Am I a Lukewarm Larry or Lucy?

When we look at the church today it should be cause for concern. A few questions may be why are people leaving, where the miracles signs and wonders; where are the testimonies? When the church and the world look the same it should have every Christian questioning themselves by asking one simple question: Am I a lukewarm Larry or Lucy?

Being a follower of Christ is a lifestyle; not just a Sunday afternoon retreat for a feel good sermon to enjoy yet that seems to be the commonplace for America. Don’t like the message; jump to another church. And then of course repeat until you find the one that gives you the most goosebumps and talks the least about repentance. I get it. I too was there until God showed me the Truth and it set me free. I see it now although it was years in the making. Not growing up in the church I didn’t know what it truly was to be a Christian and even when I became one all I did was sit in church; for 18 years. Yet my life didn’t change. It didn’t change until I did something about. And it won’t for you either. So if you are lukewarm and do nothing; you simply will stay that way for there is no other way.

It’s funny how that happens and it’s probably happened to you. You visit a church, they bring you to the membership room and maybe give you a little book; the cookies are there because we all need more gluten right and you fill out the little form. Oh wait- I refused to do all that because in my ignorance I couldn’t figure out why I needed to join the club. Did it mean I was obligated to participate? Did I have to pay to play? I didn’t know and didn’t want to know! As such I went faithfully for 18 years and again; nothing changed. Sure I could recite Genesis but seriously; why was my life still so jacked up? I was sick and tired of being sick and tired and I wanted answers. I wanted to know what the purpose of being a Christian was because I came from the world and the Christians that I met were the same ones at the bar partying. So where is the testimony? All I saw was hypocrisy and sad to say; still do. Hence why we have the problems we do in our schools, families, churches; even this country.

As I fast forward to a life of growth in Christ I see it now. I see it clearly that we collectively have truly failed as followers of Christ. It is so painfully obvious when pastors and church leaders have the audacity to tell their congregations that sin filled lifestyles are what are going to revolutionize the church. Are you serious? Because that’s in the Bible right? Because sin is holy right? Never mind that Jesus came to set the captives free. No that’s not for today!

We must ask ourselves: do we think so little of ourselves and of Christ to be ok living in sin, justifying it; and then trying to manipulate people into the church by telling them that sin is ok and to keep on sinning? Where does that edify the Lord? How on earth does that advance His Kingdom? Are we ok with just giving to God 1.5 hours on Sunday and then get mad when He doesn’t deliver what we think we should have? Give me a break! I was told that if I wanted to grow in Christ it would require 40+ hours per week. I thought my Bible teacher was kidding; he wasn’t. I got serious about what it means to be a follower of Christ and my life changed. Yours will too and guess what? You won’t miss football for you will see the sin filled agendas they push down your throat. You won’t miss the violence in movies or the hatred of women everywhere. You won’t miss the need to be entertained because your standard of living will be beyond accepting sin filled crap in your life. You won’t settle for less than what God has for you because you will recognize that the God you serve is holy and makes the impossible possible and just for you. You won’t miss not being seen at the bar looking oh so fly because the only One your focus will on is the One who matters most. And you won’t settle for less; oh no you won’t ever let someone call you out on being lukewarm because you know it won’t be possible.

Until we as followers of Christ are willing to stop placating sin, justifying it and minimizing and morphing it then the answer to the question is and will continue to be- you are a lukewarm Lucy or Larry and yes you will be spit out by Jesus in accordance with His word. It is beyond time to let these words sink in before it’s too late:

To the Church in Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 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. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Rev 3:14-19)

There is time for you to make the personal change to not be known as the lukewarm lazy one but the gipper for God or as some may label you the Jesus Freak but in all seriousness you must look at the source and rest assured- you make it through for His is with you and will never leave you no forksake you.

You my dear friend will be witness to signs, miracles and wonders. You my dear friend will walk in the supernatural that will be natural. You my dear friend will have testimony. You my dear friend will be what a follower of Christ is- and that surely isn’t lukewarm.

Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people worldwide grow in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com

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