Chapter 4 was a challenging one for many people to read. I know it was for me. In the preface, Chan assured us that this book would not be painless. This is definitely a chapter he had in mind when he wrote that.

The chapter consists primarily of a checklist of what it means to be lukewarm. I think what’s challenging about this list is that it’s likely we can all relate to every single item on it. At least I know I can. Perhaps (and thankfully) not all of the items at once, but I know this list has certainly convicted me.

Chan’s Profile of the Lukewarm (paraphrased from Chapter 4) – how many can you relate to?

Lukewarm people:

• attend church fairly regularly because that’s what “good Christians” do.


• give money to charity / church as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living.


• choose what is popular over what is right when in conflict; they care more about what others think than what God thinks.


• don't really want to be saved from their sin, they just want to be saved from the penalty of their sin.


• are moved by the stories of people who do radical things for Christ, but assume that this is for “extreme” Christians.


• rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends – anyone who might be uncomfortable.


• judge their morality or “goodness” by comparing themselves to others.


• say they love Jesus, and give Him a part of their life…but just a part, not full control.


• love God, but believe that loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is only possible for pastors, missionaries, or radicals.


• love others, but often not as much as themselves; their love is conditional, selective, and often comes with strings attached.


• will serve God and others, but within certain limits.


• are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, but rarely try to give as much as possible.


• do whatever is necessary to keep from feeling guilty.


• play it safe and are slaves to the god of control.


• feel secure because the attend church, were saved, were baptized – are complacent.


• have structured their lives so that they don’t have to live by faith.


• probably drink and swear less than average, but really aren’t that different than your typical unbeliever.

I think the biggest reason we (I) struggled with the list is because we (I) like to believe that we’re (I’m) doing a good job, that we’re (I’m) good people. We (I) like to see hope, to have the happy ending.

But the truth is: we’re (I’m) human.

And because we’re (I’m) human, we (I) fail, we (I) fall short, even our (my) best efforts aren’t good enough. That’s why we (I) need Jesus! Praise God for Jesus!

As I read through Chan’s laundry list, I found myself groaning inwardly at my failures, at my shortcomings. I’d get to one item on the list and say, “hey, that one I’m actually good at,” and have a small little victory party in my head. And that’s my point exactly – we want to be successful. We want to believe we’re good. Or we want to believe we’re not that bad.

When I was in high school I went to an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) basketball camp where one of the speakers warned us not to put other people on a pedestal. No matter how good or holy they may appear to be, a person should not be put on a pedestal.

Why?

Because they’re human. And due to their human-ness, they will fail you. Always. Without question.

That can also be applied to our relationship with God. We’re human. We fail Him. We let Him down. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when.” Due to our human condition, it will happen – and probably more often than we’d like for it to.

But that’s part of the awesomeness of God. "He’s gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love." (Psalm 145:8) He’s a God of second chances. He knows we’ll fail Him. Though he doesn’t like it, and even hates it, He still loves us. And He loves us with a redeeming love. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

Just as my salvation can’t be achieved by my own merit, once saved, there’s nothing that I can do that will remove me from His grip. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Did you read that amazing promise? NOTHING can separate us from the love of God which is only found in Christ Jesus our Lord. NOTHING. And that, my friends, includes my own shortcomings and failures.

In Chapter 4, Chan warns us not to assume that we’re good soil.

I grew up in the rich farmland of South Dakota. Farming has been in my family for generations. The soil on which my family farmed and made their livings is some of the richest, most “good” soil to be found in the world.

However, good soil on its own won’t yield a harvest. Sure, crops might grow for a time, but without constant tending, weeds will overtake the crops. Without proper plowing, even the good soil will become hard and unable to receive seed. Rocks work their way to the surface frequently and must be removed. In other words – good soil requires constant attention, constant nurture in order to remain good.

Chan’s warning didn’t sit well with me at first. But I’ve come to realize that he’s absolutely right. Of my own merit, I would say that I’m pretty rotten soil. But through Jesus Christ, my soil is rich and good.

In my Monday night ladies Bible Study, our leader often says there’s no plateau in our relationship with Jesus Christ. If we’re not moving forward and strengthening it, we’re moving backward and away from Him. To me, this is where the “lukewarm” comes in. It’s an ugly place to be.

Revelation 3:15-17 addresses the lukewarm: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—"

However, God, in His mercy, doesn’t leave us in that hopeless state. He shows us the solution.

The following verses (Rev 3:18-22) continue: “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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 dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Lord, I confess to you my lukewarm-ness – it is so easy for me to slip into comfortable mode, to go through the routines of my daily life without giving you control. Lord, please refine me, so that I might be proved genuine (1 Pet 1:7). I thank you for your promise to complete the good work that you’ve begun in me (Phil 1:6). May my heart and my life be as clay in your hands; mold me to your will (Jer 18:6). Amen.