Hi All,
I sent the following email to some friends to help me answer some questions I've been wrestling through. I'm going to start this blog so that others can comment and perhaps have a healthy discussion on the topics I'm digging deeper on. Please feel free to post your thoughts, advice, and/or testimonies - I'd love to hear from you!
Here's my email:
There's a book called 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan and there's a chapter about the profile of a 'lukewarm Christian' and the questions I have are around referrences to John 15:1-8, Rev 3:16, and Matt 7:21 where it talks about doing God's will and producing fruit or you will be pruned off, and either being hot or cold and not lukewarm, and also thinking you know the Lord, but He doesn't know you. Are these things being said to believers or non-believers?
I have a feeling it's being said to believers because it would make more sense for God to judge those who know the truth and don't follow His ways than a non-believer who does not know the truth at all. And when Jesus was about to die on the cross, why would He talk to the disciples about being pruned off the vine when they were His followers? And why would Paul and the others take such time and effort to write such detailed letters to the church of believers on how to walk in Christ and what that looks like, if it weren't so important?
I know that there's a difference between 'earning' salvation through works and that salvation is through grace alone, but if it was enough to just accept Christ, but then you could live a life without doing His will, then what's the point? I might as well live my life like I want to - but it's clear that the HS will convict me from living a life like that. So when the scripture says that He does not like lukewarm and wants us to do His will - could it be that He is talking to those who know Him and know the truth and it's more disappointing that we still don't obey - enough for the Lord to want to spit us out of His mouth?
If this is correct, how many Christians are out there living for themselves, yet going to church, reading their bibles and 'doing' all the things that Christians are supposed to do, but really not living in Christ? Is that why it says that the road to salvation is narrow and the road to destruction is far and wide? Are there all these 'Christians' who think they are saved, but if they aren't producing fruit and living according to His will, they really aren't and when the day comes and they say 'Lord, Lord,' He will say that He didn't know them?? If so - how does anyone know for sure they are saved?
Sadly, the profile that's in that book that describes the 'lukewarm Christian', I can say that I know many like that in mini-churches, friends back home in church and even myself at times ... is there a biblical definition of a lukewarm Christian? Therefore, should I not be only ministering to the non-believers, but believers who are lukewarm? I know that you can't lose your salvation, but could it be that these people who claim to be Christian and look the part and go to church, really aren't Christian according to the fruit they are producing? Can I even judge that? Is it my place to even tell someone that it might be the case - just as it is (according to the Great Commission) my place to tell someone who doesn't know Christ about the Good News?
I don't know if my questions are ridiculous or if there's a true answer or if it's just interpretation, but I think it's important to know where the bible stands on this. The book 'Crazy Love' is awesome (I highly suggest you guys read it!) and it's really stirred up alot of things in my walk and I'm making some radical changes in my life to be completely submitted and trusting of His will so that I know for sure that I'm walking in Christ. I don't want to be that lukewarm Christian and I want to know for sure I'm saved!
I appreciate any insight and scripture that would help answer these questions.
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1. Are these things being said to believers or non-believers? I have a feeling it's being said to believers because it would make more sense for God to judge those who know the truth and don't follow His ways than a non-believer who does not know the truth at all.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely.
2. I know that there's a difference between 'earning' salvation through works and that salvation is through grace alone, but if it was enough to just accept Christ, but then you could live a life without doing His will, then what's the point?
First, I think it is impossible to "earn" salvation (Romans 3: 9-12)by any means.
Second, works by those saved will be evaluated (judged) to determine the degree of reward you get in heaven. (Rev 20: 11- 15). This is a separate judgment from the one determining if you are to be in heaven.
The balance of this dichotomy is what challenges us to maintain perspective and listen daily to God's guidance about what to do or not do and how much. If it were all cut and dried, there would be no daily dependence on the Holy Spirit.
3. So when the scripture says that He does not like lukewarm and wants us to do His will - could it be that He is talking to those who know Him and know the truth and it's more disappointing that we still don't obey - enough for the Lord to want to spit us out of His mouth?
I think so.
4. Is that why it says that the road to salvation is narrow and the road to destruction is far and wide?
No, I don't think so. The road to salvation is narrow because it is so incredibly simple; we like to think that something so precious must have to be difficult - I think that is part of the test of our faith, to see if we are able to accept such a gift without great expenditure. See the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Yet it is difficult; it requires the faith of a child which we are self actualized westerners are loath to assume.
5. Are there all these 'Christians' who think they are saved, but if they aren't producing fruit and living according to His will, they really aren't and when the day comes and they say 'Lord, Lord,' He will say that He didn't know them?? If so - how does anyone know for sure they are saved?
Works alone do not result in salvation; but I think those works to which Jesus refers in Matthew 25 are a reflection of the heart of those who have committed their lives to him.
6. Therefore, should I not be only ministering to the non-believers, but believers who are lukewarm? I know that you can't lose your salvation, but could it be that these people who claim to be Christian and look the part and go to church, really aren't Christian according to the fruit they are producing? Can I even judge that? Is it my place to even tell someone that it might be the case - just as it is (according to the Great Commission) my place to tell someone who doesn't know Christ about the Good News?
I don't think so without some heavy prompting by the Holy Spirit. That could be very presumptious and would need to be approached in a gentle, humble, loving manner.
7. I don't want to be that lukewarm Christian and I want to know for sure I'm saved!
Salvation comes when you accept Jesus as your savior and commit your life to Him. Sanctification comes as you walk with Him day by day and work to become His disciple. If He says you are saved, believe it and move on; The Other Guy (Satan) will try to tell you that there is more to it than that.
What do you think? We can talk more when we have a chance. Good questions and a challenge to answer. Thanks for taking the time to lay them out.
Love in Jesus!
Jim
Wow, great feedback and you definitely gave me much to pray and think on. I appreciate you taking the time to go through all of my questions. I especially like your responses to #2 and #6. God has been growing me in those areas and so your feedback rings true to my spirit. Thanks again for your support, encouragement, and prayers! :o)
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