This has been a very warm summer. I know, because the air conditioning does not work in either of our cars. Often there has been no escape from the heat and humidity. Sometimes, it has been so hot that my study air conditioner has been unable to relieve the heat. We have been hot, sticky and uncomfortable much of the time. I had forgotten my earlier years when air conditioning was rare for those of us who lived in the country. Back then I not only learned to cope with the heat, I often did not notice it. I guess I have become soft and pampered in the air conditioned comfort of today's world.
I fear that the prosperity and general security of our society has made many of us into "comfort zone" Christians. We will attend church if we do not have other plans. We will give to the Lord's work if we have anything left over. We will give out the gospel, if someone comes to ask how to be saved. We will be faithful to the Lord, as long as He makes life easy for us.
Surveys and polls of professing Bible believing Christians reveal an increasing materialism and self-gratification mentality. A full thirty percent agrees that nothing in life is more important than having fun and being happy. A whole new marketing area has opened in "Christian" merchandise, such as Bible action figures and T-shirts with a picture of the crucifixion and a slogan saying, "This Blood's for you."
To be appealing, many ministries have stooped to entertainment rather than exposition of the Word of God. Instead of plain and powerful Biblical preaching, psychology is the focus in many pulpits and media ministries. Support groups have replaced evangelism teams, and "Does it work?" has become more important than "Is it right?"
How we need to get back to an insatiable desire for God's glory! Paul wrote, to the Romans that we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." He continued:
... we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5)
To the believer who desires God's glory above all, inconvenience, discomfort, pain, and even suffering do not come as unexplainable surprises. God is the ultimate authority in the believer's life. We can see pain, trouble, heartache and even ruin as expressions of God's love as He seeks to develop character in us. From his prison cell Paul declared, "so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." (Philippians 1:20).
God's
purpose for me is not that I might be happy, secure, or prosperous in
this life. Rather, He has purposed
that I might be conformed to the image of Christ. God's glory, not my
comfort is to be the theme of my life. It is time
to come out of the "comfort zone" and offer God full use of my life for
His glory.