The lukewarm Christian is discontent and unhappy.
He no longer finds fulfillment in the things of the present world that he once did, yet he is not seeking and enjoying fulfillment in the things of God either. He is wandering in no-man’s land between Christianity as Christ would have it lived and worldliness as it is indulged by the worlding. Sadly, many Christians are in this very boat. As Paul wrote, “All seek their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 2:21).
There is only one solution.
Determine, with God’s help, to live in the full potential of the new life that you profess. As Romans 6:4 says, “We are buried with him by baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should live in newness of life.” Galations 2:19-20 adds, “I am crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ” If you are dead with Christ to the world, then walk as one dead to the world. Don’t give in to its siren songs which plead for you to waste your time, money, and attention on things that are passing away. Live for things that have eternal value.
Five exhortations to serious Christianity:
- 2 Timothy 2:3
“Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man at war entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.” - 1 Timothy 6:6-12
“They that want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare … For the love of money gives root to every kind of evil … But you, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith.” - Hebrews 12:1
Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” - Hebrews 11:24-27
“By faith Moses, when he was come of years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of reward.” - Galations 6:14
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Five passages on the reward of the believer for his efforts:
- 2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction , which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” - Hebrews 6:10
“For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward his name.” - 1 Peter 1:3-4
“God … has begotten us again (the new birth) … to an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that does not fade, reserved in heaven for you.” - Romans 8:16-17
“We are the children of God. And if children, then heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” - Matthew 6:20
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves neither break in nor steal.”
Five passages on help and strength from the Word of God:
- Psalm 119:9
“How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed to your word.” - John 8:31
“If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” - Romans 10:17
“Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God.” - Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” - 2 Peter 1:19
“We have the prophetic word further confirmed, which you do well to heed, as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.”
Five passages on help and strength from the Lord:
- Ephesians 3:16
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” - Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able [to bear], and will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” - Philippians 4:19
“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” - Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Five passages on the potential of faith:
- Ephesians 6:16
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench every fiery dart of the Wicked One.” - 1 John 5:4
“Whosoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” - 1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking men to devour. Resist him resist stedfast in the faith.” - Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” - James 1:3
“Count it pure joy when you encounter trials of various kinds, knowing that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may perfect and complete, not lacking anything.”
Five quotes on the believer’s walk in this vain world:
- “This world is a wilderness wide, I have nothing to gain or to lose.” (J. N. Darby)
- “No man is a fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
(Jim Elliot) - “One short life to be a good soldier of Christ; one long eternity to be a fulfilled human being.” (Lee W. Brainard)
- “I resolve to endeavor to my utmost to act and think as if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and the torments of hell.” (Jonathan Edwards)
- “Some Christians nowadays have a butterfly Christianity. When time, and strength, and thought, and talent are all spent upon mere amusement, what else are men and women but mere butterflies?” (C. H. Spurgeon)
Determine in your heart that you will not be just another Sunday-morning Christian.
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galations 5:25). If the Holy Spirit resides in your heart, then walk in paths and purposes that honor the Holy Spirit. If Christ dwells in your heart, then live as a man who has died and is come back with a new life — a man on a mission from God, for the cause of Christ, in accordance with the Word of God.