Lukewarm Christians??

[Jaiided]

I hope I am putting this in the right place. I have a question/comment. Within the last few months several of my family members have come to Christ and accepted him as their Lord and Savior (6 of us!!). Out of these 6 people only 2 of us are really on fire for Christ.

Let me explain. My mother was with me when I was born again. And thru me there have been 5 more either directly or indirectly. I feel totally changed since being born again, I know I am different. My actions, my thought processes everything and it is the same way with my cousin. The others changed their behavior for a week or to....tops. Now they act as bad or worse then before they were born again. And my mother who was to have been so "mature" in her faith is the worst.

When I bring this up to them I am told by them that they can do pretty much whatever they want as long as they ask for forgiveness. Was I wrong in assuming that part of repenting was changing your actions so you no longer do what you do that causes you to sin? They look at each other and see nothing wrong with what they are doing. I have been accused of being self-righteous.

The things they are doing are not little things, we have adultery, drinking to get drunk, cursing (in front of other Christians), judging other people and making fun of them and one is single and is a role model to young teens and is not practicing Abstinance, but telling the teens that they need to be on the pill because they are going to have sex. And the ting is that they see nothing wrong with what they are doing and cheer each other on. They don't read their bibles, they don't want to hear about God until Sundays. I am not even sure all of them pray.

I am ready to throw my hands up in frustration. Is this what being a Lukewarm Christian means? Was their being born again just lip service because they were scared of being left behind regardless of the timing of the rapture (pretrib :thumb ).

I don't feel like I am judging them. I am worried about them. My cousin and myself are on fire for Christ. I want to stand on the rooftop and announce it (well...maybe not the rooftop..scared of heights). I can't get enough of God's word and I could talk about it all day and half the night. It is always on my mind.

I guess I just don't understand. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Heather

[houseparent]

Was I wrong in assuming that part of repenting was changing your actions so you no longer do what you do that causes you to sin? They look at each other and see nothing wrong with what they are doing. I have been accused of being self-righteous.

I live this every day of my life amonst 95% of the Christians I know. THankfully it's NOT my family (at least not my immediate family).

The church seems to be going through this exact problem. Some to bigger or lesser degrees than others and it's a shame.

Seems that many "believers" feel as your family does. That having "head knowledge" of Jesus and his sacrafice for your sin is "good enough".

In the very LEAST they are "Luke Warm" Christians. But we are told to come out of the world in regard to our actions and behaviors. To not do so is definately un-Christian and will bring on God's judgement.

All you can do is continue to live your life the way that you are and witness to your family as they continue to call you names like "wself-righteous". (I get called Pharisaical...how about that one!)

You're in my prayers.

[glorymj]

Mat 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Mat 13:4 And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Mat 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
Mat 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Mat 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Mat 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

[Wileyzmuse]

Hi Heather....wow, you are dealing with a lot right now. Praise God for your fire for Christ!!

Do you all attend the same church? Have they been through any type of discipleship program after accepting Christ? Sometimes people haven't been taught how to read the Bible or study it or they don't have an understanding as to why it is important.

This is a tough subject!

YSIC,
Patricia

[houseparent]

Joshua 24
15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD ."

CHOOSE

[Jael]

2Cr 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

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1Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

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1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

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1Jo 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

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1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.

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1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

[antsinmypants]

Read:

Romans Chapter 6 & 1 John 3

[D'Light]

Heather...none of us really know is someone is truly saved. But it does have to be something from the heart, not 'just' spoken.

When someone does not want to discuss or think about God 'until' Sunday, I would wonder about that!

:confused

If someone does not want to know the Lord in their daily lives and do not want to walk with Him, and love Him and share His love.....?....And Jesus said, "I do not know thee, turn thyself away from me."

[Jaiided]

Originally posted by Wileyzmuse

Do you all attend the same church? Have they been through any type of discipleship program after accepting Christ? Sometimes people haven't been taught how to read the Bible or study it or they don't have an understanding as to why it is important.


Yes, we do all attend the same church. A discipleship program is in the works, but it hasn't started yet. Hopefully within the next couple of months.

Thanks for the scripture references. I have written them all down and will work on memorizing them. Good for when I have to talk to them regarding things, which is all the time.

The end times events and the rapture is what originally got me thinking about Jesus and being a Christian. Learning what he did is what saved me. I am looking forward to the rapture, but I have so much to do here on earth that I don't dwell on it. I have bought a bible or loaned a bible (until I can afford to buy one) to all of them. My cousin is the only one that I know for sure is reading and studying hers. She comes to me for questions and if I don't know we learn together. I had such a strong urge for Gods word and I still do.

Houseparent, I think you are right. They think as long as they know that Jesus died for them, that is enough, but it isn't. Some of them come to me asking me if what they are doing is ok, and I tell them it is not and whenever I have a chance I back it with scripture. Then they accuse me of being self-righteous. I had one family member tell me that I had to get some of the old Heather back and not center everything I do with Christianity. (I don't think so...) I pray for them and worry for them. I realize that it is a personal choice on what they do, but then again, how does it make us as Christians look. It is the type of hypocritical behavior that made me not want a thing to do Christians when I was young. But there is no way that they are turning me away from it now. Grrr..

[Ponderin]

More Helps!


Hot and Cold (http://community.gospelcom.net/Brix?pageID=5551)


Laodicea

During the first century, the city of Laodicea was the richest and most powerful of the three cities. Located in the Lycus River Valley on the main trade route between the Mediterranean region and Persia, Laodicea was known for its soft black wool that was appreciated throughout the Roman world; its healing eye salve; and its banking. In fact, an ancient writer recorded that the city of approximately 120,000 people refused an emperor’s offer to rebuild following an earthquake. The Laodiceans apparently told the emperor that they were rich and didn’t need his money.

