Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of people who were very sincere in their beliefs because of what they were taught or because of the lack of teaching.
The two main categories of these individuals are:
1) those who are sincere but are sincerely wrong; and
2) those who had fallen under the influences of the people and the environment around them.
When faced with the Truth, we can read how different individuals responded. Let’s look at some Biblical examples.
Because of Noah’s obedience, he and his family were delivered from the destruction of the flood. We read in Genesis 6:8, how Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord informed him of the coming flood of destruction and proceeded to give Noah instructions for the building of the ark.
This ark was to be his and his family’s deliverance from the coming judgment. Of course, we know what Noah’s response was. He obeyed the instructions that God gave him and built the ark to the exact specifications given to him. Genesis 6:22 Here we have a shining example of Noah’s response to truth. He responded with the undaunting task of building an ark which brought salvation to him and his family.
Noah stepped out of his comfort zone.
We can read about another response to truth when God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-2. Here we read about God calling Abraham to leave his home, to leave his country. The Lord was actually calling Abraham to leave everything that was “safe” and “secure” to him and to go to a place that he had never been before.
This new “land” was not even revealed to him as of yet. In other words, Abraham did not even know what the final destination was going to be. Because of Abraham’s obedience and response to the truth-speaker, God made an everlasting covenant with him. Genesis 17:7
Abraham stepped out of his comfort zone.
Today, we are called the children of Abraham when we put on Christ through the waters of baptism. Galatians 3:27, 29
Another response to truth can be seen in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Acts 22:3-8,10,16 Here we read about an astute young man who was diligent in his studies, who sat at the feet a profound respected teacher.
We read that Saul was zealous in his beliefs. He was a man of action and was very sincere but found out that he was sincerely wrong in his beliefs. How did Saul respond when confronted with the Truth? Even though this “new” truth went against everything he was taught, Saul embraced this “new” truth and the way that he once persecuted. Saul stepped out of his comfort zone. Paul became one of the most powerful influential preachers and teachers of the Gospel message that he once persecuted. Acts 9:20
Paul stepped out of his comfort zone.
Another example of an individual’s action when confronted with Truth can be seen in a man named Apollos. The Bible tells us that Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and taught diligently, but knew only the baptism of John. Acts 18:24-25
When a couple name of Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos teaching the people, they pulled him aside and expounded the Word of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26 There is no doubt that Aquila and Priscilla explained to Apollos about baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38
What was Apollos’ reaction when he heard truth? Apollos immediately embraced it and wasted no time partnering with Paul and the rest of the Apostles spreading the Gospel message wherever they went. Acts 18:28, 1 Corinthians 3:6
Apollos stepped out of his comfort zone.
We can read about another noble reaction to truth in Acts 17:11. Paul and Silas left Thessalonica and arrived in Berea. They immediately entered into the synagogue of the Jews and began to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Notice the people who heard this teaching received it with all “readiness of mind” and began to search the Scriptures to see whether or not these things were so.
When confronted with Truth, these Jews and Greeks in Berea turned to the Bible to find out whether or not these things were Scripturally sound. Because of their “readiness of mind”, many of them were willing to search and therefore many of them believed. Acts 17:12
The Bereans stepped out of their comfort zone.
Another very profound reaction to truth can be found in 2 Kings 22. King Josiah, one of the few righteous Kings in Israel’s history, had initiated a construction project to rehabilitate the House of the Lord.
The temple had fallen in extreme disrepair under the reign of the apostate King Manasseh. It was in the midst of this repair project that the High Priest named Hilkiah found the Book of the Law and had the scribe Shaphan take it to King Josiah and read it to him. We can see the emotional reaction of Josiah when he heard the words of the Book of the Law. 2 Kings 22:10-11
When King Josiah was confronted with truth, he responded in the most violently righteous way possible. He read the Book of the Law into the ears of all the people. 2 Kings 23:2 He then made a covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord and to keep all of His commandments. 2 Kings 23:3
He then proceeded to cleanse both the temple and the land of all idols, images, and all abominations that had slowly found their way into the lives of the people of God. 2 Kings 23:24-25
King Josiah stepped out of his comfort zone.
This account is so ironic in that the priests had actually lost the “Word of God” in the House of the Lord. This account serves as a warning to Churches and Christians living today.
The greatest threat to the Church today is not the sin, evil, and wickedness outside the Church, but rather the apathy that lives right inside many Churches today.
If the Truth of the Word of God is lost today, it is not because the world has snatched it out of our hands, but because we have lost it in the house of the Lord. The biggest threat to the Word of God is our own neglect of it in our Churches and in our homes.
In the New Covenant in which we live, all believers are called to be priests. 1 Peter 2:9 It becomes every believers responsibility to actively place the Word of God at the center of our lives, our marriages, our families, our homes, and of course, our Churches. Apathy and neglect are how Israel lost the Word of God. We must always combat these tendencies in our daily lives.
How do we prevent this apathy from happening in our lives?
By actively engaging ourselves in spiritual growth. 2 Peter 3:18
By adding to our faith, knowledge. 2 Peter 1:10
By the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2
By studying to show ourselves approved unto God. 2 Timothy 2:15
By continuing in the doctrine. 1 Timothy 2:13, 16
By opening up our deaf ears and our blinded eyes to Truth. Isaiah 29:18, 24
This is the responsibility of every believer.
Conclusion
We have discussed many examples of individuals who were confronted with truth. This truth always took them out of their comfort zone. Noah spent years building an ark that no one else really understood the purpose of. Was it comfortable for Noah, NO. Was it necessary, YES.
Abraham was asked to leave everything familiar to follow truth. What did this get him? An everlasting covenant with God. Saul of Tarsus was transformed on the road to Damascus. His whole life was turned upside down by Truth. Apollos thought he had a great understanding of truth.
When the rest of Truth came, he accepted it and ran with it.
Today, when presented with “truth” that does not sound like the things that we have always been taught, let us follow the examples presented to us in the Word of God.
Let us be noble and receive these things with “all readiness of mind” as the Bereans did. Let us diligently search the Scriptures to see whether or not these things are so.
Let Truth change us. Even Jesus said to “search the Scriptures”. John 5:39 Let us not become bogged down by traditional things that have been taught to us that are simply not what the Bible says at all.
What will you do when faced with Truth? Truth will bring reformation into our lives as well. We may have to step outside our comfort zone as many others did that came before us. We need to keep the Word of God at the center of our doctrine and at the center of our lives.
Will you step outside of your comfort zone?