Lukewarm Christian

IAM815518

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I feel like such a foolish child! I want to know right from wrong. The more I try to be righteous, I fail. I’m tired of being like this. I don’t want to be a lukewarm Christian!

We’re having a home church meeting today, and my neighbors are also gathering themselves together for their ancient spiritual ceremonies. They serve their god in their own way, and I used to feel sorry for them, but I feel like they’re more sincere and righteous than I.

My prayer request is for my mind. I try my best to always be righteous even in thoughts, but I keep messing up, and realizing I wouldn’t think these things around Jesus if he were here with me. But I tell myself Jesus was a man, and he wouldn’t fully understand a female.

Ugh! This is probably wrong. Someone, anyone please pray for me. I’m tired of being the chiefest of fools.
 

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I feel like such a foolish child! I want to know right from wrong. The more I try to be righteous, I fail. I’m tired of being like this. I don’t want to be a lukewarm Christian!

We’re having a home church meeting today, and my neighbors are also gathering themselves together for their ancient spiritual ceremonies. They serve their god in their own way, and I used to feel sorry for them, but I feel like they’re more sincere and righteous than I.

My prayer request is for my mind. I try my best to always be righteous even in thoughts, but I keep messing up, and realizing I wouldn’t think these things around Jesus if he were here with me. But I tell myself Jesus was a man, and he wouldn’t fully understand a female.

Ugh! This is probably wrong. Someone, anyone please pray for me. I’m tired of being the chiefest of fools.
You are not alone, I struggle too but remember, Jesus is our Lord and Saviour and He loves us and since He is God and He created us I believe He understands both male and females. God bless you and Jesus is Lord.
 
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Mark Quayle

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I feel like such a foolish child! I want to know right from wrong. The more I try to be righteous, I fail. I’m tired of being like this. I don’t want to be a lukewarm Christian!

We’re having a home church meeting today, and my neighbors are also gathering themselves together for their ancient spiritual ceremonies. They serve their god in their own way, and I used to feel sorry for them, but I feel like they’re more sincere and righteous than I.

My prayer request is for my mind. I try my best to always be righteous even in thoughts, but I keep messing up, and realizing I wouldn’t think these things around Jesus if he were here with me. But I tell myself Jesus was a man, and he wouldn’t fully understand a female.

Ugh! This is probably wrong. Someone, anyone please pray for me. I’m tired of being the chiefest of fools.

There is much to be gained in realizing that you can do nothing apart from Christ. I don't mean that it isn't your job to obey, but that obedience too is the work of God in you. The problem, apparently with modern Christendom, is the Church has unwittingly fallen into the flesh's mindset, that we can do our part --as if we had a part that God does not have.

We cannot impress God, nor do we have complete responsibility over our own lives. Pray without ceasing. He does not stand back and watch to see what we will do. He has already planned what we will do. And he does it.
 
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Oldmantook

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I feel like such a foolish child! I want to know right from wrong. The more I try to be righteous, I fail. I’m tired of being like this. I don’t want to be a lukewarm Christian!

We’re having a home church meeting today, and my neighbors are also gathering themselves together for their ancient spiritual ceremonies. They serve their god in their own way, and I used to feel sorry for them, but I feel like they’re more sincere and righteous than I.

My prayer request is for my mind. I try my best to always be righteous even in thoughts, but I keep messing up, and realizing I wouldn’t think these things around Jesus if he were here with me. But I tell myself Jesus was a man, and he wouldn’t fully understand a female.

Ugh! This is probably wrong. Someone, anyone please pray for me. I’m tired of being the chiefest of fools.
Although Jesus wasn't female, he is God so he understands you better than you understand yourself. The Apostle Paul whom is admired for his lifestyle and commitment to God and preaching the gospel message once described himself as the worst of sinners in 1 Timothy 1:15. So take heart and be patient with yourself as you seek to live a sanctified life.
 
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Mark Quayle

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Although Jesus wasn't female, he is God so he understands you better than you understand yourself. The Apostle Paul whom is admired for his lifestyle and commitment to God and preaching the gospel message once described himself as the worst of sinners in 1 Timothy 1:15. So take heart and be patient with yourself as you seek to live a sanctified life.
I would add to that, that we don't even know what about us is the worst thing, from God's point of view (the only real POV). We are not our own judges. Be satisfied in that God has chosen you for his purposes and not yours, and that he is directing your steps, even when you don't follow his direction. The judge of all the world will do what is right. Your best can never measure up. You cannot gain status with him --you are already in that status.
 
