The Spiritually Lazy Saint

July 10th, 2013 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . —Hebrews 10:24-25


We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.

The true test of our spirituality occurs when we come up against injustice, degradation, ingratitude, and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritually lazy. While being tested, we want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of finding a quiet retreat. We use God only for the sake of getting peace and joy. We seek only our enjoyment of Jesus Christ, not a true realization of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things we are seeking are simply effects, and yet we try to make them causes.

“Yes, I think it is right,” Peter said, “. . . to stir you up by reminding you . . .” (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be hit squarely in the stomach by someone being used of God to stir us up— someone who is full of spiritual activity. Simple active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work can actually be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The real danger in spiritual laziness is that we do not want to be stirred up— all we want to hear about is a spiritual retirement from the world. Yet Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement— He says, “Go and tell My brethren . . .” (Matthew 28:10).

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July 10, 2013

Lord, please help me realize that my faith is not just about me that it is about reaching out to others. You tell me it is not about proselytizing, or passing out platitudes, the four spiritual laws, and or the plan of salvation. Help me to realize, understand and actually live the gospel by giving myself away.

And God says…”It is easy to hand out tracts, recite John 3:16 to someone or even hold a placard at a ballgame; but is not investing yourself.  Give and it shall be given to you. Demonstrate your connection by getting connected to Me and then being connected to others, right at the point of their need. You will be refreshed, rejuvenated and experience growth and connection all the while giving yourself away.”

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