Mediocrity v24n33

Mediocrity!

Part 2

V24 n33

In the last issue of the newsletter, we talked a bit about the attitudes of the people of Laodicea and Colossae, and how both of these towns in close proximity to each other, had developed a casual or lackadaisical attitude or approach to God and His Word. However, people often times assume or presume that these Biblical accounts were only for the people to whom they were addressed, and therefore they are not applicable to them or their lifestyles. This is a common error which many Christians make.

One must not forget that the Word clearly tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever: that He is the Lord God, and that He does not change. Therefore, this Message is still applicable to us today. What it all comes down to, is how well does one hear His voice, so that they are thus able to hear His Message, and then conform their lifestyle to this Message?

Deuteronomy 28:15, But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: KJV

Having viewed the bright side of the cloud, which is towards the obedient, we have now presented to us the dark side, which is towards the disobedient. If we do not keep God's commandments, we not only come short of the blessing promised, but we lay ourselves under the curse, which is as comprehensive of all misery as the blessing is of all happiness. Observe,

I. The equity of this curse. It is not a curse causeless, nor for some light cause; God seeks not occasion against us, nor is he apt to quarrel with us. That which is here mentioned as bringing the curse is,

1. Despising God, refusing to hearken to his voice (v. 15), which bespeaks the highest contempt imaginable, as if what he said were not worth the heeding, or we were not under any obligation to him.

2. Disobeying him, not doing his commandments, or not observing to do them. None fall under his curse but those that rebel against his command. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)

Faith is, one’s ability to hear, and then to comprehend that which they have heard from God’s Message, and then to bring their lifestyle into full compliance with this Word they have heard and comprehended. Failure in any part of this amounts to open rebellion against God and His Word. Yet, how often does a person make excuses for their own laziness? Wasn’t this the fault and fate of those five foolish virgins as the Lord mentioned in Matthew chapter twenty-five?

What most people fail to realize, is that a mediocre attitude towards the Word, is rebellion against God. All too often people try to make light of the Word, and that which it asks of them. People are very reluctant to get fanatical or carried away with God and His Word, yet, are quick to scream and jump up and down over some sports team, singer or movie star. Why don’t they get as excited about God and His Word, can you tell me? How attentively are you hearing God’s Word, and doing all that He asks of you, with enthusiasm?

If you have diligently listened to that which God is asking of you, have you put forth a maximum effort to be obedient and pleasing to Him? Are you putting forth your best effort to do all that He is asking of you? Anything less then a total effort, is giving a mediocre effort, and do you think God will accept that?

All too often people look at the examples of other people that are around them, rather then going to the Bible and observing and imitating or following the example of those whose lives were in compliance with His Word, and made their best effort to always be pleasing to Him. (However, this will take discipline in and on your part, as well as developing good study habits to accomplish this).

What excuses do you use for not “hearkening diligently” to the voice of God? (One must remember though, that the world’s best excuse, is still just that, an excuse!)

Joshua 1:8, This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. KJV

One is to meditate in the Word at all times. As Paul tells us that we are to pray without ceasing! However, for a person to get to this place in their walk, and this place in their life, they will have to train themselves in God’s ways. They will have to learn to keep their flesh or carnal man in subjection to the Spirit of Christ within them.

Hebrews 3:12, Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. KJV

Weymouth's New Testament

Hebrews 3:12 see to it, brethren, that there is never in any one of you - as perhaps there may be - a sinful and unbelieving heart, manifesting itself in revolt from the ever-living God.

[Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you] Take warning by those disobedient Israelites; they were brought out of the house of bondage, and had the fullest promise of a land of prosperity and rest. By their disobedience they came short of it, and fell in the wilderness. Ye have been brought from the bondage of sin, and have a most gracious promise of an everlasting inheritance among the saints in light; through unbelief and disobedience they lost their rest, through the same ye may lose yours. An evil heart of unbelief will lead away from the living God. What was possible in their case, is possible in yours. The apostle shows here five degrees of apostasy:

1. Consenting to sin, being deceived by its solicitations.

2. Hardness of heart, through giving way to sin.

3. Unbelief in consequence of this hardness which leads them to call even the truth of the Gospel in question.

4. This unbelief causing them to speak evil of the Gospel, and the provision God has made for the salvation of their souls.

5. Apostasy itself, or falling off from the living God; and thus extinguishing all the light that was in them, and finally grieving the Spirit of God, so that he takes his flight, and leaves them to a seared conscience and reprobate mind. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

In view of the conduct of the rebellious Jews, and of their fearful doom, be on your guard lest you also be found to have had the same feelings of rebellion and unbelief. See to it, that under the new dispensation, and in the enjoyment of the privileges of the gospel, you be not found to manifest such feelings as shall exclude you from the heavenly world. The "principle" has been settled by their unbelief that they who oppose God will be excluded from his rest. That may be shown under all dispensations, and in all circumstances, and there is not less danger of it under the gospel than there was when the fathers were conducted to the promised land. You are traveling through a wilderness-- the barren wilderness of this world. You are exposed to trials and temptations. You meet with many a deadly and mighty foe. You have hearts prone to apostasy and sin. You are seeking a land of promise; a land of rest. You are surrounded by the wonders of Almighty power, and by the proofs of infinite beneficence. Disobedience and rebellion in you will as certainly exclude you from heaven as their rebellion did them from the promised land; and as their great sin was unbelief, be on your guard lest you manifest the same.

An evil, unbelieving heart. The word "unbelief" is used to qualify the word "heart," by a Hebraism-- a mode of speech that is common in the New Testament. An unbelieving heart was the cause of "their" apostasy, and what worked their ruin will produce ours. The root of their evil was "a want of confidence in God"-- and this is what is meant here by a heart of unbelief. The great difficulty on earth everywhere is a "want of confidence in God"-- and this has produced all the ills that man has ever suffered. It led to the first apostasy; and it has led to every other apostasy-- and will continue to produce the same effects to the end of the world. The apostle says that this heart of unbelief is "evil." Men often feel that it is a matter of little consequence whether they have faith or not, provided their conduct is right; and hence, they do not see or admit the propriety of what is said about the consequences of unbelief in the Scriptures. (from Barnes' Notes)

Mark 4:24, And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. KJV

How well are you hearing and applying His Word to your life this day? Are you on fire for God, or do you have a mediocre or lukewarm attitude?

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka