm Christians out of His mouth! No kidding! This list from Chapter 4 of "Crazy Love" may make you feel really yucky...I know it hit me right where it hurts. And for those who are reading this who are not believers, I hope this list helps you realize that not everyone you know who claims to be a Christian is one.

1. Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe good Christians do, so they go.

2. Lukewarm people 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?

3. Lukewarm people 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 hearts and lives.

4: Lukewarm people 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.

5. Lukewarm people are moved by stories of 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.

6. Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.

7. Lukewarm people 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.

8. Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives, their money, and their thoughts, but he isn't allowed to control their lives.

9. Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn't really possible for the average person; its only for pastors and missionaries and radicals.

10. Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love for others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is a 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.

11. Lukewarm people 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.

12. Lukewarm people 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 ever do they intently consider the life to come.

13. Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor.

14. Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be good enough without requiring too much of them.

15. Lukewarm people 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.

16. Lukewarm people 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.

17. Luke warm people 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.

18. Lukewarm people 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.

Jesus said “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.” (Rev 3:15-17)

     But we can never be perfect enough for God and that's where grace comes in. When we give Him our lives, He looks at us as though our sin is not there at all. And when you truly understand the implications of how amazing that is, you will never want to be lukewarm again.

Confessions of a Former Christian Athiest

     Not long ago, I was focused on "stuff".  I wanted my house to resemble Pottery Barn and my kids to have the latest fashions.  I constantly sought out new ideas for making as much money as possible to buy myself more stuff. 

     Not long ago, I was focused on politics.  I read editorials, books and listened to the news constantly.  I worried about where the world was headed and stayed angry at politicians bent on taking away our liberties.  I wasted many precious hours stewing over how evil and bad our nation's leaders were becoming.  Being mad was a constant state of being.

     Not long ago, I was focused on "fixing" all the problems that would arise in my life.  I felt as if I could handle every problem with the right method or the right self-help book.  When the problem wasn't fixed, I'd feel insecure about my parenting skills or inadequate as a person.

     Not long ago, I thoroughly enjoyed talking about people.  Gossip was my middle name and gossip sessions with the gals were my game.  By talking about the faults of others, I felt better about myself in the short term.

     So am I saying all this to say I'm perfect now and don't do any of these things anymore?  Are you kidding?  Daily... no hourly, I sin.  There could not be a more imperfect person than me.  I'm saying this to explain the change in my worldview.  I started thinking about the claims I was making for myself.  I considered myself a Christian.  And yet, I was living as if He didn't exist.  I was a Christian athiest.  If I truly believed and relied on Him, I wouldn't fret about the future, worldly problems or amassing stuff.

     But I did believe and realized that belief had to change the very core of my being.  Did He not command the galaxies and speak every cell in my body into existence?  Did He not give us the simple commands to love Him, love our neighbor as ourselves and to use our gifts to further His kingdom?  Did He not tell us that this life will pass away and only what's done for Him will last?

     The God of the Universe doesn't deserve our leftovers.  Author and pastor, Frances Chan said, "our greatest fear as an individual should not be of failure, but of succeeding in life at things that don't really matter."   My worries, fears and sins have been about this world and my obsession with it.  But guess what?  Those things really just don't matter so much.  I personally know people who have suffered more loss and pain than any human should ever go through.  But I fully believe that in their suffering, He showed His power.  God knows their suffering is only for a time.  Great will be the rewards of those who love Him. Nothing in this life will ever matter unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made.  

     Since "getting it", my life has changed significantly.  During a heated political debate, I sometimes just leave the room.  God is in control and He doesn't want us to live in fear.  I simply don't care much anymore.   I've read the back of the book and I'm pretty sure He wins in the end.  I still like pretty things, but amassing them and having more or better than others holds no appeal.  Pursuing pleasure is not why we were created.  Putting God right there in the front and center of your life starts to change you from within.  The Bible can become more interesting than the latest bestseller.  Hearing about God is better than any movie. 

     Living eternally can allow us to let go of our worries and  God will forgive us of our lukewarmness.  The gospel brings joy, not just from the fact that we are forgiven but also in knowing that our imperfect obedience in this life is covered by the blood of Jesus.  Don't live for the worries and pleasures of this life.  They are fleeting.  I pray I use my earthly time to love God, love and serve others and to share the gospel.  Eternity is forever.


*the video above is Francis Chan speaking about a chapter in his book, "Crazy Love".  It happened to go along well with the points I was trying to make.

An Eternal Perspective

     The more I read, study and know God...the more I realize that life here on this earth is but a snippet of time in what is eternity.  My prayer is that I am able to use my life here for earthly service.  With an eternal perspective, we start being less concerned about hoarding possessions and seeking a life of leisure.  Our joy comes from Christ and we are here to fulfill our purpose which is to further God's kingdom.  I remember the old song, "Only one life, so soon 'twill pass, only what's done for Christ will last."  The question is...do we believe He is the creator of the universe and that His words to us about Heaven and Hell are true?  If so, things with me have to change. 

     I love to read or listen to Francis Chan and I've posted this video on my facebook before. But it seemed fitting to share it here.