This isn’t rocket science it’s actually pretty easy.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23
So we see that in a believer’s life. They are full of love and forgiveness. They’re full of joy and they don’t have a sourpuss. They are at peace with God and man. There are patient and kind and people tell them so. You can see the goodness in them. Their faithfulness is evident. They’re not harsh, but they’re gentle. They have self control in everything.
Let’s contrast that with lukewarm (carnal) Christians:
- They use coarse language and profanity. Oh they don’t even feel bad if one accidentally slips out.
- They are not reading the Bible daily nor do they plan to. Just like it takes hours a day to stay in a relationship with a person, it takes hours per day to stay in a relationship with God.
- They never listen to Christian music; they only listen to secular music.
- They are addicted to things: sex, drugs, booze, gaming, smoking or pornography. Yes gaming is an addiction. Show me an employed person who games for 4 or more hours a day and I’ll show you a person who isn’t reading the Bible at all. If the Bible was being written today I’m pretty sure gaming addiction would be in it as a sin. It doesn’t glorify God and robs god of time.
- They’re living with someone they’re not married to.
- They are pro choice. It’s not your DNA so not your choice.
- They have an obsession that takes over their home decor. They’re devoted to that obsession and not obsessed about God. For example, they are all about a hobby and items from that hobby decorate the living room and others too! They have plenty of time to spend with the hobby, but no time for God.
- They celebrate the pumpkin holiday. This may offend some people but a real believer is not going to celebrate this one.
- They are argumentative because they have no peace.
- All of their friends are non-Christians and they never try to share the gospel with them.
Then there are the obvious signs:
- Liquor cabinet is well stocked
- Religious statues of any religion other than Christianity like a Buddha or Hindu art.
- Dreamcatchers, lotus flowers, Buddha’s are used as home decor.
- Drug paraphernalia or a smell of them
The bottom line is: if you don’t have a changed heart, you don’t know Jesus. You have a knowledge OF God. That’s not a saving knowledge.
Paul talks about this in Titus chapter one verse one. He says the elect have a knowledge of truth that leads to godliness. Down in verse sixteen he contrasts it to people who claim to know God but by their actions they deny Him. Paul says they are good for nothing! Strong words.
There you have it. Paul’s conclusion is a lukewarm Christian someone who claims to be a Christian, but doesn’t know God. That’s a hard message to deliver in a world where a false gospel has permeated society. The easy grace gospel says just asked Jesus into your heart and you’ll be saved. That’s not biblical it’s not what Paul preached it’s not what Jesus preached.
Is Jesus dominating your life or are you living for you? Can people see that you’ve changed? That is the proof in the pudding. A changed godly life is the sign of transformation.
Following Jesus 