Weekly Devotional 1-26-15 A Christian Cannot be Complacent
It has always been so, but it seems today (in our time) battle lines are being drawn, drawn between Christianity and the world. More and more, liberties of Christians are being curtailed and often times restricted (outlawed) altogether. Muslims can pray publicly, publicly mention the name of Allah or his prophet Mohammed without reprisal, but mention the name of Jesus Christ and the world is up in arms. In such a world a Christian should not and cannot be complacent.
Jesus said of we who are Christians, “13You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV).
Salt creates thirst and is a preservative. Light illuminates the path of a traveler exposing what is beneficial and what is detrimental to him. So it is with the Christian who walks not in complacency, but in determination. Our lives should create a spiritual thirst and our message should give light unto a fallen world.
The world would not be as it is if we Christians were fervent in our walk. Would not our time (our day) be characterized by spiritual revival if we walked as Paul and Silas in the first century of the church? They turned the world upside down (see Acts 17:1-9). It wasn’t just them. Most, if not all of those who came to saving faith in that century stood firm in their faith. Many were persecuted in one way or another. Some suffered death rather than disavow their love for God and His Servant, Jesus, His only begotten Son.
A complacent life is well described by Jesus’ message to the Church of Laodicea found in the book of Revelation. Considering that message we read, “14And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ‘15I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth’. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:14-22 NKJV).
I ask you then, as I ask myself, why should we be complacent, given that the world could be changed if we lived as did those of the first century? Why should we be complacent given that being complacent we are in danger of being abhorrent to Jesus, our Savior and in that being over-comers of such complacency we are given the right to sit with Him on His throne?
Oh that you, oh that I, might be an over-comer of such complacency!
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power, The Work of God on Behalf of Man
www.gbchurch.us