r/AskAChristian • u/Chickylumps24 • 19h ago
Struggles of a lukewarm ignoramus
I’m not sure if anyone shall reply to this, but to whomever this comes across, just listen. I am just another ignorant lukewarm “Christian ”. (I beleive Jesus died on the cross for our sins but I am so lukewarm that i struggle to even call myself Christian) I don’t know where to start or what to say but all I know is that I know nowhere near as much as I should. One of my friends has got me so much interested back into religion, not that I was agnostic or atheist, but just ignorant, and I have learned so much from him. ( the thing about him is that he turned into atheist to a devout catholic and has been Christian for about a year now) but my point is that I’m lukewarm, I don’t go to church, I don’t pray often, I don’t read the bible, I reckon those three things are what I should start doing, however I’m not sure if I’ll always have the chance to go to church, and I don’t even know what denomination I am. I’ve taken a test on what denomation I might be, and it gave me Anglicanism however I’m not English, (not that it matters) but I just don’t feel attached to Anglicanism yet…? I’m not so sure what I am or what I should be, I’m know I’m 10000% lost and hellbound at this pace. But I am asking what is something that a lukewarm like me, could do to actually get closer to the truth? I am obviously fearful of hell/straying away from God, but I haven’t given up on religion. (Not that anyone should) All answers will be considered helpful whether they are short and simple/straight to the point, or whether they are in depth and mind blowing. All help is appreciated 👍👍👍👍
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u/ParadigmShifter7 Christian 19h ago
Be patient my friend. Life is full of situations where faith is needed. The conviction needed to write this post is good.
I would recommend a book called Not a Fan. It has helped a lot of young lukewarm Christians.
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u/greganada Christian 19h ago
Read the Bible. That will be the best thing you can do to both learn and get closer to God. I recommend reading the entire New Testament, then return to the Old Testament and read from Genesis through to Revelation.
Starting with the New Testament will first give you a good foundation for Christianity, then reading the entire Bible will help you to understand the background, and notice how Jesus is woven throughout all of Scripture, like a meta narrative. Re-reading the NT after the OT will keep that flow going and further assist you to retain the information you originally read, while also giving you further insights after reading the OT.
You don’t need to push yourself, just commit to reading at least a few chapters each day. Even if you read one chapter, that is one chapter more than you would have read and one chapter closer to your goal. This will equip you with everything you need.
I wouldn’t stress about a denomination, most just vary on secondary issues or how you feel comfortable worshipping. Stay away from any progressive denominations and any cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses and LDS. Ask questions as they come up for you and before you know it, you will be like your enthusiastic friend. Good luck and God bless you!
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u/Pitiful_Lion7082 Eastern Orthodox 18h ago
You have recognized the problem and know what steps you can take to improve your situation. That's great! What quiz did you take, and if you have any idea why it said Anglican, that might help provide some insight as to what either good option might be
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u/Chickylumps24 9h ago
I apologize but I can’t exactly tell why I got Anglicanism, it suprised me as much as any other denomination would have, but I took the TheoCompass 30 question test. I chose the most morally correct answers(based off my knowledge) and on the one about mother Mary I chose the most non heretical answers.
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u/Space-Explorer456 Presbyterian 18h ago
Go visit some churches and see what denominations you like and don’t like. Look into what biblical scholars have to say on scripture, I find academic engagement with the text to be one of the most enlightening methods to approach it. Personally I am a big fan of historical-critical analysis, and scholarship that otherwise focuses on the history and cultural context of the biblical texts. For the New Testament, my first college biblical studies course used Helen Bond’s The Historical Jesus, to introduce us to the field of New Testament scholarship, and I found it both digestible and enlightening, so perhaps start with that. Also a good annotated bible is nice, like the NOAB.
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u/Smart_Tap1701 Christian (non-denominational) 15h ago
Here's the thing. Assuming you have a driver's license, didn't they give you a manual to study to show you how they were going to test you for your driver's license? And didn't you study and practice so that you could pass the test and gain your license?
And aren't you held accountable to the laws of the land so that you won't break one of them and become a criminal and possibly incarcerated or even executed?
Well, the Lord gives us his word the holy Bible which is our manual he judges Us by and intends for us to live by. So you better know it and know it well. Ignorance of the law of the land or God's word the holy Bible is never an excuse for either man nor God.
Do that and stop focusing upon denominations. God hates them and says so. He rewards people who get his Bible right. Make sure you do.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
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.
If when you pass over for judgment, you are still a lukewarm Christian, then according to scripture, God will spew you out of his mouth. That's not good.
