How Do I Know if I am a Lukewarm Christian?

This is core Christianity, where answering your questions about the Christian life Monday through Friday. Your hosts are author and seminary professor Dr. Michael Horton and Pastor atrial Sanchez call right now with your question. At 1833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673 and now here's atrial Sanchez. What a joy it is to be together again here at corporate entity, opening up the script yours and were so glad you joined us in with Prof. Michael Horton, I'm Pastor atrial Sanchez I remember as a newer believer coming across passages of Scripture that honestly think shivers down my spine.

What was the warning in Hebrews chapter 6 that the author the Hebrews gave to a congregation that was on the verge of walking away from Jesus. Really strong words.

The other passage. It was really sobering for me is Jesus's words in Matthew 721 through 23 is one of those tax adjustments stops you in your tracks received a Facebook question from Seth about this passage, he asked in Matthew 721 to 23 were Jesus says to people I never knew you. Does this apply to lukewarm Christians. How you know if this passage applies to you or not you whenever we find these warnings in Scripture. Yeah, we immediately say is that me and the people who say that are the last people who should be worried the people who should be worried aren't and the people who shouldn't be our so here's what Jesus says in those verses. Not everyone who says to me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. But the one who does the will of my father who was in heaven on that day many will say to me Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name and then I will declare to them, I never knew you depart from me, you workers of lawlessness to real similarity here in what Jesus says in Matthew seven to what he says in Matthew 25 the separation of the sheep from the goats. Now again context is so important.

A lot of people follow Jesus during the course of his ministry for the wrong reasons they were looking for the signs rather than the reality.

Jesus himself in John six. For example, Jesus and the feeding of the 5000 knee goes across the lake and they all follow them because you know that was a nice lunch about enter Jesus says you ate and had your fill. That's why you're following me, you have full stomachs, but empty hearts and later in the book of acts. Simon the magician will try to even purchase from Peter the ability to heal so we have a lot of charlatans like this running around today and jetting around, notice what Jesus says these folks, it's not that they trusted in him for their salvation, but that they called him, Lord, Lord, what some meaningless mantra and claimed perform miracles made even did perform miracles and even cast out demons in his name. But Jesus says that they want believers in Christ but workers of lawlessness. They were charlatans. Again, I can't stress enough we have these people all around us today on TV filling stadiums, charlatans, people who claim to be healers and they say we do all this in the Lord's name Lord and we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name and do my many mighty works in your name but they are not following Scripture they are building their own empires in their own ministries around/and emptiness in the book of Revelation, Jesus says to the churches. Revelation 315 and 16. I know your works.

You're neither cold nor hot wood that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth the other. Jesus is talking about a church is not talking about individuals he saying that church is about to lose its status as a church because they need to return to Jesus. That's what it's all about. All of these passages are telling us that it doesn't matter if we call Jesus Lord war beast.

We use the Christian terms. It doesn't matter that we can just sign off on the Nicene Creed. It doesn't matter if we can you not believe in God. James says the demons believe, and tremble. We believe in God and his son Jesus Christ. We trust in him, not we believe that he exists that he died on the cross that he was raised, but we believe in him.

Our trust is in him and not in these faith healers and people who claim Jesus for all sorts of things that Jesus isn't doing in the world and preaching a false gospel yeah you know us at one of the things it was really helpful and Mike was getting at this as I wrestled over this passage in my own life was just the context is my Christina Who's Who is Jesus addressing here in this particular section of Matthew's gospel you he's really laying into the religious leaders. The hypocrites who were not willing to come to him by faith and so a couple of things. One, this is an a genuine believer who has lost their salvation.

When Jesus says I never knew you right. I don't know who you guys are we.

We never had a relationship. You never came to be, not gazing you're using me and so I think for those of us in you.

Rather, it you know if if you trusted in Jesus point you have to worry that this is you, and so thank you for that question. Hope that's encouraging for you and for many other people who, as they read that passage or made to be afraid and so call that we received about some 51 counter to run away again and chide me from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me and David went worried that he would lose his salvation and how we Christians should respond terrified, Katie.

