Today I want to continue our examination of the lukewarm person. If you didn’t read the initial post on lukewarm people, please go here first and read it in order to understand where the material in this post is taken from.
Here is the remainder of Francis Chan’s description of what halfhearted, distracted, partially committed, lukewarm people look like in his book “Crazy Love”.
Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people by talking about private issues like religion. p.71
Lukewarm people gauge their morality or ‘goodness’ by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren’t as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. p.72
Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their
money, and their thoughts, but He isn’t allowed to control their lives. p.72Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of devotion isn’t really possible for the average person; it’s only for pastors and missionaries and radicals. p.73
Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love of others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached. p.73
Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give. p.74
Lukewarm people think about life on earth more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. p.75
Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. They are quick to point out, ‘Jesus never said money is the root of all evil, only that the love of money is.’ Untold numbers of lukewarm people feel ‘called’ to minister to the rich; very few feel ‘called’ to minister to the poor. p.75
Well, how are you doing as you examine your life in light of Chan’s descriptors of a lukewarm person? I have to be honest and say that some of these have stepped on my toes a bit and caused me to pause and re-think. I certainly could be doing a better job at sharing my faith with those around me, as well as loving, giving and ministering to the poor and needy.
No, I don’t think I fall into the category of a lukewarm person, but perhaps the ‘Point’ of this exercise is to provide me with reminders of where I need to remain vigilant in my walk with Christ. We will finish this look at lukewarm people at the end of the week.
