VACILLATING VIRTUES

I Was Just Thinking About – VACILLATING VIRTUE

In a secular sense, a person who vacillates is one who is changeable, undependable (not trustworthy or reliable) and non-committed. In a spiritual sense, it is often referred to as backsliding – a relapse into bad habits, sinful behavior, indulging in vices rather than virtues, decline and abandonment. Neither of these applications, secular or spiritual, is acceptable or desirable. When these attitudes and behaviors are allowed, it contributes to cultural chaos and departure from viable core values and foundational principles.

To get an idea of how widespread backsliding and abandonment has become within particular churches, look at the Church Roll. In too many instances, the Roll contains names of people who haven’t attended Church Worship Services or the Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper for many years. Why are their names on the roll? Usually, because of the influence of a parent (or parents) or the fear that someone might be offended if their names were removed.

Within a deteriorating culture and time of persecution, the Apostle Peter had little time for embracing backsliding individuals or non-committed members. He issued that which should be embraced as the continuing guideline for those who were being scattered and becoming refugees. In II Peter 1:3-4, he focuses the people on the great and precious promises of God. Then, in II Peter 1:5-9, he adds these words: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”

Why are people backsliding and abandoning the Bride of Christ – His Church? In some cases, they have never been redeemed by the blood of The Lamb. In other instances, they need to check out whether or not they are making “every effort” to increase and enhance these virtues and to pursue those qualities that will prevent them from being or becoming “ineffective and unproductive” in their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His will for them and His Church. Peter bluntly states that those who fail to pursue the virtuous traits are “nearsighted to the point of blindness.” They have become part of a roadblock that limits Church growth, effectiveness and viability.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me!