Jesus is Calling: The Greatest Sin

Are You Living Lukewarm? Why Passion for God Matters More Than You Think

What if the greatest danger to your faith isn't doubt or even disbelief—but indifference? What if the sin that grieves God's heart most is simply... not caring enough?

I want to ask you something honestly: When was the last time you felt truly passionate about your relationship with God? Not just going through the motions, not just believing the right things, but actually feeling your heart burn with love for Him?

If you're struggling to answer that question, you're not alone. According to recent Barna research, only 6% of American adults actually hold a biblical worldview—and that includes many who call themselves Christians. We've become a culture of casual believers, comfortable Christians who've made faith just another item on our to-do list.

But here's what Jesus says to the church in Laodicea—and to us: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I'm going to vomit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16, CSB).

Strong words, aren't they? Jesus would rather we be completely cold than lukewarm. Why? Because lukewarm faith is the most dangerous position of all. It's the sin of apathy—and it just might be the greatest sin.

The Greatest Commandment Demands Our Greatest Passion

When a scribe asked Jesus which commandment was the most important, Jesus didn't hesitate. He quoted the ancient Shema from Deuteronomy: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30, CSB).

Notice the words: all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength. Not some. Not most. All.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 goes even further, telling us to keep these words on our hearts, talk about them when we sit and walk, when we lie down and get up. Bind them on our hands. Write them on our doorframes. In other words—let your love for God permeate every single aspect of your life.

This isn't a suggestion. It's the first and greatest commandment. And lukewarm doesn't cut it.

Three Reasons Your Heart Should Burn with Passion

Let me share with you three powerful reasons why passionate faith isn't optional—it's the only reasonable response to who God is and what He's done.

1. You've Witnessed the Ultimate Expression of God's Love, Justice, Mercy, and Grace

Think about the cross for a moment. Really think about it. God Himself, wrapped in human flesh, enduring the most brutal death imaginable—not for His own sins, but for yours. For mine.

That's love. That's justice satisfied. That's mercy poured out. That's grace you could never earn.

When you truly grasp what happened at Calvary, indifference becomes impossible. The natural response to unconditional love is passionate devotion. How can we look at the cross and shrug our shoulders?

2. The Spirit of God Lives Inside You

You're not alone in this journey. If you've placed your faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit—the very presence of God—lives within you constantly. Not visiting occasionally. Not checking in when you pray. Living in you.

You carry the power that raised Christ from the dead. You have direct access to the wisdom of God. You're never abandoned, never forsaken, never without help.

When you realize you're a walking temple of the living God, how can you live like He's irrelevant?

3. You Share in the Victory and the Spoils

Here's the incredible promise: if you're faithful, you don't just escape judgment—you share in God's triumph. You're a co-heir with Christ. The inheritance of heaven belongs to you.

But here's what Jesus warns in Matthew 25:28-30—the one who does nothing with what they've been given, who lives lukewarm and unproductive, loses even what they have. The faithful servant who invested and grew what the master gave them? They received more and entered into the joy of their master.

Your passion matters. Your engagement matters. Not to earn salvation—that's already yours through faith—but to actually live the abundant life Jesus promises.

The Wake-Up Call We All Need

Jesus tells the Laodicean church something shocking: "You say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,' and you don't realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17, CSB).

Could that be us? Have we become so comfortable, so self-sufficient, that we don't even realize our spiritual poverty?

But then comes the beautiful part—verse 19: "As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent."

Jesus rebukes us because He loves us. He's knocking on the door of our hearts, calling us back to passionate faith. He's not writing us off. He's inviting us to something so much better than lukewarm existence.

Jesus is calling you today. Not to perfect performance, but to passionate love. Not to religious duty, but to wholehearted devotion.

The greatest sin isn't that you've messed up or struggled with doubt. It's that you've grown cold to the greatest love story ever told—that God pursued you, died for you, rose for you, and dwells within you.

You were made for more than lukewarm faith. You were created to love God with every fiber of your being, to let that love overflow into everything you do, and to experience the joy of walking closely with Him every single day.

The question is: Will you answer His call?

Your Plan of Action

Here's how you can move from lukewarm to passionate this week:

1. Get Honest with God Spend 15 minutes in prayer this week and simply tell God the truth about your spiritual temperature. Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm? Ask Him to reignite the fire in your heart.

2. Meditate on the Cross Set aside time to read and reflect on the crucifixion account in one of the Gospels. Don't rush through it. Let the reality of God's love sink deep into your soul.

3. Practice the Deuteronomy 6 Principle Choose one way to integrate God into your daily routine this week. Talk about Him with your family at dinner. Listen to worship music during your commute. Put a Scripture on your bathroom mirror. Make Him part of your everyday moments.

4. Identify One Cold Area Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one area of your life where you've pushed God to the sidelines. Your finances? Your relationships? Your ambitions? Invite Him back into that space.

5. Share Your Faith Tell someone this week what God means to you. Nothing fancy—just share your story. Passion grows when we express it.

6. Commit to Community Lukewarm faith thrives in isolation. Surround yourself with others who are passionate about Jesus. Join a small group. Serve in your church. Let iron sharpen iron.

Jesus isn't asking for perfection. He's asking for your whole heart. And when you give it to Him, you'll discover that passionate faith isn't a burden—it's the greatest joy you'll ever know.

The greatest commandment requires your greatest passion. Will you answer the call?

Blessings,

Donna