Am I a Lukewarm Christian? Here’s How to Know & What to Do About It
Feb 18, 2025
Am I a Lukewarm Christian? Here’s How to Know & What to Do About It.
Ask yourself this question?
“Am I really living for Jesus, or just for my own version of Christianity?”
If that question stings, it’s supposed to. Because there’s a reality many of us are facing: We’ve slipped into a lukewarm Christianity. The kind where we’ve embraced the idea of Jesus, but the fire and purpose of His Great Commission have slowly faded into the background. We’ve been living for ourselves, and we've just tried to add Jesus to our lives to make them better. But that’s not what following Christ is about. He’s not an accessory to our lives—He is our life.
The Lukewarm Christian Reality
Revelation 3:15-16 warns us about lukewarm faith:
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
The lukewarm Christian doesn't want to be radically against Jesus, but they aren’t fully surrendered to Him either. They want the peace, the blessings, and the comfort Jesus offers but struggle to let go of the control, comfort, and security that come from living for themselves. They’re stuck in the middle, where Jesus is just part of the equation rather than the whole.
Living for God vs. Living for Yourself
Could it be that you’ve been living Christianity for your sake instead of for God’s sake?
It’s easy to drift into this mindset. Christianity has been packaged as a way to improve your life, fulfill your desires, or guarantee success. And while Jesus does bring abundant life, the Gospel was never meant to be a tool for our personal gain—it’s meant to be the radical reordering of our lives around Jesus Himself. The truth is, we’re called to lay down our own lives for His sake.
Galatians 2:20 reminds us of the ultimate call:
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
This is the mystery of the Gospel, the glory of God—Christ in you. When you truly embrace this, everything changes. The goal is no longer about striving to build your kingdom, but surrendering to build His. When Christ becomes your life, your desires, ambitions, and purpose are no longer separate from His will—they are one with it.
The Lukewarm Lie: A Jesus Who’s an Add-on
You may have been living a Christianity that focuses on personal growth, self-help, or “blessing” without considering that following Jesus means fully surrendering to His purpose for you. Christianity isn’t just about adding God to your life—it's about laying down your life and putting on Christ.
If you’re living like Jesus is a side project to your main goals, you’re missing the point. When Christ is in you, He redefines everything. It’s not just a decision you make on Sunday; it’s a daily, minute-by-minute surrender to His mission. It’s about living for the Kingdom of God now, not just looking forward to heaven someday.
Matthew 16:24-25 says:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
How to Break Free from Lukewarm Living
If you’re reading this and feeling the weight of that conviction, take heart. Jesus has called you to so much more than lukewarm faith. He has called you to the fire of His purpose and His power. He doesn’t want to leave you there, He wants to pull you into the fullness of what He has for you. And the good news is, He’s ready to help you get there.
Here’s how you can start breaking free:
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Repent of Self-Centered Living
It's time to turn from a self-focused Christianity and start living for Jesus, surrendering every part of your life to His will. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you’ve been living for your own desires instead of His Kingdom. -
Put On Christ
Start each day by reminding yourself that you are not your own; you’ve been bought with a price. Choose to live with the mind of Christ, making His desires your desires, His mission your mission. -
Live in His Power
The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. You don’t have to rely on your own strength to live out the Great Commission or to walk in the fullness of your calling. His power is what makes it possible. -
Embrace the Mission
Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations. This is our ultimate purpose—not to build our own lives, but to build His Kingdom. This is the heart of Christianity. If your life isn't wrapped up in this purpose, then you may need to reevaluate.
The Good News: You’re Not Alone
Here’s the beautiful truth: Jesus doesn’t call us to this life of radical surrender and sacrifice and leave us to figure it out on our own. He promises to be with us always—empowering us, guiding us, filling us with the Holy Spirit.
You were made for this life. You were made to put on Christ, to be His representative on the earth, and to reveal the mystery of the Gospel—the glory of God—through your life. But first, you need to make the choice: Will you continue in lukewarm living, or will you surrender fully to Christ and let Him transform you into His faithful witness?
The Choice Is Yours
If you’re ready for change, ready to live the life you were made for, then it’s time to stop living for yourself and start living for Jesus.
He’s calling you higher. He’s calling you deeper.
Takeaways:
- Lukewarm Christianity is living for yourself while trying to add Jesus to the mix.
- Jesus isn't an accessory to your life—He is your life.
- To follow Christ is to deny yourself, take up your cross, and live for His Kingdom.
- Living for Jesus means surrendering your own desires for His mission.
Scriptures:
- “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” — Revelation 3:15-16
- “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20
- “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” — Matthew 16:24-25
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