By the time this article comes out, we should be into our new year, 2025. So, I want to wish a Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and continues to have a blessed New Year. That being said…. last issue, we looked into the problem of lukewarmness that plagues some sincere believers. Jesus, in speaking to the Laodicean church rebuked them for being neither hot nor cold but said He would prefer for them to be one or the other (Revelations 3:14-18). The definition of lukewarmness is something that is moderately warm or tepid, lacking passion or enthusiasm. Lukewarmness can also be described as being indifferent.
As Christians, if we are honest, many of us have struggled with indifference at one point or another. We can be indifferent in our prayer lives, toward our church attendance and our study of Scripture. The passion and fervor that we may have possessed when we were first born-again seems to have died down and what we are stuck with is a ritualistic form that seems to bring no joy in our lives but seems to be more of a burden that is void of God’s presence. The fire of our salvation experience and our love of Jesus has been reduced to just a “flickering ember”. Reading the Bible is like reading a newspaper and going to church becomes more of a “habit” of religion rather than the fulfillment of being part of a vibrant, life-giving Christian community. In essence, it may appear that you have lost your first love which would be your passion for Jesus Christ. The reasons behind this could be many. Life can sometimes trip us up with unexpected challenges that can often throw us off. We sometimes struggle in our relationships in marriage, the pressure of raising children, or difficulties at work. Sometimes, we may be affected by the failure of leadership that was in our circle of influence, whether in the church or in the marketplace. Offenses can also come in many ways and many flavors that may affect our relationship with God; things that may cause us to back off from Him, from church or from investing in Bible study. So, what are solutions that can help us get back on the right track to restoring our fervor for the Lord?
As I mentioned last issue, I know what the challenge of indifference is because I have struggled with this in the past and still have to guard my heart not to slip back into it. But I have learned some things over the years and hope these pointers will help you.
First, never believe that God quits or gives up on you, but you do need to go to Him and be honest with where your heart has been. That it has drifted away from Him. Remember the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). While we may not have been in a place of extreme departure as was the prodigal described by Jesus in this parable, many may be prodigals in their heart, being busy about church business and doing ministry, but hearts that have drifted away from Him all the while still going to church every week. But remember, God loves you deeply and like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, He will run to meet you once you change your way. Being honest with God goes a long way. Also, if you are holding onto any hurts, offenses or disappointments, bring them to Him, talk to Him about them and then leave them with Him. Let him work on your heart and heal those hurts.
Secondly, seek help. Go to someone who you know and trust who cares about you and have them pray with you for a spiritual breakthrough. Many of us belong to prayer groups or a small group ministry within the church. Go to someone (or some group) you can be honest with and have a heart-to-heart conversation of where your heart really is. Not someone who will harshly judge you, but who will pray and help nurture you back to inner spiritual health and, yes, someone who will gently “challenge” you without condemnation. Also, this might be a good environment if you are struggling with a secret sin in your life that has become “habitual”. Habitual, willful sin will hinder your relationship with the Lord if not repented of. Scripture tells us to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other (James 5:16)
Third, learn to fight spiritually. 1 Timothy 6:12 encourages us to “fight the good fight of faith”. It would be nice if our Christian lifestyle would be without any crises or hardships. But as we know, that’s a “fairy tale”. Our faith is fraught with challenges not only from our enemy, who is always looking for ways to trip us up (1 Peter 5:8) and a world system that does not always value people of faith at all (Romans 12:2; 1 John 5:19), but also just the common everyday trials of life can wear you out and steal your joy. It’s in these times that we have to learn how to fight the good fight of faith especially when it comes to preserving our relationship with the Lord. We’re not talking about a physical battle, but a spiritual one that can be won on your knees. Sometimes we just have to learn how to “press into” God and not give up, even when we don’t feel like it. Many times, if you just stick with it, God will be faithful to meet you. Scripture reveals that God is more than willing to meet you. Luke 18:1 (NIV) says “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. “One thing that you can be assured of with your Heavenly Father and that is He is not a God who goes into hiding. He wants you to seek Him out. Jeremiah 29:13 ( NIV) says “ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Fighting the good fight of faith will also mean that we will have to guard what comes into our hearts and minds as Proverbs 4:23 states: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We should not allow anything into our hearts and minds that we know will distract us from our relationship with the Lord and cause us to draw away from Him.
Fourth, ask for His help and grace. God is more than willing to help you if you ask. We have this great promise in the Scripture: Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Notice, how we can confidently approach His Throne to obtain both mercy and grace and that being in a time of need. That’s the God that we serve! So my encouragement to any who are struggling with indifference and have been in a place of lukewarmness, don’t settle there! Repent and return to your first love, who is your Lord who loves you and is more eager to restore your heart to Himself than you can imagine! God Bless!
