ROMANS 11:33-36 – Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
THEME OF THE DAY: SINS EASILY TOLERATED. Three of the most common sins among Christians, and easily the most tolerated, are discontent, procrastination, and complaining. Let’s look at them and break down the message each one sends to our God. I warn us, they are not pretty. Now we wouldn’t consider saying these words to the Lord, but our attitudes and response are as good as words sent heavenward.
First, the sin of discontent is to hold the attitude of dissatisfaction with God’s will in our lives; where we live, what we have, who we are with, and basically, a rebellion against God’s perfect, sovereign will in our lives. We simply are not content with God’s guidance and provision in life. Serious sin for sure. It is the very sin that made the devil, the devil – rebellion against God. And remember, contentment is something we are to learn – Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content (Philippians 4:11).
Then, the sin of procrastination. What we are guilty of in the tolerance of this sin is presuming upon God and His grace. We put off what we know the Lord commands of us to a not promised tomorrow. In my pastoral ministry, I have listened to Christians who say, “When I get through this season of life, then I will be able to serve the Lord.” Friends, the only season of life we have to serve is now. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised. We are warned by James of this easily tolerated sin – Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin (James 4:13-17).
The final sin easily tolerated by God’s people and perhaps at the top of the list is complaining; complaining about anything or anyone from the weather to a long check-out line to a disengaged spouse to politics . . . the list goes on and on of what we complain about. How serious is this sin? Huge. Like discontent, this is rebellion against God but it adds another layer. It is also resistance to God’s work in our lives. And when resistance is present, growth is not. The Apostle Paul implies this sin and the resistance it produces – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing (Philippians 2:12-14).
Easily tolerated sins. Let’s fight against them before they creep into our hearts and lives. They are powerful and left unchecked, draw us away from first love for the Lord Jesus.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I complain about the suffering You direct in my life for my good and Your glory.”
QUOTE: “When tempted to complain about any form of suffering, stop and think of the Lord Jesus and His sufferings.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim