How To NOT Be LUKEWARM Anymore!

NeedGod net

20 Feb 202403:22

Summary

TLDRThe video explains the true meaning of being a 'lukewarm Christian' as mentioned in Revelation 3:16. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't refer to someone lacking passion for God but rather those who rely on their own self-righteousness instead of Jesus for salvation. The lukewarm reference stems from the city's lukewarm water, which is undesirable. The speaker argues that videos listing signs of lukewarmness mislead people into thinking that improving their behavior secures salvation, when true faith lies in trusting Jesus' sacrifice, not one's own efforts.

Takeaways

🔍 The term 'lukewarm Christian' comes from Revelation 3:16, where Jesus criticizes lukewarm behavior.
🔥 'Hot' refers to being passionate or 'on fire' for God, while 'cold' means being refreshing and useful. Lukewarm, by contrast, is undesirable and ineffective.
💧 The metaphor stems from the Laodicean church, where water arrived lukewarm through aqueducts, and no one liked drinking it.
😧 Jesus warns that He will 'spit out' lukewarm Christians, implying rejection and severe consequences.
💰 The lukewarm in this context are those who believe they are rich and self-sufficient, thinking they need nothing from Jesus.
❌ These people rely on their own efforts or self-righteousness instead of trusting fully in Jesus for salvation.
💡 The next verse (Revelation 3:17-18) shows that salvation comes from Jesus, not self-reliance, urging people to seek 'gold refined by fire,' white garments, and spiritual healing from Him.
🚫 Videos that present 10 signs of being lukewarm can reinforce a works-based mindset, encouraging people to fix their behavior rather than relying on Jesus.
❤️ The key to avoiding lukewarmness is trusting fully in Jesus' sacrifice for salvation, not in one’s own behavior or deeds.
🙏 Out of love and gratitude for Jesus' forgiveness, believers should seek to obey Him, not to avoid being lukewarm but because they know they are accepted by God.

Q & A

What is the common misunderstanding about being a 'lukewarm Christian'?
-The common misunderstanding is that being 'lukewarm' refers to a lack of enthusiasm or not doing enough good deeds for God. Many believe it's about failing to live up to certain religious standards.
What does the term 'lukewarm' actually mean in the context of Revelation 3:16?
-In Revelation 3:16, 'lukewarm' refers to people who are self-reliant and think they don't need Jesus. It symbolizes spiritual complacency, where someone trusts in their own righteousness rather than in Jesus' sacrifice.
Why does Jesus threaten to 'spit' lukewarm Christians out of His mouth?
-Jesus threatens to 'spit' them out because they are neither fully devoted to Him nor fully rejecting Him. Lukewarm individuals are self-righteous, trusting in their own efforts rather than acknowledging their need for salvation through Jesus.
What is the significance of the reference to hot and cold water in this passage?
-The hot and cold water imagery refers to the water sources in Laodicea. Hot water from one city and cold water from another were both valuable, but when lukewarm, the water was undesirable. Similarly, lukewarm Christians are neither valuable nor pleasing to God.
What does the next verse, Revelation 3:17, reveal about lukewarm Christians?
-Revelation 3:17 reveals that lukewarm Christians think they are spiritually rich, self-sufficient, and in need of nothing. However, they are actually wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked, unaware of their true spiritual condition.
Why is self-righteousness a key issue in being lukewarm?
-Self-righteousness is key because lukewarm Christians rely on their own works and efforts to be saved, rather than trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice. This self-dependence leads to spiritual complacency and blindness to their need for grace.
How does Jesus counsel lukewarm Christians in Revelation 3:18?
-Jesus counsels them to 'buy from Him' gold refined by fire (true spiritual wealth), white garments (righteousness), and salve for their eyes (spiritual insight). These are metaphors for salvation and spiritual renewal.
How do videos with '10 signs you are lukewarm' reinforce the wrong message?
-These videos often promote the idea that people need to follow certain behaviors to avoid being lukewarm. This reinforces the self-reliant mindset, making people focus on their own actions rather than trusting in Jesus for salvation.
What is the solution to avoid being a lukewarm Christian, according to the speaker?
-The solution is to put full trust in Jesus’ sacrifice for salvation, not in one’s own performance or behavior. Believers should rely on His actions alone to be saved, which will naturally lead to obedience out of love and gratitude.
Why is relying on personal performance to get to heaven considered lukewarm?
-Relying on personal performance reflects self-righteousness and a lack of dependence on Jesus. It places faith in one’s own ability to earn salvation, which contradicts the gospel message of grace through faith in Jesus alone.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Understanding Lukewarm Christianity