Despite its prosperity, however, Laodicea had a serious problem. Its water, unlike the healing hot springs of Hierapolis or the fresh, cold mountain water of Colosse, was lukewarm and full of minerals. It tasted so bad that it made people sick.





Changing the World by Being Hot and Cold

In light of the water for which the cities of Hierapolis, Colosse and Laodicea were known, the apostle John might have been saying, “If you were hot, like the springs of Hierapolis, you’d bring healing, restoration, and comfort to people who suffer. If you were cold, like the water in Colosse, you’d refresh and encourage people who are hurting. Instead, you are lukewarm. You don’t do anyone any good and you make me sick—just like your own water.” So he challenged Christians today to be hot and cold in our daily lives—to bring people the healing, caring, encouraging touch of Jesus.

We must also be aware of how God prepares people to receive his message and to make the most of the opportunities he has provided. He uses as his example two earthquakes, one in AD 17 and one in AD 60, that destroyed Laodicea before the gospel arrived. Because of these disasters, the people’s faith in their pagan gods wavered. Zeus, Apollo, Domitian, and Demeter didn’t save us, they thought, so who will? They were searching for someone who could fill the gap. So the message of Jesus the Messiah took root in fertile ground. And it appears the believers of Laodicea took John’s warning to heart: the church of Laodicea remained a dynamic community after most of the churches in Asia Minor had disappeared.

[Arabesque]

Thank you very very much for posting this!!!

My daughter was saved a couple of weeks after me, and was "on fire" until a month ago.

She still attends worship each Sunday, and goes to Youth Group, but that's about it.

I am concerned about her. Like I said, she has changed over the past month. I'm not sure, but I think it may have something to do with her new boyfriend. She's putting him first and not Jesus. When I try to talk to her about this, she gets very defensive. I've also tried to teach her some things I've learned and she rolls her eyes at me and leaves the room. "Mom...you're preaching again!!!" is the common phrase I hear from her.

I don't know if I'm being too pushy, or if she has decided that God is not a priority in her life at this time.

I'm thinking that since she is a new Christian (5 months) that she is not strong enough in her faith, and satan is taking advantage of that.

How do you arm someone with the knowledge they need to grow and resist satan if they don't want to listen?

God is really working on my husband. He is saved also, but wasn't that enthusiastic. Now, he's really going strong.

I am still very excited and want to share the good news I've learned... the problem is....nobody wants to listen.

[tenderheart2]

Hi jaiided,

I'm so glad to hear that you and your cousin are on fire for the Lord. Continue to always have a hungry heart and a thirst for righteousness. It all boils down to committment and if one truly is willing to forsake all things to serve the Lord. I know for myself, when I realized I was lost and needed Jesus, I repented of my sins and was instantly changed. I know I'm not the same person anymore as well. I want nothing to do with the old man and my only desire is to live a pure and holy and to please and serve the Lord.

Christ doesn't give us a new nature just so we can go back to our old sins. There should be a healthy hatred for sins now, but I do realize that that is not the case for everyone. I believe that where the church comes up short is in discipleship. People say the sinner's prayer and then is basically left on their own to figure out how to live for the Lord.

When one is saved, bearing good fruit is one of the signs to show that there has been a change. But don't forget we've lived a life of corruption for a long time and there's some things we just have to learn from scratch. As for your family members, continue to stay in constant prayer for them and live your life in Christ before them as well. Don't be concerned if they think you're being self-righteous when one is not living in purity they tend to look down on those that do.

I pray that they will come to their senses and see that they are in a very dangerous disposition and repent.

Blessings,
Kim

[Jaiided]

Originally posted by Arabesque

I am still very excited and want to share the good news I've learned... the problem is....nobody wants to listen.

((((Arabesque))))))


Thank you all very much for your responses. It really does help.
God Bless you all!
Heather

[Patty T]

Originally posted by Arabesque
Thank you very very much for posting this!!!

My daughter was saved a couple of weeks after me, and was "on fire" until a month ago.

She still attends worship each Sunday, and goes to Youth Group, but that's about it.

I am concerned about her. Like I said, she has changed over the past month. I'm not sure, but I think it may have something to do with her new boyfriend. She's putting him first and not Jesus. When I try to talk to her about this, she gets very defensive. I've also tried to teach her some things I've learned and she rolls her eyes at me and leaves the room. "Mom...you're preaching again!!!" is the common phrase I hear from her.

I don't know if I'm being too pushy, or if she has decided that God is not a priority in her life at this time.

I'm thinking that since she is a new Christian (5 months) that she is not strong enough in her faith, and satan is taking advantage of that.

How do you arm someone with the knowledge they need to grow and resist satan if they don't want to listen?

God is really working on my husband. He is saved also, but wasn't that enthusiastic. Now, he's really going strong.

I am still very excited and want to share the good news I've learned... the problem is....nobody wants to listen.

Arabesque,

When I first gave my life to Jesus in 1985, I only lived for Him a very short time - probably less than a year. Turned my back completely for a long time. BUT, in His faithfulness, His goodness, His mercy and His grace, He never, never let go of me. When I came back to Him in 2000, I came back on fire!

Continue to be a good witness for your daughter and pray for her. Jesus said no one will be able to snatch any out of His hand. Not one will be lost. She will be back. Trust Him with her. He is able to take care of those we commit into His hand. And He that began a good work in her, is faithful to complete it.

God Bless,

Patty

[ChristiRB]

Your family is obviously on your heart. I would suggest learning all you can about intercessory prayer or prayer in general. Set aside time every night and devote that time to pray for those members in your family. You will be so surprised at what prayer can do!!!! :thumb