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royal priest

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I feel like such a foolish child! I want to know right from wrong. The more I try to be righteous, I fail. I’m tired of being like this. I don’t want to be a lukewarm Christian!

We’re having a home church meeting today, and my neighbors are also gathering themselves together for their ancient spiritual ceremonies. They serve their god in their own way, and I used to feel sorry for them, but I feel like they’re more sincere and righteous than I.

My prayer request is for my mind. I try my best to always be righteous even in thoughts, but I keep messing up, and realizing I wouldn’t think these things around Jesus if he were here with me. But I tell myself Jesus was a man, and he wouldn’t fully understand a female.

Ugh! This is probably wrong. Someone, anyone please pray for me. I’m tired of being the chiefest of fools.
A sinner trying to be righteous. God calls sinner's to do and to be the impossible. How can someone accustomed to doing evil do anything that is good? Can the leopard change his spots or the Ethiopian change the color of his skin?
Only God is holy, so how can He expect us to be holy?
Jesus: the things impossible with men are possible with God.
Our sanctification comes from God. Without Him we can do nothing. It is by Him that we will and do of His good pleasure.
Puritan, Walter Marshall put it well:
believers should not act for life, but from life. They must act as those that are not procuring life by their works, but as such who have already received and derived life from Christ, and act from the power and virtue received from Him.

The Apostle Paul States it much better:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

In another place, Paul said that God's strength is perfected in our weakness.
Therefore, whenever God puts our weakness on display, we ought to drop to our knees pleading for His enabling grace.
 
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Oldmantook

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I would add to that, that we don't even know what about us is the worst thing, from God's point of view (the only real POV). We are not our own judges. Be satisfied in that God has chosen you for his purposes and not yours, and that he is directing your steps, even when you don't follow his direction. The judge of all the world will do what is right. Your best can never measure up. You cannot gain status with him --you are already in that status.
That is true. However we are admonished to continue in the faith and walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. The choice is always ours to make.
 
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Oldmantook

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I would add to that, that we don't even know what about us is the worst thing, from God's point of view (the only real POV). We are not our own judges. Be satisfied in that God has chosen you for his purposes and not yours, and that he is directing your steps, even when you don't follow his direction. The judge of all the world will do what is right. Your best can never measure up. You cannot gain status with him --you are already in that status.
I wonder whether you agree with my assessment since we are discussing the lukewarm Christian as it pertains to what Jesus stated to the Laodicean Church in Rev 3:15-16. It had always puzzled me why Jesus would condemn the Christian for being lukewarm instead of the Christian who is cold. Of course being hot is best but after all, isn't lukewarm better than being cold? I finally figured out why. The lukewarm believer is like the proverbial frog in the kettle who can adjust his body temperature to the warming kettle on the stove. But once the water begins to boil, it is too late and the frog dies - boiled alive. Same way with the lukewarm Christian who adjusts to and accommodates sin in his/her life until it is too late and spiritually dies. That is why Jesus in Rev 3:20 urges the Christian to open the door so He can come in. This verse is used out of context to evangelize the unbeliever but in proper context is addressed to the believer who has become lukewarm. Your thoughts?
 
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royal priest

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I wonder whether you agree with my assessment since we are discussing the lukewarm Christian as it pertains to what Jesus stated to the Laodicean Church in Rev 3:15-16. It had always puzzled me why Jesus would condemn the Christian for being lukewarm instead of the Christian who is cold. Of course being hot is best but after all, isn't lukewarm better than being cold? I finally figured out why. The lukewarm believer is like the proverbial frog in the kettle who can adjust his body temperature to the warming kettle on the stove. But once the water begins to boil, it is too late and the frog dies - boiled alive. Same way with the lukewarm Christian who adjusts to and accommodates sin in his/her life until it is too late and spiritually dies. That is why Jesus in Rev 3:20 urges the Christian to open the door so He can come in. This verse is used out of context to evangelize the unbeliever but in proper context is addressed to the believer who has become lukewarm. Your thoughts?
I think the key phrase in identifying the lukewarm believer is where Jesus says, " I will vomit you out." This is language of being cast out which will happen to the impenitent on judgement day. Such an indictment of our Lord seems to categorize these believer's with those found in Matthew 7:21-23.
Hypocrites flatter themselves by their many outward expressions of religion while neglecting dealing with their heart sins.
Revelation 3:17
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do
not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
 
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My first prayer is that you will know Who your Heavenly Father is. To say that he does not understand females, whom He created, indicates you need to pray to understand his omniscience.