This paragraph introduces the common misunderstanding of what it means to be a 'lukewarm Christian.' The speaker refers to videos that attempt to define lukewarm Christianity with a list of behaviors or traits, but highlights two major flaws in such interpretations. First, people often misinterpret the term 'lukewarm' from Revelation 3:16, where Jesus says he will spit out the lukewarm. This is not about being indifferent or half-hearted in faith, but rather a deeper issue tied to self-righteousness and reliance on one's own efforts rather than on Jesus.

📖 The Biblical Context of Lukewarmness

In this section, the speaker explains the historical and cultural context of the term 'lukewarm' in Revelation 3:16. They discuss how the church in Laodicea received water from nearby hot and cold springs that became lukewarm by the time it reached the city. This lukewarm water was unappealing, unlike hot or cold water, which had desirable uses. In the same way, Jesus uses this analogy to describe the spiritual state of the Laodiceans as undesirable. Being 'lukewarm' is not about failing to meet certain religious expectations, but about being spiritually complacent and self-sufficient.

🧾 Misconceptions About Lukewarm Christians

The speaker addresses the core misconception about lukewarm Christians. They clarify that lukewarmness does not refer to attending church irregularly or failing to perform enough good deeds. Instead, it relates to self-righteousness and the belief that one can earn salvation through their own merits. The speaker references Revelation 3:17 to show that the Laodiceans thought they were spiritually rich, not realizing their true spiritual poverty and need for Jesus.

⚠️ The Danger of Self-Righteousness

This paragraph explores how self-reliance leads to spiritual lukewarmness. Jesus urges the Laodiceans to buy from him gold refined by fire, white garments, and salve to heal their blindness, all of which symbolize salvation and spiritual renewal. The real issue is that the people of Laodicea were trusting in their own accomplishments rather than relying on Jesus for salvation, and this is what makes them lukewarm.

🚫 The Problem with 'Signs of Lukewarmness' Videos

The speaker critiques the popular videos that list signs of being a lukewarm Christian. These videos often encourage viewers to evaluate their actions and strive harder to follow rules in order to avoid being lukewarm. However, the speaker argues that this approach actually reinforces the problem of self-righteousness, as it encourages people to focus on their behavior rather than trusting fully in Jesus for their salvation.

✅ Trusting in Jesus, Not in Works

The final section offers a solution to lukewarmness, which is to place full trust in Jesus rather than one's own performance. The speaker emphasizes that salvation is not about following a set of rules or improving behavior to earn God’s favor. Instead, it’s about recognizing one's inability to save themselves and relying solely on Jesus’ sacrifice. This realization leads to a genuine motivation to obey God out of love and gratitude, rather than fear of being 'spit out' for not doing enough.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lukewarm Christian

A 'lukewarm Christian' refers to someone who is neither fully committed to their faith (hot) nor entirely rejecting it (cold). In the video, the speaker argues that lukewarm Christians are those who rely on their own efforts rather than on Jesus to achieve salvation. They may appear outwardly self-sufficient, but they are spiritually poor and blind, as described in Revelation 3:16-17.

💡Revelation 3:16

This Bible verse, spoken by Jesus, is where the term 'lukewarm' originates. Jesus says, 'Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.' The speaker explains that 'lukewarm' refers to water that has lost its desired temperature, much like the spiritual state of the people addressed. It serves as a warning that self-reliance, rather than faith in Christ, leads to rejection by God.

