Leaving The Comfort Zone

Written by Christopher Mentzer

Some people don’t like change.  Even if it’s an improvement they simply don’t like it.  Technology, for example, is constantly changing.  One year you’re listening to 45 records and the next year it’s compact discs.  The same with movies; from VHS to DVD.  People try to resist these advances and try to settle into their “comfort zone” of entertainment.  Soon they realize they have to change.

In religion it’s almost the same but more people are staying in their “comfort zone”.  There are those who call themselves Christians that attend worship, read their bible, pray and basically lead a “Godly life”.  However, when you explore their life you notice that this “Christianity” is only on the surface.  Something is still there that shouldn’t be because they can’t leave the “comfort zone”.  Things like:  an occasional glass of wine with dinner, a purchased lottery ticket (but only if the total is over $100 Million), or some other sin that they call a vice.  “Everyone has a vice,” they would say proudly.

The word vice is used instead of sin to downplay the activity.  However, here’s a few definitions found in the dictionary:

1.      An immoral or evil practice or habit.

2.      immoral conduct; depraved or degrading behavior

3.      Sexual immorality; especially prostitution

4.      a fault, defect or shortcoming

Just looking at these definitions would make me think twice about using the word ‘vice’ in place of sin.  It is basically the one and the same.

But none of the people who call themselves “Christians” really want to leave their comfort zone and total commit their lives to God and what the scriptures say.  Look at the story of the Rich Young Ruler (Mk. 10: 17-22).  Here’s a man who has been taught the truth from the scriptures since his youth and yet he sought out Jesus as he felt he was missing a something in his life.  Here are verses 21 and 22 for the outcome:

“21. And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  22. But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.”

This man loved his possessions so much he refused to leave his “comfort zone” and do the right thing.  For another example look at Luke 9: 57-62.  Here are three men who want to follow Jesus but don’t truly understand what’s at stake so they rely on other things to avoid confrontation.  They show “good intentions” by requesting to be a disciple but fall back on their “comfort zone” to get out of it.

The apostle Paul warned the churches about “a little leaven leavening the whole lump.” (1 Cor. 5: 6-7; Gal. 5: 9)  A little sin can destroy a soul just as easily as a big sin.

But Paul did have some encouraging words also.  In 1 Cor. 6: 17-20 he wrote, “17. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.  18. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  19. Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; 20. for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.”

It’s time to leave our “comfort zones”.  Be separate from those of the world (2 Cor. 6: 17-18; 1 Jn. 2: 15-17), give up our evils ways and live our life for Christ.