A man and woman, very much in love, were married. Both cared for each other's needs, both sought forgiveness when they wronged one another, both were thoughtful and both sought only the best for the other. Slowly, very slowly, things began to change. Since each one knew that they were loved they started to take each other for granted. They grew a little lazy, a little sloppy, a little complacent about their relationship. They didn't always say "I love you", they didn't always apologize for small wrongs, they didn't always remember to be thoughtful. He thought, "She knows how much I love her." She thought, "He knows how much I care." Until one day they woke up and realized that they didn't anymore.
That is what complacency can do to a human relationship. What does complacency actually mean? It means a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. It means you are so self-satisfied that you see no need to try harder.
Complacent About God
What does being complacent do to our relationship with God? The church at Laodicea in Revelation chapter 3 is an example of a complacent church. The people weren't bored with God, but then they weren't excited either. The people felt like they had it all. They were financially comfortable and in their world, money bought happiness, or so they thought. God tells them though that things are not the way they perceive them to be. He tells them they are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked". God's solution is for them to be zealous and repent because if they don't, the ones that He loves, He "rebukes and chastens".
Are We Zealous?
To be zealous is to show great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective. Are we enthusiastic in our pursuit of a better relationship with God? Do we show great energy in pursuing a holier life, a fruit filled life for Jesus? Are we desperate for Jesus? How many people do you know that you could actually name that act like this? Without repentance we can't properly seek a holier life. Without repentance there can be no true zeal.
In the story at the beginning of this post the young couple was an example of zealousness for each other. They wanted a good relationship, one that would last, and so they worked energetically toward that goal. As time passed though they became self-satisfied. They had a good marriage and it would always be that way, or so they thought. They forgot how much effort they put into each other in the beginning. Like the church at Laodicea they felt that they "had need of nothing."
In Deuteronomy 8: 11-14 it says,
"Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."
and then in verses 17 and 18 we read that people may say to themselves that it was their own power and strength that produced this wealth. They are reminded that it is God who gives us the ability to produce wealth. The chapter continues to say that to forget God, to bow before other gods (sometimes we try to make ourselves god), has a price. Like nations in the past, if you continue in your disobedience and complacency, you will be destroyed.
Focused On Self
Complacency has a lot to do with self-satisfaction. Notice that self seems to come up a lot. We live in a society today totally focused on self. What makes me happy is the only important thing. That people notice my accomplishments. That people applaud me and my talents, my money, and my abilities.
Zephaniah 1: 12 says this about complacency,
"At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.’" (NIV)
Is this us today? Have we so forgotten the Lord that we believe He will "do nothing"? In verse 17 we find out what happens to those who were complacent. Zephaniah tells us that Gd will bring a terrible distress on people. He says their blood will be poured out.
The Complacency Of Fools
Proverbs 1:32 (NIV) says very concisely, "the complacency of fools will destroy them". Complacency leads to destruction. In Luke 12: 13-21 Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool. He has it all and he wants more. He is all about partying and enjoying his riches. But then... God tells him he will die and what will happen to all of his stuff? What does it profit him to have riches for himself but none of the riches of God? As Matthew 6: 19-21 points out, the treasures of Heaven are not destroyed by moth or rust and can't be stolen by thieves.
We Need Zeal
What we need is the fervor, the energy and excitement, the zeal of a young person in love. They don't care what other people think. They will get down on one knee in front of a crowd and vow their everlasting love. Would we make a vow like that to our King in front of a crowd? Do we seek our Lord with all that is within us? Is our one desire to serve Him faithfully?
The spiritually poor, blind and naked church at Laodicea; money had become their God. They were so self-reliant they forgot the One who gave them life everlasting. They had become foolish. Only God provides our real needs. Jesus says they are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold and He will vomit them out. But to those believers who repent and are zealous He promises they will share in His kingdom.
Today, as then, Christ calls us to repentance. He calls to a zealousness for things of His Father. He calls us to show the world what a life devoted to Christ really means.
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