Question : I personally have a lot of people (friends) in my life who are lukewarm Christians. As a Christian, is it my job to correct them or to stay away from them?
There is an old saying in preaching: ‘A mist in the pulpit is a fog in the pew.’ The lukewarmness found in the pulpit is the reason for the existence of lukewarm Christians.
Unfortunately, a majority of churches, regardless of denomination, are led by ‘hirelings’ who fail to disciple their congregations and make concerted efforts to help them grow strong in the Word. Consequently, we have Christians who have been following Christ for 40 years but are still spiritually immature.
Are the lukewarm Christian friends really SAVED?
Many who call themselves christians are not saved. I use this litmus in 1st John 4:14–15 to determine if a Christian is a genuine one, or in-name only. A true Christian is a person who testifies that the “the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world…Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”
The Christians-in-name-only do not believe Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to eternal life (i.e they do not believe that God so loved the world and He sent HisONLY son.. and whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life). God did not give multiple choices, multiple ways to have eternal life.
Not Saved? Then DO NOT treat them as believers.
The christians-in-name-only are not christians at all. You must treat these lukewarm friends as unbelievers, share the Gospel. Pray for them. So that they might come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
If they are saved. Correct you “lukewarm Christian” friends in love.
On the other hand, if your lukewarm friends pass the litmus and are genuine christians but are growing slowly, then be patient with them. Love them.
You do not “stay away” from those you love instead “correct” them lovingly. he parental tip “rules without love is rebellion” applies here as well. Let your ‘lukewarm’ friends know that you love them and have their best interests at heart.
Important Bible-verses for handling lukewarm Christian friends.
Lastly, consider these verses:
1 John 4 verses 19–21: “ We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” and the one in
Galatians 6:1-3: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself”
MEME OF THE DAY
