Lukewarm Faith
The words of Jesus in Revelation stand as a solemn warning to those who claim to follow Him yet live in complacency. 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. (Revelation 3:15-17) These words reveal the tragic reality of many who believe themselves to be secure in their faith but have unknowingly embraced a false sense of righteousness.
Jesus continues to extend His invitation to individuals calling them to hear His voice and open the door of their hearts so that He may enter and transform their lives. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20) He seeks not mere acknowledgement but true fellowship where His presence changes every aspect of a person’s being. Yet many hesitate unwilling to relinquish their independence unwilling to see their own spiritual poverty.
Lukewarm faith is one of the most dangerous conditions a person can find themselves in. It is not outright rejection of Christ but rather a passive indifference to Him. It is attending church without being the Church it is speaking words of faith without living a life of faith it is believing in salvation without surrendering fully to the Savior. This state is so dangerous because it breeds self-deception. A person who is cold to the gospel may yet recognize their need for Christ but the one who is lukewarm believes they already have what they need while remaining distant from the power and presence of God.
During His time on earth Jesus warned about those who would come before Him convinced of their righteousness only to be turned away. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23) These sobering words remind us that religious activity is not the same as a relationship with Jesus. A person may be involved in ministry may be seen as a leader in the church may even perform acts that appear miraculous but without truly knowing Christ and being known by Him they are lost.
The invitation to true faith is one that requires humility. It demands an acknowledgment of one’s own inability to save themselves. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) The Pharisees in Jesus’ time struggled with this reality. They believed their obedience to the law made them righteous yet Jesus rebuked them saying Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. (Matthew 23:25) Their outward actions gave the illusion of holiness but their hearts were far from God.
Jesus does not call His followers to a half-hearted commitment. He calls them to full surrender to take up their cross daily and follow Him. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25) This kind of devotion is costly. It means abandoning worldly security in exchange for eternal riches. It means forsaking personal ambition for the will of God. It means that Jesus is not an addition to life but the very center of it.
Many hesitate at the cost of following Christ fearing what they must leave behind. The rich young ruler came to Jesus seeking eternal life but when confronted with the need to surrender his wealth he walked away sorrowful. Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack he said. Go sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me. At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:21-22) His heart was tied to his possessions more than to God and this love of worldly things kept him from fully entering into the life Jesus offered.
Jesus offers something far greater than what the world provides. He offers rest for the weary peace that surpasses understanding and eternal joy in His presence. Yet these gifts are given to those who seek Him with their whole heart. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) A divided heart cannot fully experience the power and presence of God. A person who attempts to serve both God and the world will find themselves unfulfilled in both. No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
Transformation begins when an individual acknowledges their need for Christ and submits to His lordship. It is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to walk in faith and obedience. It is a process of being renewed by the Spirit allowing God to refine and purify the heart. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) This renewal happens through prayer through the Word of God through fellowship with other believers and through the trials that test and strengthen faith.
God does not desire that any should remain lukewarm. He calls all to repentance to turn from complacency and to walk in the fullness of life that He provides. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) The call is urgent for no one knows the day or hour of the Lord’s return. Those who wait too long risk finding themselves unprepared like the foolish virgins who had no oil in their lamps when the bridegroom arrived. Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:13)
The invitation of Christ is one of grace love and redemption. To those who open the door He promises fellowship. To those who surrender all He gives eternal riches. To those who remain faithful He grants the privilege of reigning with Him. He does not call the strong but the weak. He does not call the righteous but the sinner. And to all who come to Him in faith He gives the right to become children of God. Yet to all who did receive him to those who believed in his name he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
May those who hear His voice respond. May those who have grown cold be rekindled with passion. May those who have settled for a shallow faith press deeper into the abundant life that Jesus offers. For He is the door to eternal life the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)