THE TRUTH IN PRINT
March  2005, Vol. 11: Issue 2
A Publication of the Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 539-7089

 

AGE OLD SAYINGS OF COMPLACENCY

 

By Bob W. Lovelace

 

   We often speak of "age old philosophies" in the context of their being man's flimsy excuses wherein he justifies himself in ungodliness. Paul asked some questions of the church at Rome. He said, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Rom. 6:1-2). It appears that there were some in the church at Rome who despised the riches of God's goodness, and his patience and longsuffering which was intended to lead to repentance and obedience (Cf. Rom. 2:4). Could this "saying" have been included in the flattering speech that deceived the simple in the church at Rome? (Cf. Rom. 16:17-18).
  
   Here is another question: "Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?" (Rom. 3:5). Paul says, "I speak as a man." What kind of man would charge God with being unjust for judging evil? Of course we can see that Paul had been accused of being such a man when he was not.     
  
   And yet another is found in Romans 3:8, "And why not say, 'Let us do evil that good may come?'" 
  
   None of the above has any value in justifying the wicked, nor do they detract from the fact that God requires obedience (Cf. Rom. 6:3, 16-18).                 

  
   Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun. So, let's go back and look  through the history of the Bible for such sayings of complacency.

 

From Job the oldest of books in the Bible:

 

Job 21:14-15
    Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. [15] What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

 

   Question: What kind of man would say that? Read Job 21 and let Job tell you about the wicked rich who spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down t the grave.

 

From the book of Psalms:

 

Psalm 10:11-13
    He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. [12] Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. [13] Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

 

   Question: What kind of person would say this? I suggest that you read verses 2 and 6 which go along with verse 13. The wicked full of pride who persecuted the poor and plotted against the righteous.

 

Psalm 14:1
    "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. ..."
 
   Question: What kind of man? The fool!

 

From the book of Isaiah:

 

Isaiah 5:19
    That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

 

   Question: What kind? The ones addressed with, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (5:20). In this chapter we find those who spent many hours drinking, who justified the wicked for a bribe, and who robbed the righteous of justice. They asked for judgment and it was coming!

 

From the book of Jeremiah:

                                                         

   Here we find that "sayings of complacency" are often self contradicting. In other words they will say they are not what they said exactly that they were. Watch this!
 
  Jeremiah 2:23
    How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim?
see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

 

   Now compare ~ Jeremiah 2:25
   
   Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
 
    Question: What kind? The kind who prove they are liars and do not really care what they say. The ones that will say whatever they think they need to say to get by for that moment!

 

Jeremiah 8:8-9
    How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. [9] The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?

 

  Question: What kind? Some translations reference the false pen of the scribe that works falsehood. They converted God's word into a lie!
.
Jeremiah 8:11
    For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

 

   Note: The one who speaks peaceably to you, but inwardly he sets an ambush for you! (Cf. Jer. 9:8). 

 

Ezekiel is a "they say" book if I ever saw one!

 

Ezekiel 8:12
    "...for they say, The Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth."

 

   Question: What kind? The wicked idolatrous elders who thought the world belonged to the devils, and worshipped them in hidden chambers! (Cp. Ps. 24:1)
 
Note: These sayings are supposed to be more convincing when presented in combinations!

 

Ezekiel 9:9                            
    "...for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not."

 

Ezekiel 12:26-27
    "...the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.' "

 

   Question: What kind? The kind that can always put off God's judgment and think that it is never at hand (Cf. verses 22-23; Cp. Amos 9:10. The carnal in churches of Christ often feel this way (Cf. 2 Cor. 12:20-21).
 
Ezekiel 18:25
    "Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal."

 

   Question: What kind? The one looking for a loophole who will give a typical childish response to discipline and say, "That isn't fair!"

 

From the book of Malachi:
  
   Here is a book that teaches God knows every little petty thing Christians say about Him and the work of the church they belong to. 

 

Malachi 1:12-13
    "...in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. [13] Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! ..."

 

   Question: What kind? The ones who complain and sneer but give the very things they complain and sneer! Those who promise to do better and make others think they are, but who actually offer less (Cf. 1:14). These are God's to curse!

 

Malachi 2:17
    "… When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?"

 

Note: These saying of complacency deceive some into thinking God can be a friend to sin (Cf. James 4:4). 

 

Malachi 3:14-15
    Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? [15] And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

 

Question: What kind? The kind who had not done well so now they have an excuse to say this!                 

 

From the book of Zephaniah:

 

Zeph. 1:12
    And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.

 

Note: The word "settled" means ~  to shrink, that is, thicken (as unracked wine, curdled milk, clouded sky, frozen water): - congeal, curdle, dark`, settle (Strong's). JFB commentary: "The effect of wealthy undisturbed ease ("lees") on the ungodly is hardening: they become stupidly secure (compare Psa. 55:19; Amo. 6:1).

 

Conclusion: "And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

 

Question: What was Peter's answer? Read 2 Pet. 3.

 

 

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