Gary Larson’s classic Far Side cartoon of the gifted young knucklehead trying to push through a door marked “Pull” is how I picture the theologians telling people they need to be more committed, more repentant, more … you fill in the blanks, to earn God’s love so that they can receive eternal life.
I was just reading a book written by one of these theological “geniuses.” Explaining his view of the so-called “lukewarm Christian” in Revelation 3, he claims to believe 100% in grace while maintaining that there will not be any lukewarm Christians in heaven. He just thinks they should have some “fruit.”
Apart from the obvious possibility that this is a warning to churches rather than individual Christians, I wonder about his definition of “lukewarm.”
I bet I know.
Just a few degrees cooler than the “heat” of his own personal commitment to the Lord Jesus.
I bet I know his definition of “convincing fruit” too: About the same amount he has.
If it weren’t so tragic, it would be as funny as Larsen’s Far Side scene.
The tragedy of it all is that while he’s convinced himself that his lukewarmness is just above the lukewarmness the grace of God covers, thousands of sincere Christians are compelled to keep pushing through a door grace already pulled open the day they believed in Christ.
Question: Why do you feel so many Christians want to define “lukewarm” as people worse than them?
Question: Why do you feel so many Christians want to define “lukewarm” as people worse than them?
Lukewarm Christians are those that repent on Sunday, and turn around and do the same thing the next week. They never learn that repent means to change their minds, or change their course of action. By calling people lukewarm Christians, it is so much easier to try to feel better about yourself by putting others down instead of changing your own mind or actions.
Saying you only have to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior to receive eternal life is like saying you only have to love the Lord with only your heart. Christians seem to forget that Jesus said you must love the Lord with all your heart, plus love the Lord with all of your body, your mind, and your spirit. Without all of these finding grace, forgiveness, and peace is just impossible.
I strongly disagree. By your measurement, no honest person is saved. I’m firmly persuaded that it is faith in Christ, plus nothing. We can disagree, and that’s okay. But by your definition of completely giving yourself to Christ I feel you’re confusing the free gift of eternal life with the costliness of following Christ and maturing in our faith.
Is there someone out there that loves the Lord God with 100% of their heart, mind, soul and strength 100% of the time? I don’t. Why does anyone think it is their job to make sure others know how shortfallen they are? Or why does anybody feel that God needs help making people adhere to the “rules”? The beauty is that “He won’t love me more when I’ve done my best, and when I fail, (even if it’s every day) He won’t love me any less.” So love one another – and that means not judging each other’s spirituality, or lack thereof. I don’t know about anyone else, but I haven’t got that kind of time.
The only clarification to your thoughts, Al, is that there is a responsibility within community for spiritual leaders and deep friendships to protect us by telling us the truth. This isn’t a judgmental dynamic. Rather, it’s an expression of love. But you’re right, most “judgment” of believers comes from those who hardly know us.
Some seen to get confused about Salvation and our walk. At the point of salvation the issue is we were born separated from God. It’s not about whether we are good enough for God to save us. So, God’s Grace has provided a way. From that point it’s all about walk. His Grace does not leave us to our own devices, but has provided a plan whereby Godly men are put in positions of Pastorial Leadership to help shepherd us in our walk. I sat under Pastor Ed’s ministry for couple of years and he is a prime example of what grace is all about.
I have experienced first hand Church ministeries that minimize Grace (whether intentionally or unintenionally) and stress does and don’ts. Results are, confused believers, Church splits and no impact on the local community.
Seems to me when it’s much about Grace, it’s little about me and more about how I can best serve Him and how to reach others. One thing about Grace to me is learning to be gracious to others. One of my biggest prayers has and continues to be” “God grant me the ability to see others the way You see them.
These are good and honest thoughts, Floyd. It’s always true that those of us who preach grace should be the most gracious.