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What I Believe Makes a Lukewarm Faith

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Steven Yeadon, Apr 9, 2018.

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  1. Steven Yeadon

    Steven Yeadon Well-Known Member
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    At this point in time, two years into the faith after revival, I am disheartened by the fact that a number of people tend to have a low expectation of how they should act as Christians.

    Works, both external and internal, are the vernacular of sanctification in the every day. However, I find many Christians prioritize obeying Jesus as not the number one, pressing concern. In fact, it is usually an afterthought to many Christians I meet on the streets of Orlando.

    That said, I believe I can ask a few questions to decide whether someone is potentially lukewarm or not given my own life and revival testimony:

    1. As you read the Word of God, do you apply every single verse over time, those relevant to you?
    2. Are you committed to obeying Jesus and His Word with everything you have as your first priority, every day?​

    I know this because when I began to try and do this in my own life, I started a wild series of events that have matured me and improved and disciplined me in a way that it would be impossible to understand I really was that lost-in-sin guy named Steve two years ago. Even this last escapade back into and then out of Charismaticism, has taught me life changing lessons and matured me in a way that that make that experience almost impossible to repeat.

    Only in the daily struggle of fighting sin in spiritual warfare and of working hard to do the right thing, do I feel any sense of real closeness to a God Who gives me the strength to overcome. A God I am willing to suffer for every, single day in ways small and large to live according to how Jesus would want me to.

    So, what say you, what makes a lukewarm faith? Most importantly, how do we help others wake up to the fact they should have a faith that is hot? When we encounter Christians on the street who are lukewarm, what should we do to wake them up?
     
    #1 Steven Yeadon, Apr 9, 2018
  2. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    A Lukewarm Faith???
    Apathy? Other Priorities? embarrassed to witness?
    dont want to upset the apple cart in the church?
     
    #2 Salty, Apr 9, 2018
  3. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    My friends, Paul and Mildred Greene had a son they named Mike who married a wonderful woman named Ruth. They too had children and they also wrote this song.

    Obedience is the very best way,
    To show that you believe.
    Doing exactly what the Lord commands,
    Doing it happily.
    Action is the key - do it immediately,
    Joy you will receive.
    Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
    O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
    Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.

    We want to live pure we want to live clean.
    We want to do our best.
    Sweetly submitting to authority,
    Leaving to God the rest.
    Walking in the light, keep our attitudes right,
    On the narrow way.
    For if you believe the Word you receive,
    You always will obey!​
     
    #3 agedman, Apr 9, 2018
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  4. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Obedience to God yes! Obedience to false and debraved Pastors, not so much
     
    #4 Earth Wind and Fire, Apr 9, 2018
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  5. Steven Yeadon

    Steven Yeadon Well-Known Member
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    Earth Wind and Fire, I must ask what you believe makes a false and depraved pastor? It is just curiosity as to what exactly you are in opposition against.
     
    #5 Steven Yeadon, Apr 9, 2018
  6. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    Obedience to God-given, godly authority is obedience to God.
    Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
    Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ    ;
     
    #6 Pastor_Bob, Apr 9, 2018
  7. Steven Yeadon

    Steven Yeadon Well-Known Member
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    Salty, are those questions directed at me? If so, I'll answer them.
     
    #7 Steven Yeadon, Apr 9, 2018
  8. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    External "obedience" to a set of rules guarantees little.

    Mark 7
    21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
    22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
    23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

    True obedience comes from being born from above with a new heart.

    Otherwise its only moralism not the righteousness of God

    Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
     
    #8 HankD, Apr 9, 2018
  9. supersoldier71

    supersoldier71 Active Member

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    Is that obedience mandated when the authority in question is acting outside of biblical teachings?

    Does a pastor have the authority to preach something as an imperative that is not taught either explicitly or implicitly in the Bible?
     
    #9 supersoldier71, Apr 9, 2018
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Godly authority, yes. UnGodly authority, no.
    I dealt with a pastor that lied. He lied about important matters in church business. I finally resigned my positions and left because I got so tired of his lies and the toleration of them by other leadership.
     
    #10 Reynolds, Apr 9, 2018
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  11. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    I’m not in opposition to anything. I’m a saved individual so I choose my life very calmly. Now let me ask you, do you believe that every pastor you have in contact with is honest and upstanding?
     
    #11 Earth Wind and Fire, Apr 9, 2018
  12. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    When I find one, then I will be obedient. The last one died so I’m still looking. As a curious point, do you know any wife who submits to their husband? Now think... really?!?
     
    #12 Earth Wind and Fire, Apr 9, 2018
  13. Steven Yeadon

    Steven Yeadon Well-Known Member
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    No, I would never go near a Roman Catholic Priest expecting to hear form someone who knows the God I worship. As for Protestant pastors, I would say the same thing about a New Apostolic Reformation pastor or a health and wealth Gospel pastor.
     
    #13 Steven Yeadon, Apr 9, 2018
  14. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Good, however I could introduce you to some Franciscan brothers who would surprise you.
     
    #14 Earth Wind and Fire, Apr 9, 2018
  15. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    Of course not. On both counts.
     
    #15 Pastor_Bob, Apr 9, 2018
  16. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely. A proper understanding of biblical submission is beneficial for both the husband and the wife.
     
    #16 Pastor_Bob, Apr 9, 2018
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Actually it was somewhat a rhetorical statement-
    All are free to comment on it.
     
    #17 Salty, Apr 9, 2018
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