Name some characteristics of a lukewarm Christian

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aspen

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I am interested in your opinion.
 

lforrest

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My observation is that their religion is selfish.
 

aspen

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lforrest said:
My observation is that their religion is selfish.
Interesting - how so?
 

Martin W.

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I would also like to hear the definition of .... "on fire for the Lord"

I hear it used often , but when I ask for a definition it never comes
 

shturt678

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Our Church holds the record for fervent believers on Sunday for the whole "1" hour as recently had to reduce from the "1.5" hours. I volunteered for the parking lot attendant ministry after Church services so the little ones don't get backed over while the worshippers exit trying to get to their 100$ golf tee times, parties, and etc. then the rest of the week they're secret Christian agents where all were converted thus on fire for 60 minutes then cold for the rest of the week thus the temperature blends to a lukewarm worship.. 30 years ago, we use to have a potluck after church, and not just the 10 minute coffee get together, but church actually began before daybreak and ended about 1400. Funny how things change through the years.

Old, Bible studies, and prayer git togethers even during the week let alone Bible thumping 24/7 Jack...boasting in our Lord!!!

Martin W. said:
I would also like to hear the definition of .... "on fire for the Lord"

I hear it used often , but when I ask for a definition it never comes
I found RANDOR's definition insurpassable. He's doing a Bible reading now, he'll be back,

Old Jack burning the candle at both ends with RANDOR, and others...pass me another candle please.
 

This Vale Of Tears

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I don't know that the amount of time a church service takes is a good measure of how enthusiastically congregants take to their faith. Catholic Holy Mass is typically 1 hour. It's centered not around a sermon but around the Eucharist, the feast of the body and blood of Christ. A short homily is given, but not in a loquacious way, for the priest is not the focus of the Mass, Jesus is. People who say Holy Mass is boring are missing the whole point. They're wanting to be entertained and in doing so miss the greatest miracle that happens every single day at every single mass. The common elements of bread and wine are supernaturally transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, a miracle so profound it still takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes. Seeing the risen Christ with my own eyes, partaking of his body and blood as he commanded us to do, there's no greater thrill to be had anywhere else.

For Protestants this doesn't really apply except for the common principle that it's the attitude we have going to church that determines whether or not we are transformed, refreshed, re-energized, and experience much needed course corrections. Do we go to church to meet the risen Christ, or is it a short hiatus in our busy lives? If we go to church with the wrong attitude, the amount of time the service takes will not matter. An engaging and charismatic pastor will avail us not. Uplifting worship on power projected screens will be lost on us. Martha and Miriam (Mary) both had Jesus in their house, but one was blessed by his presence and the other was busy, worried, and distracted. The right posture determines whether we actually encounter Christ or not. Are we going to church with the right posture?

Martin W. said:
I would also like to hear the definition of .... "on fire for the Lord"

I hear it used often , but when I ask for a definition it never comes
It simply means being filled with the Holy Spirit, something we must be willing to do daily. The Holy Spirit is symbolized by fire and this imagery can be seen at Pentecost, and in Revelation describing the golden lamp stands. And I'm sure if I spent some time on it, I could list other examples of this distinct icon. Being filled with the Holy Ghost, one is zealous for the Lord, preaching the gospel and living a life before others of joy, peace, and godliness. I think it's a great phrase to describe the kind of enthusiasm and ebullience that all Christians should strive for.
 

lforrest

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lforrest said:
My observation is that their religion is selfish.
Like Ol Jack above mentioned, there are the 1 hour a week Christians who are too selfish to give any more of themselves to God than that 1 hour. These are the same ones that make themselves out to be religious, and to adhere to biblical principles. They get divorced, practice adultery, say worldly things with their lips, and yet then condemn others for the same immoral behavior. These hypocrites give Christians a bad name.
 

Mr.Bride

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lforrest said:
Like Ol Jack above mentioned, there are the 1 hour a week Christians who are too selfish to give any more of themselves to God than that 1 hour. These are the same ones that make themselves out to be religious, and to adhere to biblical principles. They get divorced, practice adultery, say worldly things with their lips, and yet then condemn others for the same immoral behavior. These hypocrites give Christians a bad name.
True

Religious hypocrites... Selfish.. A true reproach to the Kingdom of God. Unbelievers and make-believers who don't really have the love of God in their hearts. They could say they live God but the world's influence would snatch them without resistance. The true Word they reject.
 

aspen

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Well, I have to agree that selfishness is definitely a characteristic of a lukewarm Christian. I think one of the marks of believer who is growing is selflessness. I also agree with Vale that there is nothing more thrilling then being served the Eucharist. IMO, lukewarm Christians have a remarkable disinterest in God. Atheists are way more into God than lukewarm Christians. The weirdest thing is when LWC appear to be on fire for God - but one soon realizes all the energy is really just a bid to belong to a group rather than serve God and others.

