Are You Lukewarm?

A while back, I met someone at church who, from the outside, seemed to have their spiritual life all together. This person was always one of the first to arrive for services, actively participated in leading a small group, and seemed really engaged in everything at church. But one day, they shared something with me that was quite surprising. They said, "Honestly, even though I'm doing all these things—attending church, leading groups, and praying—I feel empty inside. It’s like I’m just going through the motions without any real connection to my faith. It's been ages since I last felt genuinely moved or excited by anything spiritual."

This conversation was a real eye-opener for me because it showed how easy it is to appear spiritually rich on the outside while feeling disconnected and lukewarm on the inside. It's a reminder that our spiritual health isn't just about our external actions but about our internal engagement and passion for Jesus. What do you think about that? Have you ever felt something similar in your own spiritual journey?

1. What is Lukewarm?

In Revelation 3:16, Jesus doesn’t just critique the church in Laodicea for being tepid; He is calling out a spiritual complacency that is dangerously easy to slip into. Lukewarm faith is that comfortable middle ground where there's no real commitment to growth or transformation. It's attending church not out of a hunger for righteousness or a desire to worship in community, but out of habit or societal expectation. It’s occasionally reading the Bible, not with a thirst to know God more deeply, but as a checklist item, done without much thought or reflection.

This lukewarm state can be likened to a cup of coffee that was once hot, full of flavor and inviting, but has now settled into a tepid, unappealing state that is neither refreshing nor energizing. Just as that lukewarm coffee has lost its appeal, so too can our faith lose its vitality and impact when it is not actively maintained and stirred up.

Moreover, a lukewarm heart does not experience the deep, transformative work of the Gospel. It's a heart that hears the word of God but doesn’t let it penetrate deeply or change anything in a meaningful way. James 1:22 warns us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” This is the opposite of lukewarm living—actively applying the Word to our lives, allowing it to challenge us, change us, and propel us forward in our spiritual journey.

Lukewarm Christianity can also manifest in a selective obedience to God. It picks and chooses what's convenient to follow, ignoring the harder teachings that require significant personal sacrifice or change. It's a faith that practices generosity when it's easy or visible but withholds when it's costly or unseen. It forgives only when it benefits oneself, not out of a pure desire to live out Christ’s command to love unconditionally.

In essence, lukewarm faith is safe, comfortable, and ultimately self-serving. It resists the stirring of the Holy Spirit and quenches the fire that once burned to know and make known the glory of God. Jesus’s harsh rebuke to spit out such tepid faith serves as a stern reminder: the kingdom of God is not advanced by half-hearted, lukewarm followers, but by those ablaze with love for God and His people.

This expanded understanding invites us to examine our own hearts and ask sincerely: Are we content with merely 'good enough' or are we striving, with the Spirit's empowerment, for a faith that truly reflects the heat of our first love for Jesus?

2. How Do I Know if I Am Lukewarm?

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if our faith is cooling off. Here’s how you can check if you might be getting lukewarm:

- Decisions and Actions: Think about the choices you made last week. Did you think about what Jesus would do in your situation? Did you choose to do something because you knew it’s what Jesus wants?

- Talking About Faith: When was the last time you talked to someone who isn’t from church about your beliefs? Was it a deep talk, where you really got into what you believe and why, or has it been a while since you’ve had that kind of conversation?

- Living Differently: Look at how you live your life. Are the things you do and the way you behave different from people who don’t follow Jesus? Or, does your life look pretty much the same as theirs?

If these questions make you squirm a bit or if you realize that Jesus isn’t really a big part of your everyday decisions and conversations, it could be a sign that your faith is lukewarm.

Being lukewarm means sitting in the middle—maybe you go to church and know about Jesus, but it doesn’t really change how you live from day to day. It’s like having a gym membership but never going to work out. You’re not really getting any stronger or healthier, you just have the card.

So, if you're seeing these signs in your life, it’s a wake-up call. It's time to turn up the heat, get back into shape spiritually, and let Jesus really move in your life.

3. How to Get in Sync with Jesus

If you’re starting to feel like your faith isn’t as strong as it used to be, don’t worry. Getting back in tune with Jesus is all about being honest with Him and yourself. It starts with a real heart check. Admit to Him that you’ve been feeling distant. Decide to let Jesus into every part of your day. Talk to Him not just when you wake up or before you eat, but all through the day. Read the Bible like it’s your go-to guide for life. And don’t keep your faith to yourself—when you talk about it with others, it makes your own faith stronger.

We shouldn’t be okay with just going through the motions. We need to really feel our faith! Let’s get so excited about Jesus that other people can see that warmth and excitement in us. Remember, Jesus didn’t call us to just be comfortable. He called us to be active, passionate, and truly free in our faith.

So, as we finish up today, think about one thing you can do this week to really heat up your faith. Maybe you start your day with a prayer, have a real talk about your beliefs with a friend, or make it a point to read your Bible every day. Choose something that will help you grow hotter in your faith, not just stay warm.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with open hearts, seeking a deeper connection with Your Spirit. Lord, we confess that sometimes we find ourselves going through the motions, much like Sarah, participating in activities without feeling the fire of true passion in our hearts.

Father, reignite that flame within us. Help us to not just do, but to feel—to not just act, but to truly believe with every fiber of our being. Renew our enthusiasm for our faith and for the works You call us to perform. Let our service not be just a duty, but a joyful offering born of a vibrant and living faith.

Pour out Your Spirit upon us, that we might experience the fullness of Your presence in our daily lives. Open our eyes to see You in the small moments and the big decisions. Draw us closer to You each day, and let our hearts be stirred by Your love and Your truth.

Teach us to seek You first, trusting that everything else will follow. Let our paths be guided by Your light, and let our actions be inspired by Your Holy Word. May our lives reflect the depth of our commitment to You, shining as beacons of hope and faith in a world that needs Your love.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.