Articles
Mediocre
Mediocre
Mediocre is defined as “moderate or inferior in quality; ordinary” (AHD, 1992, p.1121). We are familiar with things that are mediocre. We may drive a car that is just mediocre. We may choose to buy a product that is mediocre because it is good enough for the purpose for which we’re going to use it. Or perhaps we’ve determined that the greater benefit to be received by the superior product is not worth the increased cost. All of this is ok and a matter of judgment. No law demands we buy and possess and use the excellent car, clothing, etc., and other than trying to be a good steward of the things God has put into our hands, there is no Scriptural precept that would point us to avoid purchasing or using what is mediocre.
But let us consider the idea of mediocre in spiritual matters. Mediocrity as a result of mediocre effort in the service of God is wrong!
Contrary to mediocre effort being praised in the Bible, we find Jesus, our perfect example, excelling in all that He could give. We find the apostles excelling in their efforts in the kingdom of heaven. And we find the apostles teaching us to not give mediocre effort in our walk with the Lord. Hear Paul: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9). “Abound” and “approve the things that are excellent” does not describe mediocrity.
An attitude of mediocrity can involve making unwise comparison. In 2 Corinthians 10:12, Paul says some in Corinth compared themselves and measured themselves among themselves and were not wise in doing so. It’s easy to compare yourself to someone who is immoral or who gives no or little effort to work in the kingdom and then to arrive at a judgment that you have excelled in your own effort. In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, if the five-talent servant wanted to give mediocre effort, he could have compared himself to the two-talent servant and then only given what would be for him mediocre effort to produce two talents; but that would not have pleased his master. Our attitude and our efforts must be to do all that we can do with the ability and opportunity God has blessed us with. We simply cannot give mediocre efforts in the service of our Lord and expect Him to be pleased.
Can you imagine an elder saying, “I just want to be mediocre”? What about a preacher who gives mediocre effort to his work because all he wants to be is just mediocre.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). That’s not describing mediocre effort. This is written in the context of instruction to wives, husbands, children, fathers, and servants, so we shouldn’t give mediocre effort in any of the relationships we sustain.
Christians are to be light and salt, pursuing holiness and purity. That is not mediocre. God wants Christians to be a people who give diligent effort to serve in the kingdom, to pursue excellence in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord, to not lay down and rest on past accomplishments, to not be satisfied with where they are spiritually but desiring and giving continued earnest effort to grow. Christians shouldn’t give mediocre effort individually nor when they work collectively, such as in worship and leading in worship.
Imagine sitting down at a restaurant and being served just a mediocre meal when you are expecting and paying for something more. You’re not pleased! And God isn’t pleased when our service to Him is with an attitude and an effort that is just mediocre. Let’s be sure we’re not doing that. The gift of salvation is infinitely greater than mediocre, and our response to the gospel must be more than mediocre too.
