Uncontent

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11, says;” I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” In context, Paul was speaking in terms of personal comfort and personal provisions. But are there things that we should not be content with? Absolutely!

Christ’s great commission to ‘go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all He commanded’ is non-negotiable for Christians. So if there’s anything to not be content with, it’s not whether or not you have your dream house, your fantasy car, your ideal job, or a good stock portfolio; it’s the fact that we are FAR from making disciples of all nations.

Today, I read a report mentioned by Mark Driscoll on Facebook on the most (and least) “religious” states in America. The report was not good from an eternal perspective. In fact, my heart literally sank as I read it. But from an evangelistic perspective, the opportunities to reach tens of millions with the Gospel is unparalleled.

My state, Oregon, is the 7th least “religious” state in America. Though I don’t care for the term “religious” and do not consider true Christianity a religion whatsoever, here are the four things the poll takes into account to determine a state’s religiousness:
Percent of people who say religion is very important in their lives; Percent of people who say they attend religious services at least once a week; Percent of people who say they pray at least once a day; and the Percent of people who say they believe in God with absolute certainty.

46% of Oregonians say religion is very important in their lives; 32% say they attend religious services at least once a week; 48% say they pray at least once a day; and the 63% say they believe in God with absolute certainty.

And as a pastor living in this state I will never be, and I will make sure my church will never be, content until all of those percentages are at 100%. And I will never exude contentment unless all of those 100% who say religion is very important embrace relationship with Jesus; until all of those 100% who attend religious services each week are attending Bible teaching, Christ centered, mission minded services each week; until all of those 100% who pray everyday are praying non-selfish prayers to the God of the Bible in Jesus’ Name; and until all of those 100% who believe in God with absolute certainty believe in the One and Only All Powerful God of the Bible who is coequally and coeternally existent as Father, Son, and Spirit. And even then, may I not be content until the entire world is at the same 100%’s.

This is why I live, this makes it hard to breathe sometimes, this keeps me up at night, this consumes me! If it wasn’t for this lack of contentment I, and all those who call upon the Name of the Lord for salvation, would be standing before God in a new heaven and a new earth. May I NEVER be content with the spiritual condition of this world. May I never be content in my walk with Christ. May I never be content with the way my church operates. But rather, may I have my heart broken and my steps directed by a world, that without Jesus Christ, is bound for an eternal hell.