Great question. You put your finger on why this is such a troubling Scripture for a lot of people is David afraid that he has lost or is going to lose his salvation.

I think when you know the whole story of David in his rise to the throne.

It helps to make sense of all this. Remember the king that preceded David. Saul, and Saul was called by God and endowed with the spirit to serve as the first king in Israel, but he sinned against the Lord and as a result, the spirit of God left Saul and it was something actually David witnessed firsthand. He knew all about souls steady regression at times. David was even the object of Saul's fury here a couple instances were resold tried to kill them is when David says take not your Holy Spirit from me.

He saying, Lord, don't let me end up like Saul don't take from me. The glorious calling. You've blessed me with restore me to serve you.

Don't dethrone me as King.

That's right.

And the sad thing is that Saul never had a moment like that.

There was no true repentance even though he had been called out.

He continued to rebel against the Lord again when we sin, we grieve God's spirit, but under the new covenant. You and I have this amazing promise that by faith in Jesus Christ we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians chapter 1 verse three says this in him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit is something new. This is new covenant is actually in Psalm 51 what David prays for, isn't it likely David says things he created me a clean heart you know what that you read Jeremiah and in the prophets when they talk about the new covenant that's with the new covenant was bringing to us is that brand-new heart that's in a right is law on our hearts. So this means that for God's children while the spirit can be grieved. God doesn't remove that precious seal that says you belong to him. Katie, I don't know if right now your concern that the Lord is left you like. I often hear from genuine sisters and brothers in the Lord who, because of some struggle with sin question if the Lord is still with them when he was 13.

Five Jesus said I will never leave you or forsake you.

We do sin and grieve the Holy Spirit.

At times, as God's children. But God doesn't let go of us. He doesn't like love you Katie and so II think one application we can draw from Psalm 51 is contrition.

We should have when we sin, contrition and and repentance.

Turning to the Lord. But the reality is, as we live under the new covenant and were sealed by the Holy Spirit. God has written his law upon our hearts that something David was looking forward to exactly I don't pray that part of David's confession I don't pray take not your Holy Spirit from me, because as you point out is such a big difference between the old covenant and the new covenant here.

We never read in the Old Testament that the Holy Spirit permanently and weld people that we read as the Holy Spirit came upon or rushed upon someone for a particular calling. As you mentioned, and this is kingship being anointed. This way you were anointed as King.

The oil represented the Holy Spirit, your Messiah, you were anointed, you know, don't take that role away from me. David is saying because the spirit could come and go upon people to equip them for their ministry. He had so grieve the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit could very well have departed, he committed capital offense. Yeah, he should strictly according to the. The law taken and put to death. He could have been put to death. This is such a big double crime that he's committed. But he saying please don't take your Holy Spirit who is empowering me for this kingship. I know you could take the throne away from me, you could take my life away for me for what I did but I pray that you wouldn't do that we don't have to pray for that because were not the king of Israel Holy Spirit doesn't come upon us and rush upon us to uphold us for a particular calling.

The Holy Spirit indwells us permanently and is the down payment on our final resurrection. Amen so important for us to understand some of those distinctions as you go through redemptive history to recognize when under the law were not under the old covenant anymore were under the new covenant. And there are particular blessings that come with that and so you want to follow up with a question, feel free to give us a call. You're listening to core Christianity.

The number is 1-833-843-2673. That's 1833 the core or send us an email at questions at core, Christianity.com and Mike a lot of people have been talking about this Bible study that we just came out with that want to make our special offer for today. Yeah it is amazing.

I hear from people all over the place constantly about this. How can we get our hands on this for a Bible study at church. Our men's group or women's group people are just really enjoying this and it's great. It's a beautifully presented study were very excited to share this brand-new Bible study with you the gospel of John is available on our website is a 10 week study. Great way to learn about the life and ministry of Jesus with a group of friends or by yourself or with your family when getting so much great feedback from folks are using that study. Right now it's available as a PDF download or you can request a physical hard copy. There is also a leaders guide available. So head on over to core Christianity.com/offers to get your copy of our new Bible study on the gospel of John and Katie say that the physical copy actually looks pretty cool. I yeah like the aesthetics of things you know that they've done a really good job.

