Introduction

Many Christians assume that believing in Jesus is enough.
But scripture is very clear and direct to the contrary:

• • Belief alone does not get you into the kingdom of heaven.
  • Belief without surrender does not transform.
  • Belief without obedience does not produce life.

Jesus Himself warns us:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21

A person who believes in Jesus, but has not declared Him Lord over their entire life is called a lukewarm Christian.

The difference between a Lukewarm Christian and a submitted disciple is not minor; It is dramatic in this life, and it has eternal consequences.

This blog is intended to help folks realize they may not be where they really think they are relative to Jesus and heaven..

God has given you a choice —  and your life, your destiny, the lives of your descendants, and all of your eternities depend on it.

Why It Is Not Enough to Just Believe

Many claim to believe, Few understand what it means to truly believe.
Belief means to act as if it were actually true…. 

• • Our fall from grace by the introduction of sin in the garden,
  • Our sinful nature, making us naturally self centered and rebellious against God.
  • The severe nature of our fallen nature and the impact i has on our life and the lifeof others
  • Our earning a sentence of eternity in hell for falling short of God’s perfect standard.
  • God choosing to come here in the flesh as a son Jesus to suffer and die in our place.
  • Our option to serve our sentence in hell ourselves or yield our earthly live to Jesus and spend eternity with Him. 
  • It is an easy trade but you have to actually make the trade to get the benefit 

True belief produces obedience, surrender, repentance, and transformation.
Anything else is mental argument, not a saving faith.

Let’s walk through the biblical declarations to be clear.

A. Old Testament Foundation: Deuteronomy 30

God makes His expectations very clear and explicit:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life…” – Deut. 30:19 

But how does one choose life?
The next verse tells us:

“That you may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice,
and that you may cling to Him…” –  Deut. 30:20

Three requirements:

• • • Love Him
    • Obey Him
    • Cling to Him

Why?  the end of that verse:  “…For He is your life and the length of your days.” –  Deut. 30:20 

This is the pattern of God’s covenant relationship:

Hearing → Obeying → Clinging → Life

In trade for our submission in faith, God makes a promise to help us and provide for us and protect us and work all things for good, but it only works if we do our part.

Belief without hearing, obedience, or clinging is not executing your part of the deal – and you can expect consequences.

B. New Testament Agreement: Faith That Saves Always Transforms

True belief recognizes:

• • • The seriousness of sin
    • The certainty of condemnation without a savior
    • The price Jesus paid on the cross
    • The necessity of surrender to receive the benefit

Paul says:

“The love of Christ compels us…
that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them.”  — 2 Cor. 5:14–15

If your belief does not compel you to stop living for yourself,
you have not achieved a saving faith.

James warns:

“Even the demons believe—and tremble!” — James 2:19

Demons believe in Jesus. They know who He is.
They acknowledge His authority. But they do not submit or obey.

A lukewarm Christian is dangerously close to the same condition.

C. You Only Enter Heaven If Jesus Knows You

Jesus does not say:

“You will enter heaven because you believed I existed.”

He says:

“Depart from Me; I never knew you.” — Matthew 7:23 

Knowing Jesus is not intellectual familiarity, It is not inviting him into my heart.
It is relationship based on complete surrender and a commitment to obedience.

Jesus says:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  – John 10:27

Three marks of a disciple:

• • • Hear His voice
    • Are known by Him
    • Follow Him

A lukewarm believer may acknowledge Jesus –  but does not follow Him.

D. Jesus Calls Us to Die To Sin Before We Truly Live

Identity in Christ begins with death of the old you:

“If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself,
take up his cross,
and follow Me.”  –  Matthew 16:24 

And continues through transformation:

“Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” –  Matthew 16:25 

You cannot be “in Christ” while clinging to the old life.

You are covered by His blood only when you are united with His death.

This is biblical salvation—not American Christianity.

There Are Three Identity Paths: Which One Are You Living From?

There are three spiritual identity states:

A. Unbeliever (Rejecting)

• • Dead in sin
  • Blind to spiritual truth
  • Self-led
  • Without covenant protection

B. Lukewarm Christian (Convenient, Unsurrendered)

• • Believes but does not obey
  • Acknowledges Jesus but lives self-led
  • Selective obedience
  • Little transformation
  • Spiritually stagnant
  • Dangerously self-deceived

C. Disciple of Jesus (Submitted, Following)

• • Has denied self
  • Carries their cross
  • Walks in obedience
  • Lives by faith, not feelings
  • Experiences transformation
  • Knows Jesus and is known by Him

Only one of these is promised eternal life.
Not because of effort— but because knowing Jesus is eternal life (John 17:3).

Am I Lukewarm or a Disciple?

This is where honesty matters.
Let Scripture and the Spirit reveal your heart.

Guiding Questions

• • Do I obey Jesus only when it fits my preferences?
  • Do I fear God and understand what is at stake?
  • Am I pursuing comfort or obedience?
  • Has following Jesus cost me anything?
  • Do I cling to my old life instead of losing it for Christ?
  • Do I see real transformation in my thoughts, emotions, and choices?
  • If Jesus returned today, would He know me?

These questions cut through self-deception.

What’s at Stake? (The Eternal Reality)

The stakes are eternal and unavoidable.

Jesus warns the lukewarm:

“Because you are lukewarm…
I will vomit you out of My mouth.” –  Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)

This is not rejection. This is invitation.

“Be zealous and repent.” –  Revelation 3:19 

You must choose:

• • Comfort or calling.
  • Convenience or obedience.
  • Self-rule or surrender.
  • Belief about Jesus or discipleship under Jesus.

Anything less than surrender is being lukewarm.

How to Move From Lukewarm to Disciple

Here is the biblical path:

A. Repent of Self-Lordship

Confess where comfort, fear, pride, or convenience are ruling your decisions.

B. Surrender Your Life to Jesus

Salvation is not addition or loss.
It is exchange:  Your earthly life for Life Through Him .. now and for eternity.

C. Deny Yourself Daily

True discipleship requires daily choices, not a momentary prayer.

D. Take Up Your Cross

Embrace obedience even when inconvenient, costly, or difficult.

E. Follow Jesus

Read His words.
Hear His voice.
Obey His commands.
Walk in His steps.

F. Cling to Him (Deut. 30:20)

Trust in Him,
Have Faith,
Your life depends on it.

Identity Declaration for Discipleship

Lord Jesus, I renounce lukewarm belief.
I surrender my life fully to You.
I deny myself, take up my cross, and choose to follow You.
I cling to You as my life and my salvation.
Transform me into Your disciple.
Let my identity be rooted in Your truth,
my heart shaped by Your love,
and my steps led by Your Spirit.
I am Yours.
I will follow wherever You lead. Amen.

Final Thoughts

Lukewarm Christianity is the greatest spiritual deception of our time.
It produces the illusion of salvation without transformation.
The appearance of faith without obedience.
The vocabulary of Christianity without the life of Christ.

But God is inviting you into something far greater:

• • A transformed life.
  • A real relationship.
  • A surrendered heart.
  • A disciple’s identity.
  • An eternal purpose.

Jesus does not call you to be lukewarm.
He calls you to follow Him.
And when you do—your life, your relationships, your destiny, and your eternity will never be the same.