Note: This is a post I copied with permission from a fellow Christian.
Becky René
Introduction:
There are many who have obeyed the gospel sincerely and who continue to attend the services of the church with regularity. They are present when the saints assemble, they listen to the preaching, and they take their place among the brethren. To outward appearances, such individuals are often regarded as faithful. They are not openly rebellious, nor are they engaged in any obvious sin that would immediately alarm others. Yet, beneath this appearance of faithfulness, there may exist a serious and dangerous spiritual condition.
The Christian life is not something that begins and then remains unchanged. It is not a static condition, but a living and developing relationship with God. It is begun in obedience, lived out through continual growth and faithfulness, and completed only through endurance to the end. Where there is no growth, no development, and no increasing devotion, something is wrong. A life that does not grow is a life that is in danger.
It is this condition—quiet, often unnoticed, yet deeply serious—that we must examine. For there are those who have begun the Christian life, but who have not continued in it as they ought. They have settled at a certain level and have become content to remain there. This article is written to expose that condition, to examine its causes, and to call such individuals to awaken before it is too late.
The Nature Of The Christian Life: Begun, Lived Out, And Completed
The Christian life has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It is begun in obedience to the gospel, as Jesus declared, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). This beginning is essential and foundational. Without it, there is no entrance into Christ, no forgiveness of sins, and no relationship with God. It must never be diminished or treated lightly.
However, the beginning is not the whole of the Christian life. After one has obeyed the gospel, there is a life to be lived. Paul instructs believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). This does not mean that salvation is earned by human effort, but that it must be lived out in daily faithfulness, reverence, and obedience. It involves growth, development, and the continual shaping of one’s life according to the will of God.
Finally, the Christian life must be completed. Jesus said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). It is not enough to begin well; one must finish well. Endurance is required. Faithfulness must be maintained. The crown is promised not to those who start, but to those who remain faithful to the end.
When these three elements are understood—beginning, continuation, and completion—it becomes clear that a Christian life that does not progress is not in a healthy condition. It has begun, but it is not being lived out as it should, and it is in danger of not being completed.
What A Healthy Christian Life Looks Like
A healthy Christian life is not difficult to recognise, because it is active, engaged, and growing. It manifests itself both in the assembly of the saints and in daily life outside of it.
In the assembly, such a Christian is not merely present but involved. Worship is offered with sincerity and understanding. Singing is heartfelt, prayer is earnest, and attention is given to the teaching of the word. In Bible classes, there is engagement—questions are asked, comments are made, and there is a genuine desire to learn and grow. There is also interaction with brethren, encouragement given and received, and a concern for the well-being of others.
Outside the assembly, the Christian life continues. There is personal evangelism, as opportunities are taken to share the gospel with family, friends, and others encountered in daily life. Invitations are extended, conversations are initiated, and there is a readiness to speak of Christ. There are also good works—acts of kindness, generosity, and practical help. Whether it is assisting a neighbour, caring for the elderly, or simply being considerate and helpful, the Christian seeks to do good.
At the heart of all this is personal growth and devotion. There is private study of the Scriptures, not just reading, but thoughtful consideration and meditation. There is prayer—regular, sincere, and meaningful. There is a desire to grow in knowledge, to understand more fully, and to apply the word more faithfully.
This is what the Christian life is meant to be: active, growing, and engaged. It is not perfect, but it is progressing. The Problem Of Settled And Complacent Christians
In contrast to this, there are those who have settled into a pattern of minimal involvement. They attend the services, but that is largely the extent of their engagement. They listen, but do not participate. They are present, but not active. There is little evidence of growth, little desire for deeper understanding, and little involvement in the work of the church or in the lives of others.
Such individuals have reached a level at which they are comfortable. They have established a routine, and they are content to remain within it. There is no pressing desire to move beyond it, no sense of urgency, and no recognition that something is lacking.
This condition is particularly dangerous because it does not appear alarming. There is no open sin, no obvious rebellion. Everything seems calm and acceptable. Yet beneath the surface, there is stagnation—a lack of development that is inconsistent with the nature of the Christian life.
Their True Spiritual Condition
Those in this condition are not necessarily lost in the sense of open disobedience, but neither are they spiritually healthy. They are stagnant, underdeveloped, and vulnerable.