It reminds me of working with narcissistic adults - many of them try to come across as knowing everything and not needing anyone or anything, but when you look behind the curtain of their facade, they are completely dependent - it is a weird combination. In all actuality, narcissists often feel like they do not exist unless they are bragging to someone and so they need their audience like fuel.
 

lforrest

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Mr.Bride said:
True

Religious hypocrites... Selfish.. A true reproach to the Kingdom of God. Unbelievers and make-believers who don't really have the love of God in their hearts. They could say they live God but the world's influence would snatch them without resistance. The true Word they reject.
That's right. They are not interested in knowing the full council of God. I'd wager they all have bibles but have never read even a quarter of it.
 

RANDOR

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Luke Warm Christians.................out number the red hot Christians........by far.

Here's my 4 cents worth.......Heck....lets make it 7 cents.

First off................If you be a luke warm Christain...you will never recognize a luke warm Christian.

Luke warm Christians........hmmmmmmmmmmmm....where do we start.....I know what....lets go down this road so I don't get beat up to bad....
HA!!!! by a luke warm Christian................come on I had to say that :)

Lets take my own personal family......I grew up with my Mother and Grandmother....dad died when I was two. They both believed in God but on occasion would we attend church...your usual Christmas and Easter thing........I didn't know it....but I do now.....they were luke warm.
Don't get me wrong they loved Jesus.
But what good is a luke warm Christian? They are still our brother and sisters in Christ.....that's a given 100%

But here comes the kicker........they have nothing to say about Christ, no boldness for their Savior, and sometimes when ya bring up God,
Thay want to change the channel quickly! Or they look at cha like your nuts......cause ya want to talk about their Savior.

When I was down and out..........I was surrounded by luke warm Christians......No body and I mean NO BODY!!!!!
Told me about the saving Grace of God................not one.

And here is another kicker.........when I sent a email to my aunt....and it wasn't personally written to her....and I wrote, why is it no one told me....I mean
aren't you Christians?
And her answer was..........."In the state that you were in, you would not have listened" WHAT???????????????????
After I read her response I thought to myself.........just for a second......."ya know, you are probably right"
But then it hit me.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo..........you had nothing to say, because you have never felt the hand of God. Not their falt.............they beleive in Jesus....................but so do the demons but at least they shutter.

I went through pure hell..................because I was not told, shown, explained and most of all I was not introduced
To Jesus....no one had anything to say about Him...............sheeeeeeeeesh.....nothing.

Now....a luke warm Christian can become a red hot on fire for Christ Christian if only they would truly seek Him.....But hey....
They think that's all there is to Christ i suppose.

And......many luke warm Christians..................have way to many hangups........

And ya know what................what you just read.....is just one example.
There are hundreds more. hundreds.

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since i got saved 26 years ago...........my whole family is HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT ON FIRE Yeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Actually my mother witnessed Jesus coming into my garage and forgiving me of my sins..........Actually she showed up
one hour later.......I didn't tell her a thing.............she just fell to the ground....The after glow ya might call it.....and said...
Oh-my God......HE CAME! HE CAME.....He came didn't he?
Yes, Mother He came


PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME
 

williemac

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In all these replies I have not seen any reference to the one place in scripture that uses the term. That is, no use of the passage to determine just what a lukewarm Christian actually is according to scripture. All I am seeing here is personal manmade opinions about lukewarmness. Sorry, folks.

Jesus told the lukewarm church that they were neither hot nor cold. In describing their condition, He commented that they thought they were in need of nothing. In other words, they thought they had everything they were supposed to have. Lukewarmness in that passage was not about their behavior or their zeal. It was about what they were in possession of, or lack thereof.They did not know they were wretched, blind, poor, miserable, and naked.

I don't know about anyone else, but if I were all these things in the flesh, I would know about it. This description is obviously referring to a spiritual condition. Then Jesus counselled them to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, that they may obtain all these things they were missing. So how were they to do this? The answer is in Rev.3:20. Jesus would not hang them out on a limb without actually giving them the solution. What he said was that He was knocking at the door, wanting to come into them and sup with them; not on a corprate level but on an individual basis.

