Status Quo Living

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (Message)

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

Status quo living is not for the Born-Again, Blood-Bought Child of the Living God. However, on the hours, days, weeks, months or years of spiritual warfare that are encountered after Jesus Christ redeems us, there are times when the humanity of God’s Children call out to be returned to the days when there was no war. When there was no battle because there was no standard. We recall a time when living on a whim and living with the consequences seemed okay because repayment was in the distant future and no time soon. But now as a Christian, there is an inner desire to seek God like never before yet many journey back to the land of status quo. Why?

In the struggles of life, status quo seems like a divine place of tranquility where life is good. It requires very little effort but meets our needs. It is the known rather than the unknown. It is embracing where you are instead of dreaming and chasing all that could be. Average prevails in this state of being. It is comfortable. There is very little pressure in the realm of status quo. It is not human nature, yet as humans we tend to embrace it in an attempt to escape the discipline of success. Why? Status quo is based on yesterday’s philosophy rather than futuristic thinking. It is a false sense of security that will trap a believer into missing the Will of God. The dreams and visions that God has placed in our hearts will not come to pass if left to status quo living because they depend on faith. Faith is in the future. It believes without seeing but status quo requires visible results.

Status quo is a Latin phrase which means the “state in which.” It is derived from the statement, “status quo ante bellum” which means “the state in which (it was) before the war.” Status quo implies immobility or retreat which is never in the plan of God when it comes to battling for more of the Lord and advancing His Kingdom. Therefore God does not dwell in status quo as comfortable as we may be there. The more we seek God the more crazy life seems to become. If you are not experiencing any challenges in life today, then my friend you are probably not pressing for more but settling for less. God has equipped us to smash out of mediocrity and become more like Jesus. It requires a daily life assessment and battle plan. There will be times of rest in the lives of the Faithful but there will be more battles than furloughs. It is a life of hard work as we clear the way for others to find Christ while taking authority over the enemy of our soul that seeks to destroy us daily. There must be no retreat to the “state before the war” because there was no Jesus in our life before the war. It was declared on the day that we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and will remain until we are with Him in Glory!

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (Message)

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!

Step beyond status quo living today and embark on the journey of a lifetime. Measure your life up side-by-side to the life of Jesus Christ. By doing so and making the necessary changes, you will enter the battle of a lifetime. It is worth it! On every level, you will experience God’s divine intervention in your life. You will experience miracles, favor, peace and love even when all hell is breaking loose. You have raised a standard! It represents honor, commitment and faith! God will bless you! The greatness of God’s Power manifested in the life of Jesus Christ will happen in your life and will bring others to the Lord! Even in the weakened vessel that you are, you become a beacon for the Kingdom while you advance His Principles here on earth. What are you waiting for? Step out of status quo living!