Resisting Laziness

As America sinks deeper into godlessness, more and more of God’s people want to go their own way. Such people do not want to be clothed by Christ in garments of righteousness; they only want to live to themselves, with no obligations or commitments. By their attitudes, they are telling the Lord, “Let me enjoy my association with you just so others will see me as good.”

Churches in America and around the world are filled with millions of people calling themselves Christians who have no intimacy with Jesus. They spend no time in prayer and do not pick up their Bibles to see what he desires of them.

Somehow, these people have attached themselves to Christ’s name wholly on their own. Our Lord will have no part of such an arrangement. Christ clearly warns in Mark: “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning — lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:35-37).

We read the parable of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish (see Matthew 25:1-13). “While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept” (Matthew 25:5). All the virgins, both foolish and wise, were asleep. How could these wise virgins be slumbering? How could any godly servant, those who have prepared for Jesus’ return for so long, be asleep as the Lord approaches?

Let’s look at a warning by Paul: “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Paul also warns, “‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14-16).

If you feel that you have grown lazy in your pursuit of Jesus, determine to seek after him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Begin to pray throughout the day and make Christ the center of your thought life.