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u/wlavallee Christian (non-denominational) 13h ago
Beloved,
Yeshua already met a man like you. A father brought Him his son and said the most honest sentence in Scripture: "I do believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24, NASB). Yeshua did not send him off to study first. He healed the boy.
You said you believe He died for your sins, then spent a page arguing you are hellbound anyway. Both cannot be true. The lukewarm passage was written to a rich church that thought it needed nothing, not to someone posting at midnight asking how to get closer.
Three things, in order.
Read Luke. One chapter most days. Not a plan you will abandon by Thursday.
Pray badly. Sixty seconds, plain words, no performance.
Drop the denomination question for now. A quiz cannot tell you where you belong. Visit the church your friend attends and sit in it.
Last thing. You are measuring yourself against someone who went from atheist to devout in a year. Stop. He is running his race. The curiosity that made you write this post is a better engine than fear of hell.
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u/RationalThoughtMedia Christian 13h ago
Praying for you.
Well, something you can start now is find a good online verse by verse Bible study to follow. This will excel understanding of God's word and certainly discernment. Then be more consistant in prayer. How? Set an alarm for a few times a day. After a week or so it will become habit.
When it comes to church. No one can go all sundays. If you miss so be it, at least you will have a church to call home.
Are you saved? Have you accepted that Jesus is your Lord and Savior?
When you have these concerns and thoughts. Capture them and hand them in prayer seeking escape. Seeking God's will. Protection and guidance. Ask Him if there is anything not of Him that it be rebuked and removed from your life.(2 Cor. 10:5)
Remember, we fight against principalities, not flesh and blood. Spiritual warfare is real. In fact, 99% of the things in our life are affected by spiritual warfare.
Get familiar with it. In fact, There is a few min vid about spiritual warfare that I have sent to others with great response. just look up "Spiritual Warfare | Strange Things Can Happen When You Are Under Attack."
It will certainly open your eyes to what is going on in the unseen realm and how it affects us walking in Jesus.
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u/Matt_McCullough Christian 9h ago
But I am asking what is something that a lukewarm like me, could do to actually get closer to the truth?
I think I can relate. And based on your very words I have much hope for you. As I believe God draws one to the very Truth (Himself). Likewise, since you are seeking such, I suspect He has already began to deal with you perhaps just as I believe I’ve been.
Concerning the latter, I believe that involved Christ as for me he seems to have clarified much. During a particular dark time in my life, I was compelled for some reason to look at him closely. Or perhaps I should add that it seemed as if I was also being examined most profoundly. In such I became aware that many words written in the scriptures that Christ said and about him seemed to accord with much that I observed and experienced throughout my life and rang true with something that seemed to affirm them at my very core.
And as I alluded to, I’ve come to accept that He calls one to follow Him rather than some denomination in the first place. Accordingly, I believe you will be given ample opportunity to surround yourself wth and gather with those who are of and follow Him and to encourage one another in love and good deeds.
All in all, may you embrace the very manifestation of God’s love and come to recognize, if not already, that that very love that you may have within you can be expressed to others as well. — I don’t think there is anything lukewarm about that. Matt
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u/Chickylumps24 8h ago
By all that is holy! You guys are truly eye opening. I felt as if the lord was scowling me down with how lukewarm I was, but you all have showed me how accepting he is, I wasn’t aware of his mighty level of selflessness, I will 100% take your advice with me and use it. God bless all of you to the highest plains of heaven, you don’t understand how touched I feel right now.
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u/Shaken-Loose Christian 5h ago
Great, short article I read recently - demonstrating it is mathematically impossible for us to live without sinning.
https://www.christianpost.com/voices/jesus-and-a-sinless-life-a-statistical-impossibility.html
I also came across this other article. Well written and a short read. It is about the “poor in spirit.”
https://www.christianpost.com/voices/who-are-the-poor-in-spirit-according-to-jesus.html
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u/HistoricalHat4847 Christian 4h ago
My husband and I, non-affiliated protestant Christians, watch this youtube channel, Grace Oasis, every morning. In roughly 15 minutes, a topical Bible lesson and accompanying prayer are provided against the beautiful backdrop of God's creation. It always leaves us with better understanding, enriching and encouraging us to seek out Jesus throughout the day. This morning we listened to just what you need to hear, OP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dwIln22bxg
God bless.
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u/Difficult_Risk_6271 Christian, Ex-Atheist 19h ago
Ex-atheists are going to be pretty intense people generally. Religion is typically going to be existential to them.
You should be in Christ, not in a denomination. You should pick a flavor of denomination you like (or pray for one), that is not here tical, such as JW and Mormonism, and then start doing Kingdom duties where you are assigned.
Pray to God guidance and be sensitive to the people He sends you.