Complacency is defined as “self-satisfaction, accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.” A person who is complacent would like to keep things the way they are indefinitely. The problem with such an attitude is life does change, whether we want it to or not. Such feelings can keep us from improving ourselves or responding positively to problems that arise. The result can be troublesome, even devastating, for those who are complacent.
Of course, we realize God and His Word will never change. Peter reminds us, “Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:23-25 ESV). We must never change or depart from the pattern God provides through the Bible.
Though God and His Word are constant, we can become complacent about His Word to us and our response to His Word. When Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19), His words apply to all of us, not just to the apostles or to foreign missionaries. When we sit in a comfortable building to worship and become familiar with those who attend with us, it’s easy to become complacent, to just keep things the way they are. In two different congregations where I served, I had individuals tell me they didn’t really want any more members to be added to the body, as they liked the group we had at that point in time. They had become unaware of the dangers such an attitude creates for our souls. We forget about the souls of so many others who are lost.
The work God has given us to accomplish as His church is nothing less than the salvation of souls. The task is not finished because we personally have obeyed the Gospel. We are the means God uses to take the message of salvation to others. Whether by teaching, bringing, praying, encouraging, training, letting our lights shine or whatever else, there is something every one of us can do to help others find and grow in salvation in Jesus Christ.
When people become complacent, congregations will cease to exist. By becoming indifferent to the Great Commission, others will not know the Gospel, will not respond and will not be added by the Lord to His church. Under such conditions, when our life is over, who will be left to continue His work? We will be judged accordingly (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
Complacency only condemns; getting involved offers growth, maturity and hope for eternity. In your life, by your attitude and service, what lies ahead for the Lord’s church and your congregation? Let’s be active in serving the Lord and find the blessings of growth He has to offer us. “And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest’” (Luke 10:2).
