Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Lukewarm?

Ok...so I have just finished reading Francis' Chan's book: "Crazy Love." It's an incredible book by the way. There was one chapter in particular that kicked my butt. It was chapter on lukewarmness...is that a word? :) Here are a few excerpts about lukewarm people.

- 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?
- Lukewarm people are moved by stories about 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 weeks schedule, and next month's vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come.
- 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.
- Lukewarm 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.

There were many other statements regarding lukewarm people, all of which were followed by supporting scripture. So, what are your thoughts? Do you think these are accurate descriptions of people who are lukewarm?

I was convicted after reading the book, especially this chapter. I believe I had become lukewarm in many ways. My prayer is that God would "light a fire in my soul." As the song says, "Light a fire in my soul. Fan the flame. Make me whole. Lord you know where I've been, so light a fire in my soul again."

2 comments:

  1. Chad, I was similarly convicted when I listened to that portion of the book. Some people might think we have sacrificed a lot to come to Mongolia, and we have. But we also still live a very comfortable life, often too much focused on our own comfort and too oblivious to the deep needs around us.

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