What is a lukewarm Christian faith?

The idea that our faith could be less than ideal to Jesus is a little scary. But does a lukewarm faith mean we aren't saved? How much do we need to be concerned? Is a lukewarm faith reversible? Let's take a look at Revelation 3:15-21, where we find this reference to being lukewarm. For context, Jesus is describing the faith of those in the Laodicean church in the harshest terms possible:

"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." —Revelation 3:15-21

The people living in Laodicea did not have immediate access to water. But the nearby town of Hierapolis was built around numerous hot springs, so it enjoyed an abundant supply of hot water. This water was sent down to Laodicea by way of an aqueduct. However, by the time the water reached Laodicea, it had cooled to a lukewarm temperature. The residents would need to cool or re-heat their water prior to being fit for use. So this analogy of hot and cold water is one that the Laodicean church would quickly understand.

A Lukewarm Faith is Stagnant

Lukewarm water is neither hot nor cold and therefore not that useful. It's not hot enough to bathe in, and it's not cold enough to drink. Bathing in lukewarm water doesn't make for a very nice shower, and drinking lukewarm water isn't very satisfying. Thus, Jesus is saying that our faith must be either hot or cold in order to be useful.

In biblical times, lukewarm water was more prone to carry diseases, which is another reason why Jesus might have said to the Laodicean church, "I will spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). The lukewarm "taste" of the Laodiceans' religious lives made Jesus feel so sick He felt like vomiting the church out of His mouth.

Someone with a "lukewarm" faith is not necessarily unsaved, though they could be (2 Corinthians 13:5). But a true believer with this kind of faith is stagnant and has little to no effect on their world for the Kingdom of God.

When we live out our faith intentionally, we will grow, have an impact, and keep our faith ALIVE. A "lukewarm" faith doesn't have an impact. Going through "religious motions" without passion leads to stagnation—not growth. Being a "lukewarm Christian" is when we SAY we believe in God and His teachings, but then we don't live our lives in such a way that proves our beliefs.

Examining Your Faith

"Let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load." —Galatians 6:4-5

If you find that you're apathetic about your faith, then you may be in the place where the Laodicean church found itself. There was just no difference between a non-believer and one of these believers. We are to let our light shine and "season" our words with salt to make God's truth taste good (Matthew 5:13-16).

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." —Matthew 5:16

At the same time, faith is not just a matter of "doing the things." Yes, we could be sharing our faith, talking about the gospel, and doing good works. Those are all good things! But if we're just checking things off the list as an excuse to continue sinful habits, nurse our bitterness, indulge in sexal impurity, etc. then our efforts fall quite short of God's glory. The people you talk to about Jesus will think, "They say they're a Christian, but look at how they live."

So how do you stop being lukewarm? It's right there in verse 19: "be zealous and repent!" Being a zealous Christian means that you have great energy or enthusiasm about following God's will for your life. And to "repent" means that you decide to look at sin for what it is and choose the godly path instead.

What does a "useful" faith look like?

Practically speaking, there are a few easy things we can do help make sure our faith is useful, helping us grow, and doing God's work. Pray. Read your Bible. Pray some more! Serve others. Love others. Love God and learn about everything He does and has done. Be forgiving. Be merciful. Truly care about others more than yourself. Practice the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Regularly ask God for direction.

It's important to note that none of these things are "required" for your salvation. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already been saved. But being saved is not a "get out of jail free" card. Our response to God's gift of salvation ought to be obedience and surrender to Him.

Through the Bible, God has instructed us on how He wants His children to live. We are to be a light in the darkness, salt to the earth (Matthew 5:13-17) so that our lives just scream that we are different from the rest of the world. How we live our lives is what causes people to ask us questions about why we are the way you are. And then we need to be ready to expain our faith.

"In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..." —1 Peter 3:15

When our faith is hot or cold, it makes a difference! We need to align the desires of our hearts with God's (Psalm 37:4) and use our faith for good.

"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." —Ephesians 4:22-24

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