Are you Christian-ish?

Are You Christian-ish?

In a world that often encourages comfort and compromise, it's easy to find ourselves drifting into a lukewarm faith. We might wear the label of Christianity without truly following Jesus, creating a half-hearted version of belief that falls short of what God desires for us. This "Christian-ish" lifestyle is not only unfulfilling but also dangerous to our spiritual health.
The book of Revelation paints a vivid picture of God's distaste for lukewarm faith. In His message to the church of Laodicea, Jesus says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16). These words serve as a stark warning to those who try to straddle the fence between wholehearted devotion and complete rejection of faith.

But what does it mean to be lukewarm? How can we recognize if we've fallen into this trap? Here are five signs that might indicate a lukewarm faith:

1. Craving acceptance from people more than God: When we prioritize fitting in with the world over pleasing God, we've lost sight of our true purpose. Galatians 1:10 reminds us, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
2. Rationalizing sin: It's easy to fall into the trap of minimizing our wrongdoings, thinking "It's not so bad" or "At least I didn't do something worse." However, sin is sin in God's eyes, and rationalizing it only leads us further from Him. Isaiah 5:20 warns, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
3. Rarely sharing your faith: If we truly believe in the transformative power of Jesus, shouldn't we be eager to share this good news with others? Matthew 10:32-33 states, "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." Our faith should be evident in our words and actions, not hidden away.
4. Only turning to God when you need something: Treating God like a genie who grants wishes diminishes the depth of relationship He desires with us. Jeremiah 2:27 describes this attitude: "They say to wood, 'You are my father,' and to stone, 'You gave me birth.' They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, 'Come and save us!'" God wants to be more than just our emergency hotline.
5. Not looking much different from the world: As followers of Christ, we are called to be set apart. Romans 12:2 instructs us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." If our lives look no different from those who don't know Jesus, we might need to reassess our commitment to Him.

The story of Logan serves as a powerful illustration of lukewarm faith. Despite attending church regularly, his faith remained passive and uninvolved. It took a vivid dream of standing near a roaring fire with only a small ember in his hand to shake him awake spiritually. God's message was clear: one cannot warm themselves with just an ember. This realization drove Logan to his knees in prayer, seeking a deeper, more active faith.
So how do we move from lukewarm to red-hot in our faith? The key lies in seeking the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This power enables us to live boldly for Christ, sharing our faith and standing firm in a world that often opposes Christian values.

Practical steps to fan the flames of faith include:

1. Consistent prayer and Bible study
2. Regular church attendance and fellowship with other believers
3. Accountability relationships with mature Christians
4. Actively seeking opportunities to share your faith
5. Serving others in tangible ways

Remember, becoming lukewarm doesn't happen overnight – it's a gradual process of small compromises and forgotten priorities. Similarly, rekindling a passionate faith takes time and intentional effort. It's like peeling back the layers of an onion, with God gently revealing areas of our lives that need transformation.

As we reflect on our own faith journey, let's not be content with a "Christian-ish" lifestyle. God desires so much more for us – a vibrant, active faith that transforms not only our own lives but also impacts the world around us. He's calling us out of comfort and into the uncomfortable places where true growth and impact happen.

Let's pray for the Holy Spirit to make us red-hot for Jesus, no longer satisfied with straddling the fence between wholehearted devotion and passive belief. May we be bold in sharing our faith, quick to turn to God in all circumstances, and visibly different from the world in how we live and love.

The choice is ours: Will we remain lukewarm, risking being "spit out," or will we allow God to ignite a passionate, all-consuming fire of faith within us? The world desperately needs to see authentic, on-fire Christians who are fully committed to following Jesus. Let's be those people, starting today.