Urgency & Complacency

This world right now is the perfect example of complete opposites. Wars are threatening, violence is encouraged, and the signs of Jesus’ near return are everywhere. But, most continue to purposefully ignore the urgency of the hour and deliberately determine to “eat, drink and be merry,” as if these calamities will never touch them. Satan has convinced them they are invincible, but the Bible calls this being “willfully ignorant,” and “foolish.” 

As Jesus hung on the cross, the air permeated with the stench of blood and death, the Perfect Creator dying a sinner’s death… what a somber, ominous scene! But at the foot of the cross the soldiers played games and cast lots. How could they laugh as Jesus gasped for breath? How could they have been so disconnected? So untouched? So cold? This same careless attitude towards one’s own spiritual accountability is frighteningly prevalent in our day. 

Philippians 4:5 says that “The Lord is at hand,” and Jesus warned us that we “Must be watchful! For you do not know when your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). This next command is urgent…  “AWAKE oh sleeper! It is time to awake from sleep!” (Ephesians 5:14). 

We must heed God’s call to urgency and apply ourselves to living an active, fruitful Christian life. Time is so short. Complacency is games at the foot of the cross. May God help us to “Number our days and redeem the time,” for His glory.

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)