When it comes to religion, many are seemingly satisfied with the "status quo" (the existing condition or state of affairs AHD). They simply have no desire to move forward. (Of course, there are those who desire to "move forward," but the direction in which they move takes them away from scripture.) The purpose of this short lesson is to focus on the individual's growth in the Lord. It is clear that our Father in Heaven expects each of His children to grow continuously, not to remain in a "status quo" spiritual condition. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18).

Following are some questions that we need to honestly ask ourselves, and to continue asking ourselves throughout our sojourn here, keeping in mind what is written in 2 Corinthians 13:5: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" So then, Are You Satisfied With...

1. Your Faith? (And here, faith also refers to a life lived in Christ-faithfulness). It is written, "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith." (Luke 17:5) How often do you approach God in prayer and say to Him, "Father, increase my faith"? Are you adding to your faith? "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-8)
   
   Is your faith being tried? If not, there's a good chance that it is not growing at all, but instead, is remaining "status quo." Jesus declared to His disciples:
   
   
   • "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
   • "I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
   • "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."(John 15:2,5,8)
   • "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7)
     
     
   Are you satisfied with your faith?
   
   
2. Your Knowledge? It is written, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Could you "give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15)? Are you always ready? It is evident that many are zealous for God; but it is equally evident that many are ignorant of God's word and will. "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel (and all souls) is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." (Romans 10:1-3) "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come I unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).
   
   Knowledge is a prerequisite to faithful, fruitful living. The quest for knowledge is an ever-active endeavor, a daily renewing of the inner-man, or at least it ought to be for the Christian. But how many are satisfied with the "status quo" of their knowledge? How many lack the desire and zeal found in the following scriptures?
   
   
   • "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night."
   • "0 how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day."
   • "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
   • "I have longed for thy salvation, 0 Lord; and thy law is my delight." (Psalm 1:1-2; 119:97,103,174)
   • "These (the Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)
     
     
   Many starve themselves to death spiritually because they are satisfied with the "status quo" of the milk of the Word. Like wells that are constantly being filled with life-giving water, so should our minds be engaged in studying and meditating on God's Word. Jesus delcared, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) This is not a one-time feeding. God's word should be our daily bread. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Colossians 3:16) Are you satisfied with your knowledge?
   
   
3. Your Resistance to Temptation? It is written, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12) "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) Knowledge of God's Word provides the way of escape that enables us to remain faithful.
   
   
   • "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil..."
   • "the tempter came to Him, and said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God..."
   • "(Satan) saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down..."
   • "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God..."
   • "(the devil) saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get the hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:1,3-4, 6,7, 9-10)
     
     
   It is no coincidence that the armor of God is the Word of God. Do you see then the importance of knowledge, and the faith thereby to resist the devil? How sad that many do not. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints..." (Ephesians 6:13-18) Are you satisfied with your resistance to temptation?
   
   
4. Your Love Toward the Brethren? It is written, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments." (1 John 5:2) Sadly, some Christians do not understand HOW or WHY to love their brethren. And the result is that they do not keep one of God's "easiest" (if I may so use the term) commandments.
   
   Some are so stuck on Thou Shalt's and Thou Shalt Not's, that simple Bible principles and common sense are completely foreign to them. Because they now seek to escape their responsibilities toward their brethren, the church, on the Judgment Day, many will find themselves separated from these same brethren for all eternity-not just the few hours they chose to be separated while here on earth.
   
   
   • "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearfu1 looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." (Hebrews10:24-27)
   • "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)
   • "Sin is transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)
   • "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23).
     
     
   Any questions?
   
   It saddens me to know of brethren who willfully abandon the assembling of the saints, and then to hear their "excuses." They neglect the God-given opportunities for their faith to be strengthened by the knowledge they could be gaining from their brethren who seek to exhort them to love and good works. Thus, they would be better equipped to fight the good fight of faith and to resist the adversary. But, no, they are satisfied with the status quo--Sunday morning worship. The less time spent with their brethren, the better. Those with such attitudes would do well to heed the following poem written by an unknown author:
   
   
   "Dead Weight"
   
   

   I've been a dead weight many years around the church's neck;
   I've let the others carry me and always pay the check.
   
   I've had my name upon the rolls for years and years gone by.
   I've criticized and grumbled too--nothing could satisfy.
   
   I've been a dead weight long enough upon the church's back;
   Beginning now, I'm going to take a wholly different track.
   
   I'm going to pray and pay and work. And carry loads instead;
   And not have others carry me like people do the dead.
   
   
   
   Are you satisfied with your love toward the brethren?
   
   
5. Your Love for God? This question is, of course, the foundation question upon which all the others rest. Without a growing love for God, there cannot be a growing love for brethren; and resisting Satan becomes a futile effort, for one neglects the very power of God (Cf. Romans 1:16-17); and faith dies. True satisfaction is found in a constantly growing love for God. For therein lie the blessings and promises, fulfillment and peace. Therein lies LIFE-both now and forever! "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." (Psalm 17:15)
   
   
6. Last question-Will You Be Satisfied on the Judgment Day?