The Apostle Paul sometimes used illustrations from the arena of athletics to make his point. One of his best known athletic illustrations is found in I Corinthians 9:24-27. There he wrote, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”(NASB)
In this illustration there are at three traits found in great athletes that can be transposed to the Christian life. First, a great athlete must have dedication. There has always been the argument over whether an athlete is born or made. There is some truth to both thoughts. Certainly, there needs to be some natural God-given talents for an athlete to excel. However, if the work ethic is not there, the athlete will never reach his/her full potential. Over the years there have been many athletes who were so naturally blessed that they could stand head and shoulders above most of their competition. However, their full potential may have never been realized because they were unwilling to give the dedication needed to fully develop all of their God-given talents. If you do the research, you will discover that the truly great ones spent long hours developing their tools.
Second, a great athlete must have determination. There is an old saying in football that says, “It is not how hard you get knocked down that counts; it is how fast you get up.” Every athlete knows that there are going to be days when things do not go well. There are going to be times when you are knocked down. The good ones absorb the blow and get up with a new determination to not let it happen again. Their focus is on the prize at the end. It is nice when the prize is a championship trophy. However, it is also gratifying to be able to look back and know that you have stayed the course and have been the best you can be.
Third, the great athlete understands discipline. The discipline of the body may be included in the dedication and determination of the athlete. However, there is another form of discipline. It is the discipline to play within the rules when they take the field, court or track. If they choose to ignore the rules and play by their own standards, they forfeit the opportunity to win the prize and receive the joys that come from victory.
It is not hard to see the need for these three qualities in the life of a Christian. This need is evidence by the numbers of Christians who are living defeated, unfulfilled lives. They have expected all the benefits without any of the toil. Christians of our day need to look at the saints of old and learn from how they weathered adversity. It has never been easy to be a Christian. The world has always been hostile to the message of Christ. The secret to overcoming is not found in some simple formula but it is found in personal dedication, determination and discipline. Just as these three qualities are the defining factor between the average athletes and the great ones, they are the defining factors in the life of the Christian living the victorious life and the Christian who is simply getting by.
One final comment, Paul stresses that the athlete does it to receive a perishable wreath or in our day, a trophy or some other kind of recognition, but the Christian does it to receive an imperishable reward. For the Christian a “well done My good and faithful servant” will suffice when we stand before our eternal coach.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Reflection for February 11, 2010
Good News
A few years back, my wife and I celebrated her birthday at a well known restraint. When we entered the restaurant I noticed a small plague on the checkout counter that notified us that this was a 100 percent smoke free restaurant. No sooner than I read the informative plague the hostess asked us whether we wanted smoking or non-smoking. We told her that we preferred non-smoking.
As we were being seated, I could not help but wonder why that question was necessary in a 100 per cent smoke free restaurant. When our server came, my curiosity was getting the best of me. I asked the server why we needed to be asked whether we preferred smoking or non-smoking if it was a 100 per cent smoke free facility. The server’s explained, “If you are 80 per cent smoke free, you met the requirements.”
I am not sure if this explanation was accurate, but my first inclination is to believe that it was...It is typical of the manner in which we interpret rules and laws today. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, we are often sticklers about the laws that do not interfere with our lives but we are constantly looking for ways to circumvent the ones that are not suitable to our purposes.
Just in case you are thinking that this does not apply to you. Think about this. When was the last time you thought it was all right to exceed the speed limit as long as you did not exceed it more that five miles per hour? I sense that there are still some toes that have not been stepped upon. Let me try one more time. When is the last time that you went to a buffet and while you were there, you attempted to split a dinner or even a salad with someone with you? In your eyes, it may be a frugal decision. In God’s eyes, it is taking something that you have not paid for. Some would call that stealing. The point is that most of us operate on the assumption that laws and rules are good until they interfere with something we want.
While we often seem to get away with such tactics in the world, we need to be reminded that in God’s law there is not room for maneuvering. What God says; God means! To make matters worse, God says that if we have broken one of His laws we have broken all of them. This is why Paul refers to God’s Law as a tutor. It is there to show us how incapable we are of keeping the Law perfectly.
