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Complacency

One of the greatest difficulties in serving God in this country is the tendency toward complacency. In America, we are blessed with laws which protect us from persecution, and we are individually blessed with a wealth which exceeds almost any country in history. Even today, much of the world would be amazed at what we possess (homes, cars, computers, etc.). These two factors, wealth and protection from persecution, have combined to produce a lack of urgency in our service to God. Never mind that we, like the Israelites, had little to do with either factor. Most of us were born in this country (with its freedoms already in place) and born into our socio-economic station. But rather than give thanks to God for these blessings, we often grow lackadaisical, considering that this will continue forever.

That was the problem facing Israel as they prepared to take possession of the land God had promised (Deuteronomy 6:10-12). It was their good fortune (a blessing from God) to be born of the seed of Abraham and to be given the land of Canaan by God. Moses warned them not to forget God, and it would serve us well to heed this warning.

Remedy For Complacency

One important idea in remembering God is continuing to remember what He has done for us. He sent His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8), and He blessed us with the knowledge we need to live with Him (2 Peter 1:3). There are also the many blessings, both spiritual and physical, for which we owe a great debt to God (James 1:17). These thoughts should serve to remind us that it is God who has so richly given us salvation and an abundant life here as well.

A careful assessment of our own spiritual blessings in Christ, coupled with an unvarnished look at the world around us should lead us to the conclusion that there are still too many without the hope that we have. That should spur us on to try to reach others with the gifts of the gospel. Paul understood that, even in chains, he was far more rich than a king who had not received Christ (Acts 26:27-29). It should be our desire to see all we come in contact with respond to the gospel, and this kind of attitude will prevent us from becoming complacent. How can we rest when so many are lost? A heart willing to teach others will find it hard to forget God.

A final effort at avoiding complacency is in recognizing that our race is not yet run. Again, it is Paul who sets the example, explaining that even he continued to reach for and press toward the goal of a life in heaven with Christ (Philippians 3:13-14). This striving for righteousness will keep us focused on the gifts that God has already provided, as well as have us reaching for the goal we have not yet attained.

Conclusion

We know that the Israelites did become complacent and they forgot God (Psalm 78:10-11; Psalm 106:13,21; Jeremiah 2:32). They began to disregard the blessings of the land of Canaan and serve other gods (Judges 10:13; 2 Kings 22:17; 1 Samuel 8:8; Jeremiah 16:11-12; Jeremiah 22:8-9). If we do the same, the lessons of the Israelite betrayal of God will have been lost. We cannot allow our rich blessings to become a buffer which separates us from striving to truly know God.