Crazy Love by Francis Chan- Chapter 4 "Profile of the Lukewarm"

When I was in the 3rd grade I had an experience I will never forget. I don’t remember exactly how things got to this point but here is what happened. While my friends and I were talking, another guy came running over yelling my name. I turned around to see this other kid that didn’t like me. He came closer and stopped just in front of me. At that point everything seemed to slow down. I watched as his right foot began to swing toward me. When I noticed he had boots on, I knew this was going to hurt. I think we all know what happened at this point. But in case you need it said, he kicked me below the belt. I fell to the ground and started crying. (I was in 3rd grade, yes I cried.)
Well I just finished chapter 4 of Crazy Love and guess what…I was about on the ground crying again. Chan really took off the gloves and put to print some things that many Christ followers don’t want to hear. The chapter is all about exactly the title. Chan creates a list of possible ways Christ followers can be lukewarm. The thing that I love about each point he makes is that he backs it up with scripture, which is probably whatt made it all hurt so bad as I read through the chapter. For space and copyright issues I can’t type out every point that Chan makes, just another reason to pick the book up and read it yourself. I want to share two that spoke directly into my life.

Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. (Read Matt. 10:32-33)

Ummmmm….does anymore need to be said? That hurts. I have always known that we are supposed to share our faith. But the question I ask myself is why don’t I share it? If I believe what scripture has to say and that Christ did come to die for my sins, then shouldn’t I want to share that with everyone? Go back and click on the scripture link and read the verse. That will give you another gut check that makes it sink in even deeper. Lord, help me to be bold in my faith and willing and able to share my faith with friends, neighbors, coworkers and family.

Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slave to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God. (Read 1 Tim. 6:17-18)

I almost had to stop reading this chapter at this point. It was getting so hard to read that I felt like putting the book down and coming back later, or skipping the rest of the chapter. What came to mind for me was when I played sports. I would risk everything to get a win whether it was football, baseball or wrestling. God has called us to sacrifice and risk things not for this world but for His eternal kingdom. I want to be known as a risk taker for the Kingdom of God. In the end the best thing we can all hear is “well done my good and faithful servant” from God.
This was two of the profiles of the lukewarm from Crazy Love. Go get the book and read the others laid out across 14 pages. It will make you realize some area that you might be living a lukewarm faith. The best part about finishing the chapter….we get a chance to grow. I don’t want to me lukewarm in my faith. I want to be on FIRE. Does that mean everything is perfect and that I’m not going to sin…..NO. My prayer is that God will help me grow and develop into the godly man, willing to risk, sacrifice and share my faith with everyone around me.