In looking at all the evidence in this passage, we can see that being a believer will cause one to be not cold. But being a believer and not having the indwelling presence of God will cause one to be considered not hot either. Thus lukewarm...right in the middle, believing in Jesus but not having the relationship with Him that is available through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In fairness, this was alluded to in one of the above replies.

I have to say that all the buzz about a person's zeal misses the mark concerning the bible definition of lukewarmness. This is not about zeal or behavior. This is entirely about relationship and fellowship with Jesus through His indwelling presence. Now, in my opinion it is not a problem to use the term "lukewarm" in light of one's zeal or behavior as long as we understand and agree that we are using it on our own terms and not in bible terms.
 

RANDOR

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Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....that's exactly what we said....but differently.....we get what you said.....funny you didn't get what we said...
but hey..............we all ended up in the same place....Lovin Jesus.
 

lforrest

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Thank you for the reply Williemac, that is what aspen was looking for characteristics. Not many can see when the Spirit is shining through someone, so we are left to look for the signs of his presence or absence. There are a number of these.
 

Martin W.

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.

I have a different opinion

The most important thing a person can do in this life is to be a saved christian , that is the whole message of the bible.

Just because some of them look and act "lukewarm" is none of our business , and most likely we do not know their true lives behind the scenes , it could be exemplary for all we know.

Reading between the lines it is like (some) of the "hot" Christians are trying to insinuate they are somehow better.

Why is it that the "spirit filled denomination" has the largest share of scandals and scoundrels and fakery ?

It is a sober question we must ask ourselves

At the very least it is better to be a lukewarm christian than not to be a christian at all and we should not treat them as an enemy
 

lforrest

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Martin W. said:
.Just because some of them look and act "lukewarm" is none of our business , and most likely we do not know their true lives behind the scenes , it could be exemplary for all we know.
Should we not make their spiritual well-being our business? What is the purpose of the assembly of believers if not this?

It is not our place to rule over a fellow believer, because they belong to Jesus. Yet the one who loves the truth will repent of all sin and draw nearer to God. Would any one of them complain on the day of the Lord if your rebuke resulted in a better testimony? Why do you think fools scorn rebuke, isn't it because you further seal their condemnation?

Church discipline and encouragement is necessary, not everyone can carry their own cross alone.
 

Martin W.

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lforrest said:
Should we not make their spiritual well-being our business? What is the purpose of the assembly of believers if not this?

It is not our place to rule over a fellow believer, because they belong to Jesus. Yet the one who loves the truth will repent of all sin and draw nearer to God. Would any one of them complain on the day of the Lord if your rebuke resulted in a better testimony? Why do you think fools scorn rebuke, isn't it because you further seal their condemnation?

Church discipline and encouragement is necessary, not everyone can carry their own cross alone.
Let me put it in more abrupt terms ....

A lot of good and decent Christians turn a cold shoulder to some of the showmanship and theater of some charismatics , they not to wish to have association with them for their own personal reasons

Thus the charismatics mistaken the cold shoulder response and end up labeling them as ... "lukewarm" ... or not "on fire" for the Lord

In other words , many of the "full of Holy Spirit" group appear to be mostly "Full of themselves" .... and continually let it be known that they alone are the best

Don't believe me ?

Just ask them
 

This Vale Of Tears

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Martin W. said:
Let me put it in more abrupt terms ....

A lot of good and decent Christians turn a cold shoulder to some of the showmanship and theater of some charismatics , they not to wish to have association with them for their own personal reasons

Thus the charismatics mistaken the cold shoulder response and end up labeling them as ... "lukewarm" ... or not "on fire" for the Lord

In other words , many of the "full of Holy Spirit" group appear to be mostly "Full of themselves" .... and continually let it be known that they alone are the best

Don't believe me ?

Just ask them
I agree that it's all about the attitude that comes across. There's nothing wrong with being excited for Jesus and living a life full of worship, Bible reading, fellowship, and evangelism. And I have no doubt that such zeal is from the Holy Spirit. But when the "I'm better than you" attitude is on display as well, it comes off as a stench that isn't inspired by the Holy Spirit, for God opposes a prideful heart.

By the way, I saw your account was disabled and I'm sorry to see that because you've been firing on all cylinders in these discussions, making a great contribution. I hope whatever it is gets resolved so we can get you back!