Awake!

Complacency is inevitable when things are going well.

We set ourselves goals and objectives – and often these are short term.

Having achieved a result, we then want to bask in the satisfaction of accomplishment for a while, rather than set new agendas and press on towards a new mark.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philipians 3:13-14 (KJV).

We must recognise this trap. We are all guilty of it and why not? We feel that we have accomplished something and deserve the rewards.

However, scripture calls us to be watchmen.

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:5 (KJV).

We have a great responsibility as individuals, and collectively in our church, to carry out continually the ongoing demands of our Saviour.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15 (KJV).

What are our long term plans? As Christians we are required to do everything “…decently and in order…”, and in the same way that we have practical and life plans we need to have spiritual plans.

Should we be satisfied with a Sunday Morning service and a business or prayer meeting and say this is good enough? Where is our vision for the future?

“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s.” – 1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV).

Notice the Apostle Paul addresses the calling of Christians. We are called and we need to have a plan for our calling. We each have a vocation.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3 (KJV).

It is easy for us to have plans for others, for the church for family and for friends, but perhaps not so easy for ourselves.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2 (KJV).

Are we really committed on an individual basis? Can we echo Isaiah Isaiah 6:8? 

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (KJV).

The Bible tells us we have no guarantee of tomorrow, so we need to be busy in the work to which we are called.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” – 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV).

As stewards of the word of God, we are entrusted with responsibilities to be about the Master’s business. We must have a spiritual agenda.

What are we striving for? The scripture tells us that our conversation, or lifestyle, must be more than part time Christianity.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.” – Philipians 1:27-28 (KJV).