💡Hot and Cold

'Hot' and 'cold' in the video symbolize useful states in relation to faith. 'Hot' is often seen as being on fire for God, while 'cold' is sometimes interpreted as rejecting God. The speaker clarifies that both hot and cold are positive in this metaphor; hot water is useful for certain tasks, as is cold water. The issue is being lukewarm—ineffective and undesirable.

💡Self-righteousness

Self-righteousness refers to the belief that one can achieve salvation through their own actions and moral goodness. In the video, the speaker criticizes lukewarm Christians for being self-righteous, as they rely on their own efforts, thinking they are 'rich' and 'prospered,' instead of humbly depending on Jesus for salvation.

💡Salvation

Salvation is the central concept of Christian faith, referring to being saved from sin and its consequences, usually through faith in Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that true salvation comes from trusting in Jesus, not from one’s personal performance or adherence to rules, which is what lukewarm Christians mistakenly believe.

💡Gold refined by fire

This phrase from Revelation 3:18 symbolizes true spiritual wealth that can only be obtained through Christ. In the video, the speaker explains that Jesus advises lukewarm Christians to seek this kind of gold, meaning they should seek genuine faith and righteousness that comes from Him, rather than relying on material prosperity or self-righteousness.

💡White garments

In the Bible, white garments often symbolize purity and righteousness. The speaker mentions that lukewarm Christians are advised by Jesus to clothe themselves in white garments, representing the covering of their spiritual shame through salvation in Christ. It contrasts with their current self-reliance, which leaves them spiritually 'naked.'

💡Spiritual blindness

Spiritual blindness refers to the inability to recognize one’s need for salvation or to see the truth of the gospel. In the video, lukewarm Christians are described as 'blind' because they are unaware of their true spiritual state, believing themselves to be self-sufficient and prosperous, when in reality they are in need of Christ’s salvation.

💡Good deeds vs. faith

The contrast between good deeds and faith is a central theme in the video. Lukewarm Christians believe that their good deeds or adherence to religious practices will earn them salvation. However, the speaker stresses that salvation comes solely through faith in Jesus, and good deeds are a response to being saved, not the means to attain it.

💡Motivation for obedience

The speaker emphasizes that the motivation for obeying God should come from love and gratitude for the salvation Jesus has provided, rather than from fear or a desire to avoid being 'lukewarm.' This concept highlights the shift from trying to earn salvation through behavior to living out faith as a response to being saved by grace.

Highlights

The term 'lukewarm' originates from Revelation 3:16, where Jesus speaks of lukewarm Christians being spit out of his mouth.

The common interpretation that 'hot' means being on fire for God and 'cold' means rejecting God is incorrect.

The analogy comes from the historical context of Laodicea, where lukewarm water was considered undesirable compared to hot or cold water.

Hot and cold water are both seen as positive qualities, while lukewarm water represents spiritual indifference.

Being lukewarm refers to those who believe they are spiritually rich and self-sufficient, not realizing their true spiritual poverty.

The next verse in Revelation 3:17 highlights that lukewarm people are spiritually 'wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.'

Jesus counsels lukewarm Christians to seek true spiritual wealth, white garments, and healing for their blindness, which symbolize salvation.

Lukewarm Christians rely on their own works and self-righteousness, instead of trusting in Jesus for their salvation.

Many videos that give 'signs' of lukewarmness can mislead people into thinking they need to follow a checklist to avoid being lukewarm.

Attempting to follow rules to confirm one’s salvation reinforces trust in one’s own behavior rather than Jesus' sacrifice.

Salvation comes not from cleaning up one’s life or following rules, but from trusting in what Jesus has already done.

Realizing our inability to save ourselves should lead us to place full trust in Jesus' finished work.

Obedience to God comes from gratitude for forgiveness and not from trying to earn salvation.

A person is lukewarm if they trust in their performance for salvation, rather than relying solely on Jesus.

The way to avoid being a lukewarm Christian is to trust in Jesus’ sacrifice, not in one’s own behavior or good deeds.