Today, Sunday March 20, 2011, is the ninth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal.  In Isaiah we have a prophecy against ancient Israel which reveals God’s view of complacency.

⁹ Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. ¹⁰ In little more than a year you will shudder, you complacent women; for the grape harvest fails, the fruit harvest will not come. ¹¹ Tremble, you women who are at ease, shudder, you complacent ones; strip, and make yourselves bare, and tie sackcloth around your waist. Isaiah 32:9–11 (ESV)

Isaiah is pronouncing judgment on the nation of Israel (and in this text particularly the women of Israel) for turning from God and becoming complacent because they have great wealth. Complacency is condemned precisely because these women have accepted security from things instead of trusting their security to God. Each of us who are residents of the materialistic culture that is America need to heed this warning against complacency and replace it with zeal, not a zeal for things but zeal for God.

This picture of being at ease and complacent is also an accurate description of the great part of the church in America today. Rather than being zealous for God and the things of God we are guilty of having become complacent. Therefore, I individually and my church corporately need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal!

Zeal means to exhibit “great energy or enthusiasm for a cause or objective.”  One way to determine whether or not you have become complacent is to think about what excites you. Do you become excited and enthusiastic for sports, entertainment, making money, making love or laying on the couch while watching TV. When I am more enthusiastic about these things than I am the things of God I have become complacent. A sign that you may have become complacent in your practice of Christianity is when prayer, Bible study, worship, service, and evangelism are viewed by you as chores which must be done rather than opportunities to bring glory to your Lord.  Each one of us must be vigilant in replacing complacency with zeal.

According to the apostle Paul in the book of Romans zeal is a product of leadership. While motivating God’s people to do God’s work is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit according to this passage, one of the means which God the Holy Spirit accomplishes this work is through the spiritual gift of leadership. This means that if you hold any position in the leadership of the church you particularly must guard against, or “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal. If those who lead are not excited then how can anyone expect those who follow to be enthusiastic.

⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:8–11 (ESV)

Paul goes on to pronounce a principle which applies to all Christians whether or not they are gifted with the gift of leadership. We are not to be slothful or lazy as regards to zeal.  In other words when it comes to serving God I should be enthusiastic and excited and never guilty of being lazy. When we consider the purpose for our service this becomes considerably easier.

¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)

I serve and minister to others because of the hope of my own salvation which has been placed in me by the Savior of the world. This hope within me is there particularly because I believe in Him.  Such a task and such a Savior not only deserve my very best, but He never deserves me to become complacent or lack a proper enthusiasm.  Therefore, I need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal!