Yesterday, we talked about how important it is for us to be leery of complacency as a church. With 95% of evangelical churches in America doing nothing to grow, this is of primary importance to us. One question that arose is the difference between complacency and contentment.
Are the two different and if so what is that difference?
Complacency is a smugness that creates a false satisfaction in our lives, our businesses, or our churches. It is both a thought that everything is okay and feeling in our core that we are justified to think as we do.
Contentment on the other hand is an internal peace that arise from doing what I know to be right. From that standpoint, contentment and complacency are two different things. Complacency is an assumption that I do not need to change or press forward. Paul understood both concepts well:
On complacency, he refused to be satisfied with he status quo. In Romans 13:11 and Ephesians 5:14, Paul says "Wake Up." In Ephesians 6, he says "be alert", In Philippians 3, we are told to "press on." The writer of Hebrews carries Paul's thoughts further in Hebrews 6, encouraging people to grow to maturity. Complacency is the enemy of personal and kingdom growth. We should always be vigilant to fight against it.
On contentment, Paul writes:
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB77)
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Echoed again in:
Philippians 4:11 (NASB)
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Paul refused to let circumstances control his actions for the sake of the work of God, He was content knowing he was pressing on towards a greater prize. So he was content and non-complacent. This is the goal of the life of the believer.
The sad reality for many is that they live discontent and complacent. That is the great tragedy of lives lived without spiritual discipline or purpose. May it be said of each of us that we strive forward in the peace of the presence of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment