What Happens to Lukewarm Christians When They Die? What Should We Do for the Lukewarm Among Us?

[Steven Yeadon]

I have had some nagging thoughts for months now about the way we do church in America.

After months of thinking on it, the problem I ultimately have had with the way we do church is when it comes to those people who are more like "hangers on."

They come to Sunday service, are baptized members of the church, hang out with friends at a small group, but go home to either do one of two things: Either they treat church like some sort of godly oasis where they put up a front to blend in and once away form church they revert back to normal. That is a life where God doesn't matter at all. These people seem like good Christians but are actually cold in their faith and obedience to Jesus. I have known people like this, but I believe them to be more rare than the next type of churchgoer.

I was the second type of churchgoer and I recently found an excellent explanation of who I was at this website: http://www.influencerswest.org/AverageChristianGuy.pdf . I also found a book tonight that speaks to this kind of Christian called "The Ruin of a Christian" by John R. Rice. Social science calls them the "average Christian," I just know myself, who was one, to have been lukewarm.

I myself, two years ago, got out of lukewarmness because I knew that I could not be exactly sure of where I was going when I die if I stayed that way. A profound, supernatural terror gripped me for a month before I finally put real, blind faith in the LORD, and told Him that I would do my all every day to obey Him and confirm my faith. I now know where I am going because I see a change in my life after putting faith in Jesus, instead of just professing some faith in him, this realization of confirmed faith gives me comfort beyond all words.

That said, it seems that we are not geared as churches to reach those among us who are cold or lukewarm, those who my heart breaks for the most among people who may very well be Lost.

In Orlando, it always feels like everyone is Christian, except for those hanging out at bars or clubs or tourist destinations. This means that when I have evangelized, the biggest issue is always finding Christians "on the fence" about their faith. I do the best I can to talk with them about the need for church and bible study and holiness, but it always seems like the real issue is reaching those who think they are Christians. Something I haven't figured out what to do about yet.

So, my question is how do we as churches, that meet together, reach not only those in our community but those in our pews who are cold or lukewarm?

 

[Saved-By-Grace]

I have had some nagging thoughts for months now about the way we do church in America.

After months of thinking on it, the problem I ultimately have had with the way we do church is when it comes to those people who are more like "hangers on."

They come to Sunday service, are baptized members of the church, hang out with friends at a small group, but go home to either do one of two things: Either they treat church like some sort of godly oasis where they put up a front to blend in and once away form church they revert back to normal. That is a life where God doesn't matter at all. These people seem like good Christians but are actually cold in their faith and obedience to Jesus. I have known people like this, but I believe them to be more rare than the next type of churchgoer.

I was the second type of churchgoer and I recently found an excellent explanation of who I was at this website: http://www.influencerswest.org/AverageChristianGuy.pdf . I also found a book tonight that speaks to this kind of Christian called "The Ruin of a Christian" by John R. Rice. Social science calls them the "average Christian," I just know myself, who was one, to have been lukewarm.

I myself, two years ago, got out of lukewarmness because I knew that I could not be exactly sure of where I was going when I die if I stayed that way. A profound, supernatural terror gripped me for a month before I finally put real, blind faith in the LORD, and told Him that I would do my all every day to obey Him and confirm my faith. I now know where I am going because I see a change in my life after putting faith in Jesus, instead of just professing some faith in him, this realization of confirmed faith gives me comfort beyond all words.

That said, it seems that we are not geared as churches to reach those among us who are cold or lukewarm, those who my heart breaks for the most among people who may very well be Lost.

In Orlando, it always feels like everyone is Christian, except for those hanging out at bars or clubs or tourist destinations. This means that when I have evangelized, the biggest issue is always finding Christians "on the fence" about their faith. I do the best I can to talk with them about the need for church and bible study and holiness, but it always seems like the real issue is reaching those who think they are Christians. Something I haven't figured out what to do about yet.

So, my question is how do we as churches, that meet together, reach not only those in our community but those in our pews who are cold or lukewarm?

There are only two real options. Either a person is truly born-again Christian, and is guaranteed to spend eternity in heaven with the Triune God of the Holy Bible; or, they are unsaved and will spend eternity in eternal punishment, apart from the God of the Bible. Simply put, either you are "saved", or "lost".

 

[TCassidy]

Matt 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Matt 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?

I took that as an opportunity to check my heart. After doing so I will level with you all. The reason this issue bugs me so much is because I know people who have passed away and were lukewarm or cold in their faith. I do not know for certain where they went when they died, given the bible. In addition, I know I was on my way to hell by being a lukewarm Christian two years ago. God saved me with a supernatural seeming conviction. That said, I am very worried about the eternal destination of many people I know. Because of this, I harbor deep seated anger at those church leaders who are not targeting cold and lukewarm Christians for salvation.

Looking at myself, yeah I could use a little more dedication every day, which is good to realize. However, I believe I could correct a brother on issues of lukewarmness or coldness, given my own history of struggling with and overcoming that very thing.

Another pertinent warning would be:

Galatians 6:1
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

 

[Yeshua1]

I have had some nagging thoughts for months now about the way we do church in America.

After months of thinking on it, the problem I ultimately have had with the way we do church is when it comes to those people who are more like "hangers on."

They come to Sunday service, are baptized members of the church, hang out with friends at a small group, but go home to either do one of two things: Either they treat church like some sort of godly oasis where they put up a front to blend in and once away form church they revert back to normal. That is a life where God doesn't matter at all. These people seem like good Christians but are actually cold in their faith and obedience to Jesus. I have known people like this, but I believe them to be more rare than the next type of churchgoer.

