Timeless Truths ................................................................Pages

Complacency

Will it Kill You?

In the book of Revelation, Jesus condemns the Church of Sardis for its complacency, for its comfort with pagan culture and its deadness despite outward appearances. The churches referenced in chapter 3 represent the churches of all ages. Revelation 3:1 says, "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.'"

The church is like a lamp stand, meaning that it sheds light. Its mission is to share the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, because Jesus is the Light of the world. The Holy Spirit bestows upon the Church various powers and operations in order for the Church body to carry out the work of the Lord. These various powers are referred to as the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars are the ministers of the Church, who are accountable to their Lord Jesus Christ. His ministers are given the message and the gifts for the good and edification of the Church and for influencing the culture by preaching the gospel.

As we look at the city of Sardis, we discover that it was strategically situated and it traded actively with the surrounding region, being known for their colorful woollen goods and for their jewelry. Sardis' economy was thriving. The city was also a city of softness and luxury, apathy and immorality, worshipping the forces of nature. Experiencing great wealth and success in their culture and in their city, the church toyed with sin. Jesus does not say one encouraging word about this Church. The Church doesn't appear to be plagued by false teachings; everything appears to be normal on the surface, but this kind of situation is deadly to spiritual progression. When there is no spiritual growth, the people are spiritually asleep. Yes, they can still

go through the motions and do everything as a believer, but they're dying spiritually. Sadly, the Christian Church has been operating in this kind of atmosphere for too long. It depends less and less on the Lord. Someone looking on however, may think that the Church is alive. Jesus says in verse one that they have a name that they are alive. The church probably has a good reputation in the community, being active, contributing to society with many programs and activities, good music. However, when the culture dictates how the Church should run, it becomes ineffective.

We can grieve the Holy Spirit by falsehood, by corrupt talk, by anger, by an unforgiving spirit. The Holy Spirit can also be quenched by prayerlessness, by not rejoicing, by not being thankful and by not being discerning, to name a few. So, if the Holy Spirit is grieved or quenched in believers, they will find themselves becoming comfortable, complacent and languishing in ministry. When that happens, they cease growing spiritually. The desire for more knowledge of the Word of God decreases as well as a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Have you ever been apathetic or indifferent to spiritual things? complacent to the things of God, complacent to prayer, to hearing preaching, to the fellowship of believers? Jesus sees what is going on in the core of our hearts and He is concerned with our character and our driving motives. We must ask ourselves whether what we are doing or attempting to do meets with God's approval. Revelation 3:2 says, "Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in

Complacency

the sight of My God." If our deeds are not fulfilling God's purposes and are not measuring up to God's standards, then it's possible that we could have stopped hearing and receiving the Word of God. Spiritual apathy and indifference can begin to take root and act like a spiritual cancer eating away at the inside. We lose the ability to fight against pagan influences and worldly viewpoints and begin to accept the ways of the world, becoming confused about sexuality, marriage and abortion. Eventually, the church loses its fight, zeal and passion to win the world for Jesus.

Jesus challenges the church to - (1) Wake Up: (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8): "So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation." Live each and every moment before the watchful eye of God. Live every day knowing that God sees it all; we can't hide a thing from Him.

(2)Reinforce:

(Revelation 3:2): "... Strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die..." In other words, reinforce those who are faithful, those who are awake, and keep them awake.

(3) Know the Truth of the Word of God:

(Revelation 3:3): "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent..." Be fully convinced that the Bible is a sufficient revelation of truth; it is a reliable, sufficient standard to live by. Hold fast to it and don't let it go. Those who aren't convinced of this will continually look elsewhere for more revelation and new mystical experiences. (4) Repent: ( Revelation 3:3): "...Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at

what hour I will come to you." Live your life as if Christ is going to come at any moment! Stay ready; don't get complacent. Be ready to meet the Lord at any time; be forever watchful, and while you are waiting to meet Him, be laboring on His behalf until He returns. I know that God is True; I know that His Word is true. And I know that everything that He says will come to full completion. In verses 4-5, the Lord gives three promises: "...They will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the Book of Life and I will confess his name before My father and before His angels." We will be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Our sins are washed away and we're as pure as the driven snow. Our registry in the Lamb's Book of Life gives us entry into the Kingdom of God! It is our assurance that we belong to Him. We believers will stand in "And nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life."

(Revelation 21:27)

heaven with Christ and have Him announce our name!

If someone is complacent, they may not even know if they're a believer; they're just going through the motions and don't really have a heart for what they're doing. And if they don't ever repent of their complacency, they're probably not one. Believers are awake, aware and attuned to God. They hunger for righteousness. They want to deal with their sin and lift up the name of Christ and worship Him alone. How blessed it is to be saved and to know that your name's in that Book; that you're delivered from the wrath of God!

We all stumble and fall; we sin but we get up and repent. We want to serve our Lord. We need an oil change from the Holy Spirit to rekindle life into our very existence. Live your life before the eyes of God; have your ears opened to His Word. Examine your life; know where you are going today, because tomorrow is never promised.

WOOD Ministries