Sloth

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.  Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.- Hebrews 5:11-6:12 ESV

Define

We see sloth as sluggishness, laziness, and passive. But you can be busy and still suffer from the sin of sloth. "It is that whole poisoning of the will which beginning with indifference and an attitude of 'I could care less'. It is not merely idleness of mind and laziness: it is that whole poisoning of the will which, beginning with indifference extends to the deliberate refusal of joy and culminates in morbid introspection and despair." The picture is not one of a sluggard, but rather a zombie. Someone who goes through the motions but takes no joy in it. They can be busy, but the do not perform excellently nor do they desire to. So what moves them? Comfort. They seek to minimize discomfort and the path of least resistance. At the first sign of difficulty, they contemplate quitting.

Diagnosis

This is what it looks like in the modern day. "... evenings without number obliterated by television, evenings neither of entertainment nor of education but of narcoticized defense against time and duty." - Richard John Neuhaus Your heart lifts comfort to the highest priority. Why? Because your heart is bored with God.

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.- 2 Peter 1:10 ESV

Those who profess to follow Christ and are apathetic to the things of Christ should check themselves. Are they truly saved or just self-deceived? If you say you are a Christian but are largely not concerned with the outworking of the Gospel in your life, do you have saving faith?

Sloth causes you to suffer loss
- You waste your time, talents, and treasure... Your life.
- You move further away from the true source of comfort and leisure, God.

Slothful people seek to gorge themselves on comfort, but ironically move away from the real place to find comfort and rest... God.

Destroying Slothfulness

By faith in the promise of the gospel

Believe in the Gospel. That Jesus is the source of true comfort. But there is a difference between comfort and being comfortable. Jesus will turn your life upside down. He does not promise a comfortable life, but he will give you a real comfort.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Comfort is offered... Through labor, not  leisure.

Through patient perseverance

We look at God, the holy one, and are bored. Our hearts are warped to look upon the one from whom angels hide their faces... And are unimpressed. We must take the things of God seriously. Reformed people need to know that God is not opposed to effort. It is only opposed to salvation by effort. There is no shortcut, we need to commit ourselves to the Word and prayer. The devotion of an hour and a half every week is not sufficient for the maturation of our joy and love in Christ. If your relationship with Jesus is limited to just under two hours every week, you will remain in sloth. Any meaningful relationship requires effort... in friendships, in marriage, and in our union with Christ.