I was the second type of churchgoer and I recently found an excellent explanation of who I was at this website: http://www.influencerswest.org/AverageChristianGuy.pdf . I also found a book tonight that speaks to this kind of Christian called "The Ruin of a Christian" by John R. Rice. Social science calls them the "average Christian," I just know myself, who was one, to have been lukewarm.

I myself, two years ago, got out of lukewarmness because I knew that I could not be exactly sure of where I was going when I die if I stayed that way. A profound, supernatural terror gripped me for a month before I finally put real, blind faith in the LORD, and told Him that I would do my all every day to obey Him and confirm my faith. I now know where I am going because I see a change in my life after putting faith in Jesus, instead of just professing some faith in him, this realization of confirmed faith gives me comfort beyond all words.

That said, it seems that we are not geared as churches to reach those among us who are cold or lukewarm, those who my heart breaks for the most among people who may very well be Lost.

In Orlando, it always feels like everyone is Christian, except for those hanging out at bars or clubs or tourist destinations. This means that when I have evangelized, the biggest issue is always finding Christians "on the fence" about their faith. I do the best I can to talk with them about the need for church and bible study and holiness, but it always seems like the real issue is reaching those who think they are Christians. Something I haven't figured out what to do about yet.

So, my question is how do we as churches, that meet together, reach not only those in our community but those in our pews who are cold or lukewarm?

There will always be ion every church those who profess to be saved, to believe in Jesus and on their way to heaven, but both groups here will have lives at times not reflecting that as the truth.
Group 1 will eventually get their act together, and become more as jesus intended them to became, as in the end, they will repent and come back to God, while those in Group 2 will be mere professors, never were really saved.
Key is that those who are of the lord, like the prodigal Son was, will somehow and someway come back to God, while those like in Hebrews 6 never will get right with God.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

There will always be ion every church those who profess to be saved, to believe in Jesus and on their way to heaven, but both groups here will have lives at times not reflecting that as the truth.
Group 1 will eventually get their act together, and become more as jesus intended them to became, as in the end, they will repent and come back to God, while those in Group 2 will be mere professors, never were really saved.
Key is that those who are of the lord, like the prodigal Son was, will somehow and someway come back to God, while those like in Hebrews 6 never will get right with God.

Agreed really on what happens after death, but it doesn't seem to answer my question of how we reach those that are false professors in our churches.

 

[tyndale1946]

Matt 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?

Steven I agree with TC and add a little extra to it... Brother Glen

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Steven I agree with TC and add a little extra to it... Brother Glen

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

I believe you misinterpreted those verses. Paul is speaking of disagreeable matters such as holy days in Romans 14, as the context. There are tons of other verses, which I'll look up and post when not on my phone, that speak of church discipline over moral matters. Revelation makes lukewarmness a moral concern.

I do agree entirely with your sentiment of not having a critical spirit. I must not be condemning.

To be honest, if it turned out I was worried about disagreeable matters, then I would be overjoyed. Because I would know that people I know and love with serious and never addressed moral sins in their lives, after professing faith, surely went to heaven. No more questions need to be asked about say what soil they were as in the parable of the sower.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I must thank you Tyndale1946 and Tom for your candor and sentiment.

I feel that this is a very personal issue having to do with a failure of church discipline, especially for my loved ones. My original question seems on a high horse.

The real question that gets me is:

Why do we let so many people die without an ounce of church discipline, since if they live in sin, we do not know if they are born again by a mere profession of faith?

I thank you for getting me to the heart of the matter to me. I have struggled with this for months.

 

[tyndale1946]

I must thank you Tyndale1946 and Tom for your candor and sentiment.

I feel that this is a very personal issue having to do with a failure of church discipline, especially for my loved ones. My original question seems on a high horse.

The real question that gets me is:

Why do we let so many people die without an ounce of church discipline, since if they live in sin, we do not know if they are born again by a mere profession of faith?

I thank you for getting me to the heart of the matter to me. I have struggled with this for months.

Steven I grew up in church and was in church since the age of seven when my parents joined... I have been going to church for over 64 years and I'm not saying that to boast but in all that time I've learned a thing or two... The first is there are no perfect Christians and there are no perfect churches... My Dad a very Godly man had this saying brethren would be better off if they tended to their own backyard... I had one preacher put it this way that I never forgot and pass these words of wisdom on to you... Upon two preacher meeting each other one asked the other... How is your church?... The other preacher replied... IT'S OUT OF ORDER!... To which the other preacher commented dumfounded... WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?... To which the preacher replied... I'M IN IT!... In church you are one of the two the problem or the solution!... Which one are you?... Brother Glen

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I understand that now. I need to get my vantage point off of "fixing" the American or global church, and be faithful in the circumstances God has given me. That includes trying harder to correct people face to face if they live in sin instead of those online, and trying harder to evangelize. I should also go to more small groups at my new church, and continue writing my testimonial and Christian apologetics books I am working on.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

There is a text that says, 'Woe to them that are at ease in Zion' (Amos 6:1). We are to encourage and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), but we are to do so with gentleness and respect, 'esteem[ing] others better than [our]selves' (Philippians 2:3).

The spiritual temperature of a church is really the responsibility of the Pastor and leadership. Maybe they ought to preach a sermon on Romans 12:1.

 

[Yeshua1]

Agreed really on what happens after death, but it doesn't seem to answer my question of how we reach those that are false professors in our churches.

By exposing them to the real Gospel, doctrines of the scriptures, and to pray to God to have Him open their hearts and minds.