Now this is that it actually make a good gift as well. You can also get your hands on the gospel of John Bible study by giving us a call at 833-843-2670 3833, the court and is Mike already said great resource to share with your pastor or small group leader go to the next question how I might, my name is Adam and I have a question regarding the Christian life can a Christian live with his girlfriend or sugar overload with his boyfriend, like the Bible� Bank so much.

Sure, Adam, thanks for the call so important, especially in our day. I have no authority to tell you one way or the other but listen to the apostle Paul in first Corinthians 618 to 20 flea from sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, you are not your own, for you were bought with a price.

So glorify God in your body. We could take a whole 45 minutes here to unpack that wonderful statement but you know the point Paul is making is God created us, not just souls but bodies were embodied souls know there are some people who say well I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I gave my heart to Jesus, but my body to my girlfriend now you know anyone who who flirts with the idea of living together instead of marrying is settling for a box of crackers when you can have a lifetime banquet know marriage isn't a state of uninterrupted bliss, but neither is living together. God made the man and the woman to leave their own families and to cleave to the other in a lifelong commitment called marriage that's how were made. So if were not fulfilling that work going against the grain of how were actually made living together is wanting the benefits of marriage without the responsibilities. It's a paradox. It's the responsibility and the difficulties the challenges in actually working out those responsibilities that foster the intimacy that fires our passion. So in short, no Christian can't choose fornication over marriage, the pleasures of the body without the commitment of one body to another bodies. They become one flesh. And furthermore, no Christian will want to impoverish another image bearer in doing that.

It's a shortcut that's actually a dead end versus the highway to blessing and maturity the body. As Paul says here is very important in the body. So glorify God in your body, not just your soul. He says you are not your own. You don't belong to yourself, you can't say why make my own choices in life know you are not your own.

You don't belong to yourself, your body belongs to the Lord.

So glorify God in your body. You might have heard this one before, and I think this is where we need exercise wisdom is working to live together but were not can be intimate were knocking asleep together night. I just think that right there is your you're really set yourself up under you think you're an terribly right now it just another thing to add. There is, is be smart having you that is seen is so deceptive and work were human beings that made made for things like intimacies but don't put yourself in a situation where you're gonna cause yourself to stumble or even custom-built to stumble like me making cookies to make the cookies but unluckily one yeah I wouldn't eat anything and make my life. You listen to core Christianity where we are answering the questions you have about the Christian faith.

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We can do without your prayers and support as it were asking you to come alongside of us and become a regular supporter with the monthly donation of $25 or more, you can join what we call the inner core be part of the team that makes core Christianity possible so that a record Christianity.com/inner core. To learn more or give us a call. As always, 1-833-843-2673 the number is 1833 the core and we look forward to hearing from you. But here's a Facebook question we got from Amy to spiritual maturity mean that I should no longer struggle with sin and not that I won't occasionally sin. What should I expect to no longer feel the temptation and really have to fight hard against sin all know I wish and me to the war never dies until we do nothing of Romans seven is a classic example. Paul takes himself his exhibit a the apostle himself says that which I want to do. I often find myself not doing that which I don't want to do.

I find myself doing again and again, O wretched man who will deliver me from this body of death. He catches sight of Christ again and he says all thanks be to God through Jesus Christ.

We will have an end to that war, but not until we are raised bodily and glorified. The more we grow in holiness, Amy. Actually, the more we see our sin. Mature believers are less satisfied with their own holiness and growth in Christ and therefore cling more tightly to Christ for their only hope. Christian maturity isn't not struggling with temptation is much as I used to. It's actually coming to see my need for Christ. More and more, so we do grow in our sanctification. But that's usually seen by others more than it seen by us.

