Ordinary, average, middle-of-the-road, uninspired, undistinguished, indifferent, unexceptional, unexciting, unremarkable, run-of-the-mill. These are all words synonymous with a word that means “of only moderate quality; not very good.”
That word—mediocre.
Mediocrity describes too much of daily life today at home, the work place, in businesses, churches, entertainment, and sadly at times in my own life. Yet, I believe that the worst place for mediocrity to raise its indifferent, ordinary head is in a born-again Christian’s life.
Consider what the Bible says about mediocrity:
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17,23 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Simply put, a mediocre Christian is one whose thirst for God has waned over time, and sadly, he/she doesn’t realize it. Instead of giving diligence to his growth in Christ, to add to his original faith in Christ (2 Peter 1:3-7, 10), he has become barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins (1:8-9).
As we heard last night in our Men with a Mission weekly ministry, “Mediocrity cheapens the grace of God.”
Are you a mediocre Christian? Here are 10 questions taken from last night’s lesson to ask yourself to determine your level of mediocrity. Read each one carefully and thoughtfully. Do not rush through the list or be mediocre about it.
- Is your thirst for God growing?
- Are you more and more loving?
- Are you more sensitive to and aware of God?
- Are you governed more and more by His Word?
- Are you more and more concerned for others?
- Are you more and more concerned over the Church/the Body of Christ?
- Are the disciplines of the Christian life more important to you?
- Are you more and more aware of sin?
- Are you more and more forgiving of others?
- Are you thinking more and more of heaven?
When you are cold, you want to be close to the fire. How’s the fire in your Christian life? That will be determined by how close you want to walk with Christ. That will be determined by your vine/branch relationship with Christ (John 15:1-11). You are as close as you want to be; you are as zealous as you want to; you are as zealous as you want to be. God does not force His will on anyone.
The remedy for mediocrity:
For me to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21)
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18)
When we stand before Christ one day at the Bema and our works will be judged, do you want Him to say, “Well done for being completely mediocre.”?
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