Thursday, February 18, 2010

Lukewarm Christianity, Nothing Christian About It

I have a feeling that this post may potentially anger some people. I hope not, I'm not wanting to make people angry, it's against my nature, but if that's a by product of the Truth, then let people be angry. Jesus made plenty of people angry with the Truth. The prophets sure weren't well liked, and God has revealed to me that I have a gift for prophecy. By that I mean not Old Testament, future predicting prophecy, but New Testament "given the power to preach repentance to those who do not want to hear the message and to warn of God's wrath for disobedience" prophecy. Oh and thanks Wikipedia, for the excellent way of wording it. It's safe to say that this would fall into that category.

What this would be is simple. Pretenders and Posers. Or as the hip term for it is today, "Lukewarm and Casual Christianity". I'm sure most, if not all, have read of this or heard of it. It's an affliction affecting the Church in America. It's the idea of halfhearted faith and a lack of commitment to Christ. It's a disease that Satan uses to give people the belief that they are "okay" when they aren't! So many people are illusioned to think they are saved but are they? They can say they prayed a prayer, they can go to church, but if there aren't good fruits. I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe. I'm not here to talk you out of your salvation. I am going to question it though, for your sake, and the Church's. I'm asking you to look into your own heart and ask what's your motivation, what's your drive, where's your good fruit. Because, if you don't, then before you know it, a day is going to come when the Judge will and by then it'll be far too late.

Our nation has become content with churchgoing and religion, but I ask you, where is Christ? He sure is talked about and everyone seems to gather to meet with Him, did He not get the memo? Or is it that we are missing something. I'd say it's best to go with the latter. Where is your heart? The Church in a lot of places is content with believing, showing up on Sunday and Wednesdays, and calling it Christianity. To put it as simple as I can: that ain't cuttin' it. Even the demons believe guys.

In Revelation, Jesus addresses a letter to Laodicea. A church eerily like that of the American church. He tells the He knows all that they do and while they aren't cold, they aren't hot either. He wishes that they would just pick a side rather than toeing the line. He then goes on to say because they choose to sit on the fence, that He will spit them from His mouth.  He goes on to talk about their wealth and contentment. He counters them by telling them they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Ouch. From hero to zero, huh? How many of us are that way? Tell me, if Jesus was before you right now, would He say: "I know you friend, come sit with me." or would he say "I heard you call my name, but who are you?". It terrifies me, but I'm frightened that quite possibly a majority of "Christians" would fall in that second group. I have a sincere deep fear that a few of my most beloved friends are in that group. It comes down to truly calling on the name of the Lord. Something Demian Farnworth makes clear in his article on the subject:

"Ultimately, a genuine Christian, among other things, obeys God’s commands, reject this evil world, longs for Jesus’ return, loves other Christians and discerns between truth and error. Only when a person submits to the will of God can he accurately be described as “calling on the Lord.” And only then can he enjoy great confidence in his eternal salvation."
Need I say more on that?
When it comes to matters of the heart, it always at some point, involves love. Is there something you are having an affair with? Something you are loving more than Christ? You hear people talking about their relationships say: "Oh, I couldn't live with out him or her, they are my world!" Well what about God? The One you are meant to love above all?

Let's talk hypothetically here for a second. What if right this very moment you were told to sell everything you owned and give it to the poor. Would you? What if you were told to leave behind your parents, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, work, and friends and then follow? Would you? What if you were told to cut off your hand or pluck out your eye to keep from sinning? Would you be able to?

I'm not trying to convince you to do these things. I'm making a point. How far are you willing to go for God? How far are you going for God? How much are you willing to risk for this Love? Abraham risked his son. Gideon risked his army. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego risked their lives. When you truly love someone, there are no limits to what you will do for them. You also won't strive for the bare minimum. You would do what was asked and then some! If you love God, you'll follow his commands. Just as Christ obeyed the Father. Are you doing that? Honestly? Or are you putting more time in excuses and defenses and alibis then His Word?

I love the way Switchfoot puts this in their song Yet.
"If it doesn't break your heart
It isn't love
If it doesn't break your heart
It's not enough"
That's how it needs to be with Christ, your heart should be breaking over your lack of commitment, just as it breaks Christ's heart to watch us not live the life He has for us. A man I look up to in a big way, Tony Nolan, showed a picture the other day, of a sign in a hockey locker room that said: "Play the game. Don't watch it." Are we doing this? Or are we on the bench? If so it's not God's doing. He is yelling for us to get out there and get in the game. It's got to be on us. It's time we stand up and say we aren't happy with "okay", we want something more filling. God sure isn't happy with "okay". For some this isn't directed at you, some are doing quite fine, but it never hurts to look into your motivation. Others it's time to step up and decide. Search your heart and make some decisions. I'll be here. 


Much Love,
Luke
"I'm finished making sense
Done pleading ignorance
That whole defense
Spinning infinity, but
The wheel is spinning me
It's never ending, never ending
Same old story
What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?" - The Pretender - Foo Fighters

5 comments:

Demian Farnworth said...

Well said, Luke. I love what you are doing here. You've got a new subscriber and new friend. ;-)

Luke said...

Thanks so much Demian! =D

TRUTH SHARER said...

Luke:

You wrote:
"I'm not wanting to make people angry, it's against my nature, but if that's a by product of the Truth, then let people be angry. Jesus made plenty of people angry with the Truth....The prophets sure weren't well liked, and God has revealed to me that I have a gift for prophecy."

The word 'prophesy' in the NT Greek as I understand it is really defined as:
"Sharing the TRUTH that has already been revealed." You are correct - it is not the same as the prophesy of the OT which was and is and is yet to be fulfilled.

It is a deep understanding of the TRUTH of JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said, "I AM the Way the TRUTH and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]

Simple enough verse and most of us have it memorized in one version or another......but do we understand that JESUS IN THE TRUTH? That means that THROUGH HIS LIFE, DEATH and RESURRECTION from the dead, the [TRUTH] is revealed to us already - and it IS our job to share that 'gospel' Word!

It even encompasses a better question than the one put out there often as: WWJD? 'What Would Jesus Do?' .... The better question is: WDJS? 'What Did Jesus Say?'

We can only guess what He might do in any situation and because He's GOD - He usually does what we least expect. BUT.... we CAN be SURE of what HE SAID. Because ... it will never change, NEVER! He doesn't make exceptions to our situations and circumstances because His TRUTH is perfect and RIGHT and BEST. He said it - we must believe it - and respond to it, accordingly.

Never be afraid of sharing the TRUTH! Thanks for your boldness! And yes indeed, we are 'given the power to share it..."

Choosing JOY, Stephanie
JESUS ONLY in 2010

Patrinas Pencil said...

As Always, Luke, an awesome read! I hope and pray that those that the Lord places on your heart will eventually learn about your/our God from your bold pen here! May He continue to enlarge your territory for Chrsit and Christ alone.

Blessings, my friend ~ Patrina <")>><

Luke said...

Excellent insight Stephanie! You speak the absolute truth in saying that God does what he pleases, yet will ALWAYS stick to His Word. Thank you for the encouragement also. =)

Patrina: Thanks as always! The glory of course, all goes to God! =D

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