2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
When I was very young, I played on a basketball team. The coach had very carefully explained how to dribble, pass and shoot and it was finally my time to get into the game. As fate would have it, the very first thing I had to do was to 'inbound' the ball. This required me to step out of bounds, receive the ball from the referee and put the ball into play. However, nobody had explained to me that I had to PASS the ball to a player who was already inbounds. So as I stepped across that line and started dribbling, the whistle blew and I was guilty of my very first turnover. I had failed to play by the rules and there was a penalty for the infraction.
In my Christian walk, there are rules by which I must compete. Let's be clear though that the concept of 'competition' is only a metaphor for we do not compete against each other to see who will be the 'best Christian.' The concept of competition is a metaphor to explain the work, dedication and devotion that is required of Christians that we might finish 'the race' well. It is the difference between the redeemed who is simply a 'regular attender' at church (who just waits for things to happen) and one who is actively engaged in their sanctification process (helping it to happen).
What then is the 'work, dedication and devotion' that separates the complacent from the dedicated Christian? I think it includes attributes such as;
- Discipline - the dedicated or 'competing' Christian must willfully and willingly become familiar with and dedicated to the disciplines of the faith. Church attendance is not the objective; Christlikeness is. To that extent, the growing Christian must set aside anything and everything that works contrary to this objective and engage in rigorous and purposeful application of those behaviors that are put forth in God's Word.
- Self-control - the growing Christian must become familiar with and committed to self-control. There are many habits and proclivities that we engage in that are either inconsistent with or contrary to the goal of Christlikeness in our lives. If there is anything in our life that controls us, other than obedience to God, then it literally calls out for self-control. This includes exercising self-control over; our thoughts, our words, our appetites, our lusts, our avarice, our spending, our consumption and our greed.
- Endurance - the growing Christian soon learns that starting out strong is only a first step. After the initial lap (so to speak) the Christian walk through this life becomes one of endurance. Discipline is only hard after the initial commitment has become familiar. Self-control is only meaningful if it is lasting. The Christian life is a marathon not a sprint and if we apply discipline and self-control as God intends, our endurance will be developed.
- Service - the measure of a Christian is not in their discipline, their self-control or their endurance. These things are simply the tools which are used to bring forth the real fruit of Christlikeness, namely love for others. And there is no measure of love for others that is more accurate than that of service. The disciplined, self-controlled and long-suffering Christian will exhibit a love for others that is unmistakable. Their words, their touch, their very thoughts will all reflect a sincere desire for the welfare of others. This manifests itself as service. Whether doing manual labor or teaching a class, the concept is one of ministry and mission.
Gripped,
Carl
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2 comments:
God spoke toe through your words here Carl! Thank you!!
A great teaching for BPM. I think I'll "steal" this for my devotional @ tomorrow night's meeting in the Berry Patch ... Bill
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