The key word here. I think is struggle. Some Christians have huge challenges and have to fight really hard against a particular sin. For example, my friend Sam Albury. He talks about how he is celibate, and yet has same-sex attraction. There are people who have really major challenges that they face every day with temptation and their actually the mature Christians there, but they're the ones to look to and say hey the Lord is really powerfully at work in his life struggling with sin doesn't mean giving in all the time, but it also doesn't mean we never faced those temptations. I just can't help but think of it. The apostle Paul when he described his thorn in the flesh, and we don't know for certain what that was but is clearly someone is quotable, holy is the apostle Paul had this constant struggle and was forced to depend on and rely on the Lord you absolutely, absolutely. And so that's not a you a free pass to say okay all be passive. Don't need to feel bad about it don't need to try to do better, but the struggle means to show some measure of resistance. Some aspect of self-control in our actions, even though on the inside where we're at war. You never get to the place where you are not fighting some sin in your life. Christ has accomplished everything for us. We have a rock to stand on when were fighting the war within. That's the good news in the spirit of God lives in you. And as Paul said in Romans chapter 8. It's by the spirit that we put to death the deeds of the body, but as you say Mike you even if we grow in one area we feel like we were really having victory in in one area conquering one sin. It's like you know all of us and we begin to see all these these other things, the pride or arrogance. Whatever else it is that that the Lord brings to light and so it is a constant battle. It's that everyday fight yes like a beach ball in a pool and you push it down and then it pops out over here you know Eric Landry has written a great article on this. You won't be perfect in this life had to core crochet.com and just pull that down for free.

That's right. Let's go to the next question how lion, the Gospel of Mary for everyone had good question Lorna, we would certainly want to say yes to me. The gospel goes out and it's a sincere call to all people to repent of their sins and to turn to Jesus Christ.

I think of our Lord's own words in John 737 if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink, or even during the great commission when when he was setting out the disciples nice is going to all the world and make disciples preached the gospel exactly 1 of the things it's unique about the new covenant, the new covenant.

It highlights the fact that repentance. The good news isn't just for one people group is not just for Israel it's for the uttermost parts of the earth. It's for the whole world, but I think we would've also say that the gospel doesn't apply to people who don't think that they needed the self-righteous people like the Pharisees, you know, those who don't recognize that they have sin well. The gospel might be offered to them.

Proclaim to them, but if if you don't think you need. It will then it's not can apply in Jesus said very clearly in Luke 532. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Of course we know from Scripture that there is none righteous and the moment we realize were in that group. The moment a person is confronted with the weight of their own since there that they're able to taste the sweet fruit of the gospel. One other thing I might add Lauren.

I think this is something that we we really miss today in the church. The gospel isn't just for people outside of the church as believers in Jesus. No matter how mature we are in our faith. We never move past our need of the gospel message that think about what the apostle Paul says it in a place like first Thessalonians 213, for example, we also thank God constantly for this.

When you receive the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but is what it is in reality the word of God which is at work in you believers the gospel message is continually at work in Christians throughout their whole life and I think that something like that. We really need to recover today.

It's not just read how we get in is how we how we grow continually in the Christian life. Yeah. And not only a gospel for others the gospel for me. You know the gospel is proclaimed everyone, but it's also proclaimed to each one and Jesus said this is my body broken for you, not just for a bunch of people but for you, this is my my blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. It's a for you gospel, not just a abstract kind of out there. Yes, it is to be proclaimed.

Everyone but to each person personally.

Yeah, I have really helpful.

Let's take another call back at what heaven will be like. I don't know the first thing I think we have to get a good yeah know you know no eye has seen, nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love him. It's so amazing is God described it all to us. We wouldn't quite have the feelers for it. We know the most important things about heaven. The triune God will be there.

We will no longer need the gospel we will no longer rely on a promise we will no longer have baptism and the Lord's supper to visibly confirm and ratify that promise, we will have pastors we won't have teachers. We will behold the glory of God in the face of Christ. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer.

Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers in the menu for or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33 core when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together