Content or Complacent
Sunday’s Monday
Content or Complacent
Pat and I had a very rewarding week this week in God’s service, but it was the weekend that was special. God allowed us the honor and privilege to attend a Brother Night Leadership Cookout (with our wives) that was hosted by brother Steve White and his family. Thank you, guy and gals, for loving us. God was in the house with wisdom, fun and great food. Pat and I had a great time! Then Sunday Pat and I along with Joe and Linda Dillard attended New Day Christian Church in Morganton, NC to hear guest speaker Dr. Emmanuel Fiagbedzi from Africa. We certainly enjoy the hospitality and kindness of the church and the message was spot on for today's believer.
This is a thought worth pondering since the bible speaks volumes on both contentment and complacency. Without getting into the dictionary mode, I’ll just state that the difference in definitions are that of night and day. For example, Paul explains contentment in Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT), 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. He has learned through Jesus lead life experiences that contentment is trusting totally in God to instruct and provide. Whereas John wrote on complacency in Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT), 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! A difference of night and day!
In this world we live in today; we are surrounded by people who are content or complacent and the sad part is most of them don’t understand the difference. I know people that seem to be proving their anti-complacency through social media and always standing for this or that. On the other hand, I know people who think they are content just because everything is wonderful in the world. Truth is they are both fooling themselves and “in my opinion” both are wrong (but that is my opinion) and I will attempt to show you why I feel this way. In Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT), 23 This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! This covers both situations in that we’re not to boast of either! For the most part we are not content when everything is perfect, we become more vulnerable to the sin of complacency.
When Paul speaks to the act of being content, he takes it from the lowest lifestyle to the very highest. He was content inside a dark, wet, and cold prison, giving thanks to God and praising Jesus. He was committed to following Jesus and had complete trust and faith in God’s love for him. He understood that God’s will would be done, and the end results would be in his favor. Whereas today complacency isn’t being taught, it’s being preached from the pulpit but not studied in classes and groups. I know people right now that believe they are content with their life at this point but the truth of their actions along with their words, suggest they have merely turned complacent. Truth is they simply don’t care, church isn’t as important as it used to be, daily reading and prayer doesn’t matter that much anymore, and the world isn’t what it used to be. But they are content with where God has them in their little world or so that’s what they believe. There are thousands of scenarios where people can misinterpret complacency for contentment, and I can’t start to cover them all. Paul warns us in 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT), For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. Something I’ve learned over the years, the enemy of my soul is very patient, methodical and persuasive. He moves in such small increments over great periods of time, so we don’t see or know what is going on.
The bible clearly tells us in James 1:12 (NLT), God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Today would be a great day for all of us to examine our heart and lives to see exactly where we stand on the issues of contentment verses complacency. Now this doesn’t mean to examine yourself with earthly eyes that can only determine the amount of dust gathered on the flesh. Romans 12:2 (NLT), Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. This will help to uncover any stained or broken issues within you today, to which God can repair on you’ve laid them on His alter of faith. I take this to be my purpose in today's world; 1 Timothy 1:5 (NLT), The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
I pray that you, 7 Don’t be misled you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:7-10 (NLT). Aman
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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