Lazy believers

These two words should NOT be a description of the spiritual, should they?

Laziness shouldn't be what any true believer shows, but any of us could slip into this, if we're not careful.

The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. Proverbs 21:25

As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. Proverbs 26:14

Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. 2 Thessalonians 3:11

TRUE or FALSE?

Some believers don't want to study the Scriptures for themselves. True (unfortunately).

Instead, they want their spiritual food to come delivered in little snacks that are easy to digest, quick to eat, and don't challenge them to grow and turn from sins, if needed. True (unfortunately).

"You know, I just like to sit back, relax, and enjoy a meeting."

Some might have this attitude.

They prefer to be a spectator, not an active listener and doer.

They don't want a spiritual workout. 

Paul wrote, 

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God Who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

James wrote,

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

When believers come together shouldn't they be active doers of the word? 

What then shall we say, brothers?

When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.

All of these must be done to build up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Come prepared to give and receive.

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 1 Corinthians 14:31

In a broad sense, all believers prophesying 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 can mean to speak to others to build them up spiritually 1 Corinthians 14:12 for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3

Do you hope to have that opportunity when you gather with others of like precious faith? Matthew 18:20; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude v.3

STUDY and KNOW the BIBLE

Paul wrote that his son in the faith, Timothy, 1 Timothy 1:2 knew the Holy Scriptures even when he was a child, which were able to make him [and us] wise for salvation through faith that's in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 3:15

These Holy Scriptures, Paul wrote, are "God-breathed."

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

so that the man [person] of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Peter, James, and John Luke 9:28 saw Jesus transfigured before them Matthew 17:2; Luke 9:29 and heard the voice of God the Father saying, 

"This is My beloved Son [Jesus], in Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7-8; Luke 9:35 

when they were with Him on the holy mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18

What an experience. Many of us would love to have even a fraction of that.

But Peter wrote that believers then, and we now, have a more sure word of prophecy, as some translations have it, or as others have it, a completely reliable prophetic word: the BIBLE.

We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. 

And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation.

For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21

Laziness in believers can hinder us from reading, studying, and knowing the Bible for OURSELVES.

Let's NOT be lazy spiritually.

We don't want Jesus to say about us,

"You greatly error because you don't know the Scriptures nor the power of God." Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:24-27

GROWTH TAKES EFFORT

And it was He [Jesus] Who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

to equip the saints [Lord's people] for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God,

as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

It's almost unbelievable that this would be in the mind of the Lord for His people.

How could this be possible? 

What would our lifestyles need to be to bring this about?

Would we need to live in church meeting houses and worship NIGHT and DAY with fasting and prayer? Luke 2:36-37

Would we need to exhort one another EACH DAY? Hebrews 3:13

Would we need Bible studies with prayer and fasting EACH DAY? Matthew 6:5-18; Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; 17:11-12

Would we need the 5-fold Ephesians 4:7-8, 11 and 8-fold ministry gifts 1 Corinthians 12:28 to operate in EVERY MEETING?

Would we need to hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS? Matthew 5:6; John 7:37

Would we need to NOT love the world's system and the things that are in the world: 

the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? 1 John 2:15-16

Faith and love that grow 2 Thessalonians 1:3 don't just happen because we get older.

Spiritual growth is NOT automatic because we've been "in the faith" since we were young and now we're older.

Ask people spiritual questions and you'll find out quickly that most lack knowledge of the Scriptures.

They may be senior citizens who "grew up in the church" and attend services "religiously."

Unfortunately, they might still be spiritual babies as Paul wrote about the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Even though they were infants in terms of what kind of spiritual food Paul could serve them, they did NOT lack.

Paul wrote to them,

I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus.

For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge, because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7

They were given muscles in the Spirit and now it was up to them to EXERCISE those muscles to grow.

We, too, have been given the measure of faith. Romans 12:3

We can use the gifts we've been given. Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6

We can use them to build up others 1 Corinthians 14:12, 26 and ourselves as we pray in the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18; Jude vs.20-21

ENERGETIC and DILIGENT DISCIPLES

By definition, a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is a disciplined learner.

Learners must make the effort to learn.

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue [moral excellence]; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge,

self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

Paul wrote,

For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

Let's decide to NOT be lazy.

We can be ready for every good work Titus 3:1 and devote ourselves to good works. Titus 3:8, 14

Let's remember that it's the Father's grand love plan through the Lord Jesus Christ John 3:16-17 that we're saved by His grace [undeserved and unearned favor], NOT our good works. Titus 3:4-7

But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses.

It is by grace you have been saved! Ephesians 2:4-5

But we ARE His branches, field, building, and more. John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 3:9

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. Ephesians 2:8-10

If we're moving out of "Lazyland," Jesus can say of us,

"I know your works." Revelation 2:19

Our zeal, excitement, and disciplined growth, inspired by the Savior, Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:32, 50 

can encourage others. Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11, 14, 19

Your thoughts?

R. Jason