What Does It Mean to Be Lukewarm?
What does it mean to be lukewarm, neither cold nor hot? Does it mean to be spiritually weak, feeble, tempted or of little strength? No. A bruised reed shall he not break and smoking flax shall he not quench.
‘A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory’ (Matthew 12:20).
‘For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin’ (Hebrews 4:15).
If these were only weak, feeble and discouraged, Christ with divine gentleness and sympathy would have encouraged and strengthen them rather than rebuking and chastising them. They were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked spiritually. It was a congregation of sinners and backsliders professing to be Christians. They were vile and sinful, pitiable and without the robe of righteousness. They were insincere, religious hypocrites and harder to win to Christ than cold, irreligious sinners.
‘(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?’ (John 7:39-41).
The Nonchalant Church Members
There are some members of the church which are nonchalant and can never be moved, no matter the move of God in their midst. They come to church but will not contribute positively or show concern. They are just on the fence, doing nothing.
‘And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his Father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him’ (Matthew 21:23-32).
Religious Knowledge Without Relationship
Religious people are very knowledgeable and they know many things but they do not have relationship with God through Christ. They are faultfinders, always looking for an excuse to accuse the righteous. When I was growing up in my village, I discovered two groups of people, idol worshippers and church people. Christians and none Christians, unbelievers and believers. It was clearly defined to the understanding of even a fool. The church people, believers or Christians were collection of those who are called of God to be His children and they responded, purchased, cleansed from sin and their names written in heaven.
‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood’ (Acts 20:28).
These sets of believers in my village are visible church Christians. They are the assembly of people who are saved and they usually come together regularly to worship and fellowship
‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’ (John 13:34-35).
‘Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican’ (Matthew 18:15-17).
They are saved from their sins, separated from the world; they were always in fellowship with God, and with one another. Many of them were poor but they were always happy, without worry and anxiety. They have definite relationship with Christ. They go to church and regular bible studies, fellowships, prayers and soul winning were their hallmark. In their meeting days, bible studies, they assemble to study, learn, love, learn how to lean on God. The lives of all their members glorify God, keep bible doctrines and preach to none members. They worship God together, care for others, especially their members. They were faithful at home, at work and prayerful at all time
‘And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers’ (Acts 2:42).
‘Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you’ (Hebrews 13:17).
‘And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:11-12).
‘Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word’ (Acts 8:4).
‘Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort’ (1Timothy 6:1).
‘Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things’ (Titus 2:9-10).
‘I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting’ (1Timothy 2:8). ‘Pray without ceasing’ (1Thessalonians 5:17).