A Christian who is not growing is not standing still. In spiritual matters, there is no true neutrality. A lack of growth leads to weakness, and weakness leads to vulnerability. Such a person becomes more susceptible to temptation, more easily influenced by error, and less able to withstand spiritual challenges.
They are also not what they ought to be. Time has passed, opportunities have been given, and yet there has been little progress. They remain where they were, or only slightly beyond it. This is not the picture of spiritual maturity presented in Scripture.
Perhaps most concerning is the false sense of security that often accompanies this condition. Because they attend and because they have obeyed the gospel, they believe themselves to be safe. They do not recognise the danger of neglect, nor do they see the need for change. This misplaced confidence prevents them from taking the steps necessary to grow.
Why They Feel Secure
There are several reasons why individuals in this condition feel secure.
First, they have redefined faithfulness. In their minds, attendance has become the primary measure of devotion. As long as they are present at the services, they believe they are fulfilling their responsibility.
Second, they have no sense of urgency. They do not perceive any immediate danger, and therefore they feel no need to change. Everything appears to be in order, and so they remain as they are.
Third, they have settled into a comfort zone. Growth requires effort, change, and sometimes discomfort. Remaining at a fixed level is easier, and so they choose to stay there.
Fourth, they lack personal engagement with the word. They hear sermons and attend classes, but they do not study for themselves. The word does not penetrate deeply, and therefore it does not produce change.
Finally, they compare themselves with others. As long as they are not worse than those around them, they feel justified. Instead of measuring themselves by what they ought to be, they measure themselves by what others are.
The Effect On Others
Make no mistake, this condition does not go unnoticed, nor does it affect only the individual.
Those who are growing, studying, and actively engaged in the work of the church are fully aware of it. They see the lack of growth, the lack of participation, and the absence of spiritual concern. Though they may not speak of it openly, they recognise it clearly.
And it is discouraging.
Efforts have been made to reach such individuals. Through sermons, Bible classes, personal conversations, and written material, brethren have sought to teach, encourage, and stir them to greater faithfulness. When these efforts are met with indifference, it weighs heavily on those who care. It discourages those who are striving to do what is right.
Furthermore, this condition affects others who are weak. There are those who are already struggling, already lacking in growth, and already in a precarious spiritual position. Instead of being lifted up by a good example, they are confirmed in their weakness. They see that such a level of involvement is accepted, and they are encouraged to remain where they are.
Thus, instead of strengthening the body, such individuals contribute to its weakness.
A Call To Wake Up
This condition must not be ignored. It must not be excused. It must be recognised for what it is—a dangerous spiritual state that requires immediate attention.
The Christian life is not meant to be lived at a standstill. It is meant to grow, to develop, and to be completed in faithfulness. To remain at a fixed level is to fall short of what God requires.
Each individual must examine himself honestly. Am I growing? Am I engaged? Am I striving to become what I ought to be? Or have I settled into a routine that requires little and produces little?
These are not comfortable questions, but they are necessary ones.
Conclusion: Do Not Just Begin—Continue
The Christian life is begun in obedience to the gospel, lived out as each believer works out his own salvation, and completed only by faithful endurance to the end. To begin is essential, but it is not enough. One must continue, and one must finish.
Let no one be content with having started well. Let each one strive to continue faithfully, to grow continually, and to endure steadfastly until the end.
Applications:
Examine your life honestly and without excuses. Ask yourself whether you are truly growing or merely maintaining a routine.
Establish a regular habit of personal Bible study and prayer. Do not rely solely on what you hear in sermons and classes.
Become actively involved in the life and work of the church. Look for opportunities to serve, encourage, and contribute.
Take responsibility for others. Reach out to those who are absent, weak, or struggling, and seek to strengthen them.
Set specific goals for spiritual growth. Do not leave your development to chance; pursue it deliberately.
Questions:
Am I actively growing in my knowledge and understanding of God’s word, or have I remained at the same level?
Do I participate in the life of the church, or am I merely present?
How often do I engage in personal Bible study and prayer outside of the assembly?
In what ways am I influencing other brethren—am I encouraging them or discouraging them?
If my current level of faithfulness continued unchanged, where would it lead me spiritually?