Hosanna Restoration Church

Not using due diligence: This is the first definition of slack in Webster’s collegiate dictionary. After looking this up, it came as no surprise that as I was reading Romans chapter 6 the Holy Spirit would impress on me that perhaps the greatest enemy to our growth in the Lord is our willingness to cut ourselves and others slack when it comes to obeying what the Word of God says. We need to remember that grace is not intended to give us slack but rather to empower us. Grace is what God gives us to keep the slack out!

Slack comes in many forms. It can be as subtle as a thought that we are doing a lot better than some other people we know, or we are doing a lot better than we were before.” In one sense these are simply honest evaluations and not harmful, unless they are our response to something the Spirit convicts us about. Then they can be that little bit of slack that leads to a little bit more until the things fall apart.

We really need to be watchful that we do not harm ourselves or others in our attempt to be what we see as gracious, forgiving, or understanding. Confronting sin is the nicest thing we can do for ourselves or for others. It is the truth that makes people free. Slack is what condones abominable things. Of course this does not mean we are out fault finding. It does not mean we become harsh with others or ourselves. It means we stay honest to the Word of God in all things. Remember, nothing can stop God from loving us, but lots of things can distance us from the Kingdom of God and the blessings that go with it. We need to be sure to keep the slack out.

When God first spoke of slack, I thought of a time when my son arranged for me to repel down the ROTC wall at his school. When I went over the edge the guy on top had left too much slack in the rope. Instantly I banged against the wall. To be honest, I did not think much of it until I got down and they were asking me if I was ok. Until they asked I just thought that was normal. When we get slack in our walk, we end up banging against walls not even realizing that it was the slack that caused it. So many people have done it that it has been considered normal to bang into wall and go up and down in their walk with God. The problem with that thinking is that Jesus was our example and He allowed no slack.

Another example might be slack in a tow rope. If you are water skiing, too much slack will leave you with empty hands or dislocated shoulders. If you are towing a vehicle, too much slack will snap the chain or the rope. When it comes to our walk with God, slack is too large of an enemy to ignore. We must be alert and not allow slack to even get a foot in the door. We cannot shrug off conviction; we need to respond to it. The proper response is repentance. Grace empowers us to repent and turn away, not take a little slack.

I wonder when we last repented. I don’t mean when we last said we were sorry, but when we last faced the truth about something and truly determined to do something about it. I am still considering this and making sure I have covered the bases. I believe the Lord is telling me “No more slack!” What is He saying to you?