Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
December 12, 1970
NUMBER 31, PAGE 5b

Status Quo

James Sanders

Status Quo is a Latin phrase which may be translated as "the state in which" or as "the existing condition." Maintaining the Status Quo simply means leaving things as they are; doing no more or no less.

A Status Quo Policy is a good one in some areas. Purity of the gospel, for example, must be always maintained. Nothing can be subtracted, added, or even substituted to Heaven's Ordinances! (Cf. Gal. 1:8, 9; Rev. 22:18-19).

But error is exactly the opposite. Left alone error only multiplies and breeds more falsehood. A Status Quo or lax attitude here would certainly be the worse course to follow! (Cf. Rom. 16:17;1 Cor. 4:6).

But our objective is to discuss Status Quo from another viewpoint: slothfulness in the work of the Lord! Being content with things as they are rather than what they should be! Members who are satisfied in only "keeping house for the Lord" are the worse form of a Status Quo. Amos described those who were indifferent to Zion and her battles as the fat "kine of Bashan" (4:1). The prophet further added, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion" (6:1).

Even our Lord recognized the danger of being at ease in the Father's business. He said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work" (Jno. 9:4). His Parable of the Talents stands forth as a classic example of maintaining the Status Quo. (Cf. Matt. 25:14-30). Condemnation befell the one-talent man not because he was immoral, irreligious, or believed a false doctrine. He was damned because he did nothing. The one-talent man merely maintained the Status Quo.

Christianity is a religion of doing — but are we doing our part? What have 1 done recently for the triumph of truth and exaltation of God is the question. Exactly what is our objective — maintaining the Status Quo or really working for the Lord?

— Rt. 3, Greencastle, Indiana 46135