There are times when some Christians mistake God’s love and grace as an approval of their lifestyles when He is just giving them a chance to change their ways for the better. Choosing to live a Christ-like lifestyle requires that you make a lot of changes in your life. Your friendships, daily activities, and surprisingly the food you eat have to be reevaluated if you’re to follow Christ. Yes, the food you digest matters to God, too. Since our bodies belong to God, it is only fair that whatever we put into our body brings glory to Him.
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)
Those that do not care about what God thinks about their lifestyles are bracing themselves for an eternity in hell. Anyone who rejects God isn’t doing himself or herself any favors. If only people knew the reality and horrors of hell, they’d do away with the lifestyles that would secure their passage to hell. In my little time here on earth, I have come to realize that what sinners want is actually not hell but sin. We like to enjoy things, but forget the consequences of those things. It’s like wanting too much sugar but not thinking about obesity. To the world, sin is attractive. The devil makes people believe that in committing sin, they will be achieving happiness. Truth be told, if the wages of sin were paid right away, sin wouldn’t be so attractive. What a merciful God we serve.
As Christians, Romans 12:2 warns us to not copy the patterns and behaviors of this world. You don’t have to do what unbelievers do to have fun. There are different godly things one could do as a Christian to have fun. Contrary to popular belief, Christianity isn’t boring! You can’t be serving God and doing what the world calls “fun” and expect God to be happy. That “lukewarm nature” is what makes the devil happy. “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Revelations 3:16 (NLT)
“Profile of the Lukewarm” By Francis Chan
Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? Or do the words halfhearted, lukewarm, and partially committed fit better?
The Bible says to test ourselves, so I am going to offer you a description of what lukewarm people can look like. As you read these examples, I encourage you to take a searching, honest look at who you are now, and how you are living today.
Lukewarm people:
– Attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians” do, so they go.
– Give money to charity and to the church… as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so.
– Desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.
– Don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin.
– Are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expected of all His followers.
– Rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.
– Gauge their morality or “goodness” by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street.
– Say they love Jesus, and He is a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, money, thoughts, but He isn’t allowed to control their lives.
– Love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.
– Love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves.
* How many of these “lukewarm traits” resonated with how you’re living your own life? Pray for God to work on softening your heart, then choose one specific trait to work on (and pray on) throughout this week.
Just because you are receiving God’s love and grace on a daily basis doesn’t necessarily mean that God is happy with you. You should search yourself and do an honest evaluation of your walk with Christ. Are you living right with Him, or are you still controlled by worldly pleasures? Remember, in the end, everyone will get what they truly deserve. HEAVEN IS REAL. HELL IS REAL. There are some people in hell today who are begging for one last chance to repent of their sins. Don’t let that be you, while there is still time, change your ways.
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Bow Tie was made by me @bowtie_joe7
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