I feel like writing this because of the fear I sometimes have for myself, and others in the world. People who claim they are christian, but only have an hours of 'God time' a week or so. The ones who go home and talk more about money than God, care more about looks than the heart, have an open-mindedness towards what sin truly is, and dream more about being successful than getting into heaven. It is a shame what this world has come to, and even worse that these 'christians' are giving in. It strongly gets to me how so many worry more about this life they live in now, more than their eternal one. Nothing you gain on earth will you take after you die! Not your house, not your 401k, not your car, or your material items. So what are we holding onto these things so dearly for? Why is our mind so focused on money, success, rising to the top, or being the best. Infact, ask yourself what you talk about most. When you really love something or have your mind set on something, you talk about it more than anything else. What are your talking priorities? Is it your business, trying to grow others in Christ, your money, or how you want more?
Honestly, what else in this world could you possibly do that would be more fufilling and life changing than living a life for God? People who have everything they could possibly want or need still live life miserably because of an emptiness in their heart. They have worries, struggles, problems with having faith and knowing that God will take care of them if they trust and obey Him. It's the ones that have next to nothing that are most humble and satisfied with life. When you have nothing you can put your hope in everything, but when you have everything it seems like you have nothing else to hope for.
So what does a Christian home and lifestyle look like? Just take a look at how Jesus' lived, because he is the ultimate example for us all. Though the phrase is commonly used, WWJD? If you really use this throughout your day it helps tremendously. Would Jesus handle this in this manner, would Jesus yell over this little thing, would Jesus allow my child to talk to way, would Jesus want me to do this? The list goes on, and I'm sure you get it. A christian home should be somewhere you want into where you feel relieved, peaceful, and humble. God's home is heaven, and though our homes will never be a heaven, we should always strive to make them as Godly as possible. If we don't sit down and notice what we are doing that Christ would not do, that he wouldn't say, talk like, or participate in... then we need to change. So many people are being lukewarm Christians and forgetting about the relationship you need other than just the religious label. When people look at you what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind? Is it 'He is so Godly!', 'He talks about money constantly...', 'She complains all the time', or 'Shes eco friendly.' What is it that people notice you for? If it's not that you are a CHRISTIAN then maybe it's time to change some things! If the words, advice, and language that are coming out of your mouth are not honoring to God.. change! If the things you are watching in movies, tv, or in life are not honoring to God.. change! If the music or people you are listening to everyday are not honoring to God.. change! Don't procrastinate or wait, because God could come any day now. When judgement day comes you cannot take back or redo anything in your life. When God asks you why you continuted to sin despite the fact you knew his word and what he wanted what will you say?
"So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." - Rev 3:16
Like water, lukewarm is not what people want. Jesus lived a life on fire for God, and expects the same out of us. Maybe you think your not meant to be an evagelist or a Jesus-freak, but why not? Is it because you want a career that you gain wealth in or that you don't want to spend your time at church? Maybe you cannot see the true happiness, love, joy, and peace in their lives that God has brought upon them for serving Him instead of the world.
"So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against* the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ,* you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world."
- 1 Cor 11:27-32
When was the last time you examined yourself? Not those around you; your friends, family, chuch- but you! How do you live, talk, act, honor, or praise God? What are your top priorities HONESTLY? What are you truly living for? Are you living for God, or the world? Is that holy spirit conscious kicking in telling you what you are doing wrong, or have you conformed to the world in feeling that money, anger, jealously, looks, drinking, sex, and etc are all okay? Are you making that change in your life for God, or are you going to regret it all when judgement day or the rapture happens?
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” —Matthew 12:36-37
A few questions - following a website to go to for more details!
1 - Do Cares & Worries of This Life Dominate Most of Your Thoughts & Conversations?
2 - Do You Practice Sin on a Regular Basis?
3 - Do You "Love" The Things of This World More Than God's Word?
4 - Are You Too Busy for Jesus? What are Your Priorities?
5 - Do You Use God's Name In Vain? ('Oh My G-d?')
6 - Do You Fail to Pray Earnestly & Pray for the Lost Who Will Spend Eternity in Hell?
7 - Do You Fail to Preach the Gospel on a Regular Basis? OR Do You Hinder Others?
8 - Are You Indifferent About Your Sin? What is Your Attitude?
9 - Do You Seek After Worldly Wealth & Fame vs Seeking First The Kingdom of God?
10-Do You Fail to Obey Jesus, and God's Word Consistently?
http://so4j.com/lukewarm-christian-test.php
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