Many of us are wondering what life will look like on the other side of COVID-19.  How long will we wear masks, fear crowds and shelter at home? Will the economy bounce back? Will my job be there for me after this break? What we want to know is… Will things ever return to normal? 

The truth is life may never look normal again.  One thing I learned this week… I hope it never does. 

Let me explain.  Normal for most of us who call ourselves Christ followers was pretty blasie. Most of us were so busy making a living we never made a life.  Jesus was a genie we used to get what we wanted or blame when we didn’t get what we desired.  There is a word for this type of living that Jesus used: “lukewarm”.

It comes from Revelation 3 and he says, “I would prefer you were hot or cold in regards to me… but not room temp.” Pick a side!  

My oldest daughter recently sent me a blog she saw about the definition of a lukewarm Christian. I recently referenced this during one of our online services (watch HERE).  As you read through, score yourself… 1 being “not me at all” and 5 being “absolutely me”.  See how lukewarm you are. 

The Description of a Lukewarm Christian: 

1. Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly and sing worship songs, but don’t even think about what they are hearing or singing. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians” do, so they go to church and check off the box. Isaiah 29:13
2. Lukewarm people give money to charity and the church as long as it doesn’t impose on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it’s easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? 1 Chronicles 21:24, Luke 21:1-4
3. Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both in the church and outside of the church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. Luke 6:26, Revelation 3:1, Matthew 23:5-7
4. Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they only want to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sin and they aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry for it because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. John 10:10, Romans 6:1-2
5. Lukewarm people are moved by stories of people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such actions are for “extreme” Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expected of all His followers. James 1:22, James 4:17, Matthew 21:28-31
6. Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, co-workers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people feel uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. Matthew 10:32-33
7. Lukewarm people gauge their morality or their “goodness” by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren’t as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they’re nowhere near as awful as the guy down the street. Luke 18:11-12
8. Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives, their money and their thoughts, but He isn’t allowed to control their lives. Luke 9:57-62
9. Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn’t really possible for the average person; it’s only for pastors, missionaries, and radicals. Matthew 22:37-38
10. Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love for others is typically focused on those who love them in return – like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with – there is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional, very selective, and generally comes with strings attached. Matthew 5:43-47, Luke 14:12-14
11. Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are often limits to how far they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give. Luke 18:21-25
12. Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next months’ vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come in eternity.  Phillipians 3:18-20
13. Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. Matthew 24:53, Isaiah 50:6-7
14. Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be “good enough” without requiring too much of them. 1 Chronicles 29:14, Matthew 13:44-46
15. Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from being self-sacrificing and taking risks for God. Matthew 10:28
16. Lukewarm people feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, and/or live in America. They do not find security in God’s grace alone. Psalm 20:7 

One thing I learned this week is I really hope we don’t go back to normal.

At least not normal like lukewarm.  Let’s don’t be normal. Let’s be weird.