Next I pray you will quit beating yourself up over the fact that you are not perfect, but are a work in progress
I pray lastly that you will be led to a close relationship with the Father.
 
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IAM815518

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A sinner trying to be righteous. God calls sinner's to do and to be the impossible. How can someone accustomed to doing evil do anything that is good? Can the leopard change his spots or the Ethiopian change the color of his skin?
Only God is holy, so how can He expect us to be holy?
Jesus: the things impossible with men are possible with God.
Our sanctification comes from God. Without Him we can do nothing. It is by Him that we will and do of His good pleasure.
Puritan, Walter Marshall put it well:
believers should not act for life, but from life. They must act as those that are not procuring life by their works, but as such who have already received and derived life from Christ, and act from the power and virtue received from Him.

The Apostle Paul States it much better:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

In another place, Paul said that God's strength is perfected in our weakness.
Therefore, whenever God puts our weakness on display, we ought to drop to our knees pleading for His enabling grace.


Yes, you’re right. I haven’t read much of the New Testament, but I’m working towards it. I’m still in the Old Testament, but when I skip ahead to N.T., I feel guilty like I’m cheating.

Again, thanks for your wisdom.
 
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IAM815518

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You are not alone, I struggle too but remember, Jesus is our Lord and Saviour and He loves us and since He is God and He created us I believe He understands both male and females. God bless you and Jesus is Lord.


I feel bad for writing that last part about Jesus not understanding females. I realize now how foolish that was. Thanks, and God bless you too!
 
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IAM815518

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Although Jesus wasn't female, he is God so he understands you better than you understand yourself. The Apostle Paul whom is admired for his lifestyle and commitment to God and preaching the gospel message once described himself as the worst of sinners in 1 Timothy 1:15. So take heart and be patient with yourself as you seek to live a sanctified life.

Amen! I’d like to read into the New Testament, but I’m not done reading through Old Testament. I feel heavy with guilt when I skip ahead to N.T.
 
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IAM815518

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My first prayer is that you will know Who your Heavenly Father is. To say that he does not understand females, whom He created, indicates you need to pray to understand his omniscience.

Next I pray you will quit beating yourself up over the fact that you are not perfect, but are a work in progress
I pray lastly that you will be led to a close relationship with the Father.

That’s a beautiful prayer. I shall pray that too. And yes, I admit that I’ve got a lot of spiritual growing up to do.
 
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IAM815518

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There is much to be gained in realizing that you can do nothing apart from Christ. I don't mean that it isn't your job to obey, but that obedience too is the work of God in you. The problem, apparently with modern Christendom, is the Church has unwittingly fallen into the flesh's mindset, that we can do our part --as if we had a part that God does not have.

We cannot impress God, nor do we have complete responsibility over our own lives. Pray without ceasing. He does not stand back and watch to see what we will do. He has already planned what we will do. And he does it.


Well said, Sir Quayle! I can’t wait until I finish reading O.T., and start the N.T. Don’t get me wrong, I have read New Testament before; I’m just rereading the Bible over again.

You’re right that the church has fallen into a carnal mindset. There’s so much Christians I know of who post about their wealthy lives online under #blessed. It wouldn’t bother me, but they’re my relatives. And it’s them who make me feel like I’m not a Christian because I don’t attend their churches. Some are called prophets, and I respect them a lot, yet they have many girlfriends. So I feel like God is okay with everything they do, and that I can live like them too. But these are just thoughts, and I know deep down that it’s wrong. Sorry, I went off subject.
 
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A sinner trying to be righteous. God calls sinner's to do and to be the impossible. How can someone accustomed to doing evil do anything that is good? Can the leopard change his spots or the Ethiopian change the color of his skin?
Only God is holy, so how can He expect us to be holy?
Jesus: the things impossible with men are possible with God.
Our sanctification comes from God. Without Him we can do nothing. It is by Him that we will and do of His good pleasure.
Puritan, Walter Marshall put it well:
believers should not act for life, but from life. They must act as those that are not procuring life by their works, but as such who have already received and derived life from Christ, and act from the power and virtue received from Him.

The Apostle Paul States it much better:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

In another place, Paul said that God's strength is perfected in our weakness.
Therefore, whenever God puts our weakness on display, we ought to drop to our knees pleading for His enabling grace.
This and I will add one more thing -
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 
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