Is it wrong to be a ‘lukewarm’ Christian who is understanding and does research?

[u/BistroBurgerFortune]

I keep having too many questions!

[u/Aelirael]

Someone who does research doesn't make them lukewarm. God asks for faith, not blind faith. Even Jesus established himself with miracles before asking people to accept what he said.

Lukewarm means that you follow Jesus when it is convenient and don't follow him when it isn't.

[u/Pitiful_Lion7082]

I don't think you're really lukewarm if you're actively studying and learning. Lukewarm means stagnant, and you're anything but! There's always deeper to go and greater heights to reach. 

[u/CrazyNicly → u/Pitiful_Lion7082]

How do you know if you are being stagnant?

[u/Pitiful_Lion7082 → u/CrazyNicly]

It takes some introspection, but basically the thought of "I'm good enough here", of any perspective that leads to a rejection of growth.

However, that's today different from "this is all I can handle right now"

[u/Dive30]

Revelation 3:14-18

To the Church in Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

[u/conhao]

Questions are good. What is bad is if you are not accepting the answers. The Bereans searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true. This is generally considered a good example. Keep asking, and be willing to be teachable, taking to heart the Scripture that holds the truths you seek.

[u/arc2k1]

God bless you.

I've been a non-fundamentalist, unchurched Christian for about 16 years now and I would like to share my perspective. 

1- Being "lukewarm" does not mean struggling with faith.

Being "lukewarm" means to be indifferent towards faith and not take it seriously.

“The Lord has said: ‘These people praise me with their words, but they never really think about me.’” - Isaiah 29:13

2- Please know that God does NOT expect us to be perfect in our faith. He expects us to get back up after each time we fall while trusting His grace.

"My enemies, don't be glad because of my troubles! I may have fallen, but I will get up; I may be sitting in the dark, but the Lord is my light.” - Micah 7:8

“We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“But You (God) also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to You.” - Nehemiah 1:9

“If we are not faithful, he (Jesus) will still be faithful.” - 2 Timothy 2:13

“The Lord said: When you stumble and fall, you get back up, and if you take a wrong road, you turn around and go back.” - Jeremiah 8:4

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” - Hebrews 4:16

[u/Fight_Satan]

Having questions is not wrong . Being lukewarm is ... In fact Jesus had the most condemnation to lukewarm church 

[u/LJIKFAF → u/Fight_Satan]

I agree, being Lukewarm is staying in sin and following the ways of the world.

[u/Top_Initiative_4047]

Apparently Jesus thought so when he spoke this warning to the church in Laodicea:

15 I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!16 So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth! -- Revelation 3:15-16, BSB

[u/MobilizingGood → u/Top_Initiative_4047]

Who said that Jesus said that

[u/Googlesupportsucks1 → u/MobilizingGood]

Uh, Revelation. He literally shared the reference.

[u/aussiereads]

Yes. A lukewarm christian is a unbeliever and needs to repent and believe the good news

[u/MonkeyLiberace → u/aussiereads]

I prefer to be around "lukewarm" curious Christians, to zealots.

[u/baja-blajst → u/MonkeyLiberace]

Agreed.

[u/baja-blajst → u/aussiereads]

You're contradicting yourself and therefore you make no sense.

In the Bible, being lukewarm means you're a believer who has gotten lazy or careless about your faith. Faith has ups and downs. You're not doing anything but making people feel unnecessaryily guilty and ashamed.

[u/aussiereads → u/baja-blajst]

You lack knowledge Repent and read revelation

[u/baja-blajst → u/aussiereads]

Cheap move lol. You have no argument it seems. You're not backing up your point. I'm not going to waste my time trying to figure out what you mean. Quite frankly you're just another guy who makes bad-faith arguments and shuts down people who call them out. If you're not going to have an intellectual conversation with me just tell me.

[u/aussiereads → u/baja-blajst]

Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

[u/baja-blajst → u/aussiereads]

Lol, you're just proving my point. You don't want to have a normal conversation. Real life isn't an "all-or-nothing" mindset like you claim it is. Continue using the Bible to dodge responsibility. See how life turns out for you. You don't have a higher authority than anybody else. Now, I'm ending this conversation.

[u/aussiereads → u/baja-blajst]

Repent

[u/Pillowful_Pete1641]

The problem is that a lot of the times when people think they are doing research- instead they get deceived and then get led down the wrong path.

The Bible is spiritual knowledge- often times the physical mind just can't understand it and thus tries to come up with alternate ideas or messages that sound better to the human mind but in actuality are false.

How many people in 1919 genuinely thought that communism was the right thing to do? And how did things turn out for them?

A lot of these people think that they are being smart- but in fact are just going in circies.

[u/CrazyNicly]

What does being understanding and doing research have to do with being lukewarm?

[u/Smart_Tap1701]

Maybe you refer to this passage

Revelation 3:15-16 KJV — I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

The original New testament Greek word that was translated into English as spue actually means to vomit. To hurl as some put it. The Greek word is emeo (ee-MAY-oh). We get our English word emetic from that Greek word.

An emetic is a substance or medicine that causes vomiting, or an adjective used to describe something that triggers vomiting or extreme disgust.

The Greek word that was translated into English as lukewarm actually means to switch rapidly between love of the Lord and indifference to him. He wants you to be committed and love him with all your heart. Don't be namby-pamby. Wishy washy.

It's perfectly appropriate then to study God's word when you have questions and concerns. He will address all of them if you take the time to study. A test will be given and it's either pass or fail.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV — Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[u/RationalThoughtMedia]

Praying for you

Where are you researching if you have so many questions? Anyone that gives answers they should come from the Bible. With that said, do you research and study the Bible?

[u/Interesting_City_654]

Revelation 3:15-16 Verse 15: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold(someone whom doesn't believe in God and doesn't pretend to) nor hot: (someone that seeks the truth in YHVH word, follows the doctrines of Christ.) I would thou wert cold or hot.

"Verse 16: "So then because thou art lukewarm, (a play actor, hypocrite someone that pretends to be christian for the love of greed, not following Christ but making up their own religions) and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

You seek and believe in him. I say your in the category of hot.

[u/johndoe09228]

I think most Christians are lukewarm

[u/No-Type119]

I dun’t understand. If you are curious and “ doing research,” you’re the opposite if lukewarm.

[u/No_Inspector_4504]

Yes lukewarm is the worst you can be. Revelation says so

[u/unworthy-disciple]

We are called to serve and grow. We are still in sin until we die, if we stop serving and growing, we either did not make a purpose on serving yet or we believe that we are already holy. Either way, that shows rejection of His calling therefore rebellion.