ARE WE LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS? | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2024

Author: Basil DCunha

Intro: Are we truly grateful for being saved by Jesus? Basil DCunha asks us to introspect.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-17).

Strong words. But look at it this way: If a man saves you from drowning, won’t he be surprised /shocked, if you just turned away, without thanking him for saving your life? Jesus has already saved us by his crucifixion, death & resurrection. Have we expressed our gratitude to HIM?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16-21).

Jesus also gave us a choice.

Two major evils plague us these days. Greed and Sex. Corruption has reached astronomical levels. It virtually covers every level of human endeavour. We Christians have also become party to it. As far as sexual crimes, we have reached the pits. Even little kids are sexually abused and murdered. 

Naturally the good Lord is not happy. What’s our choice? The lop-sided world or the road to salvation? Should we ignore the one who has saved us from eternal damnation?           

Let’s recall the life of Lazarus the beggar and the wealthy man in Luke 16. The wealthy man didn’t bother about the beggar even though he was sitting outside his palatial home. Verse 22 onwards tells us, The time came when the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire. In a manner of speaking, we are aware of the consequences of living a life of indulgence.

We are made aware of hell. However, we are human. The world’s ways are enticing. Social media is overpowering. Cutting corners seems to be our speciality. The Lord’s ways are sombre. In our hearts, we know what we should choose but the evil one is always playing the ‘tomorrow card’. So, we say yes let’s have fun today, we will choose tomorrow. We permit desire to creep in. As James puts it in 1:15, When desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. And 1 Timothy 6:10 says: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Many of us have taken our religion for granted. We perform our spiritual exercises mechanically, like going for Sunday Mass, receiving Holy Communion, once a year confession, etc. We have kept our spiritual life on the back seat. We have become lukewarm. Each enjoying life’s thrills, with little or no concern for others, or bribing our way to things we must have. So, when the Lord tells us that he will spit us out of his mouth, his reasons are understandable. We are ignoring the one who is saving us from drowning.  

At the same time Jesus loves us, and he keeps sending us SOS messages. He seeks to even visit us as he tells us in Revelation 3:20, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Will we open the door? If we do, he doesn’t come empty-handed. He brings with him four beautiful Gifts:  1. Forgiveness, 2. His own Body and Blood, 3. The Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) and 4. His own Mother to help us as all mothers do and here, it is his own Mother. In other words if you accept him, he will heal your sinful nature with its passions and desires.

If we pray in deep faith, we will have the courage to open the door of our heart to welcome Jesus. James puts it succinctly: Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7, 8).

Consider for a moment, Blessed Carlo Acutis – a 13-year-old, spending time, visiting many countries, during his holidays, exploring the actual miracles that took place from early centuries to the present day. He was totally convinced about the actual presence of JESUS in the species of Holy Communion. Blessed Acutis didn’t stop there; he was so excited about his discovery that he created a website so all could share his joy (www.miracolieucaristici.org). Jesus has given us a gift of momentous value. Young Carlo valued it – is it any surprise that he is well on his way to sainthood.

Compare this to social media where we are dragged into believing that religion is opium, and only meant for old maids. We are encouraged to justify our lust for money irrespective of the means. Porn, adultery, living together before marriage, drugs, prostitution, same-sex marriages, etc. Desire makes us easy victims to the devils’ ploys. We are further indoctrinated to believe that corruption is not a sin. Everybody is doing it, even our elected leaders.  

Should we use the lifesaving jacket offered to us and enjoy eternity forever? Or read $ signs to cheat, enjoy pleasure for a few years then suffer in Hell forever.  Hot for Jesus or Lukewarm? The choice is ours – but we cannot say, ‘I didn’t know.’

Jesus says: For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Basil DCunha is a career counsellor from Goa, India.