The theological term for the breaking of one of God’s laws is sin. In his Letter to the Romans Paul wrote: “we all have sinned and fallen short of His glory.” The bad news does not end there. He goes on to notify us that “the wages of sin is death.” The death to which he refers is much more that the ending of these physical lives that we cling to so doggedly. It means a spiritual death that eternally separates us from the God that we were originally created to have fellowship with.
Since I believed the appraisal of man found above, it was not difficult for me to see that I had a great need that I could not meet on my own. My breaking of God’s law had separated me from Him and all my efforts were not enough to restore the fellowship that has been broken. If I had not believed the rest of the story, I would have been extremely depressed over my hopeless condition.
I am grateful that Paul followed his bad news with good news. He wrote, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ our Lord.”(Romans 6:23) The rest of the story is that God loved me enough to provide a means by which I could be restored to the fellowship that had been lost. He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross for my sins. When I received Him into my life and decided to follow Him, the forgiveness that He died to provide became mine
The “Good News” in all of this is that the miracle of redemption is for anyone who is willing to open his/her heart to receive it. My prayer is that you will take that step, if you have not done so. You will not regret it.
A few years back, my wife and I celebrated her birthday at a well known restraint. When we entered the restaurant I noticed a small plague on the checkout counter that notified us that this was a 100 percent smoke free restaurant. No sooner than I read the informative plague the hostess asked us whether we wanted smoking or non-smoking. We told her that we preferred non-smoking.
As we were being seated, I could not help but wonder why that question was necessary in a 100 per cent smoke free restaurant. When our server came, my curiosity was getting the best of me. I asked the server why we needed to be asked whether we preferred smoking or non-smoking if it was a 100 per cent smoke free facility. The server’s explained, “If you are 80 per cent smoke free, you met the requirements.”
I am not sure if this explanation was accurate, but my first inclination is to believe that it was...It is typical of the manner in which we interpret rules and laws today. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, we are often sticklers about the laws that do not interfere with our lives but we are constantly looking for ways to circumvent the ones that are not suitable to our purposes.
Just in case you are thinking that this does not apply to you. Think about this. When was the last time you thought it was all right to exceed the speed limit as long as you did not exceed it more that five miles per hour? I sense that there are still some toes that have not been stepped upon. Let me try one more time. When is the last time that you went to a buffet and while you were there, you attempted to split a dinner or even a salad with someone with you? In your eyes, it may be a frugal decision. In God’s eyes, it is taking something that you have not paid for. Some would call that stealing. The point is that most of us operate on the assumption that laws and rules are good until they interfere with something we want.
While we often seem to get away with such tactics in the world, we need to be reminded that in God’s law there is not room for maneuvering. What God says; God means! To make matters worse, God says that if we have broken one of His laws we have broken all of them. This is why Paul refers to God’s Law as a tutor. It is there to show us how incapable we are of keeping the Law perfectly.
The theological term for the breaking of one of God’s laws is sin. In his Letter to the Romans Paul wrote: “we all have sinned and fallen short of His glory.” The bad news does not end there. He goes on to notify us that “the wages of sin is death.” The death to which he refers is much more that the ending of these physical lives that we cling to so doggedly. It means a spiritual death that eternally separates us from the God that we were originally created to have fellowship with.
Since I believed the appraisal of man found above, it was not difficult for me to see that I had a great need that I could not meet on my own. My breaking of God’s law had separated me from Him and all my efforts were not enough to restore the fellowship that has been broken. If I had not believed the rest of the story, I would have been extremely depressed over my hopeless condition.
I am grateful that Paul followed his bad news with good news. He wrote, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ our Lord.”(Romans 6:23) The rest of the story is that God loved me enough to provide a means by which I could be restored to the fellowship that had been lost. He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross for my sins. When I received Him into my life and decided to follow Him, the forgiveness that He died to provide became mine
The “Good News” in all of this is that the miracle of redemption is for anyone who is willing to open his/her heart to receive it. My prayer is that you will take that step, if you have not done so. You will not regret it.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Reflection for February 3, 2010
"Bring Back Blushing"
When I was in the eighth grade, a friend and I decided to go to a movie. This was not just any movie. This was a movie that everyone was talking about. It was a movie supposedly made for adults. If my memory serves me correctly, it was titled, “Baby Doll”, and the star was an actress named Carol Baker. Wouldn’t you know? I do not have clue who the male lead actor was. As we purchased our tickets we held our heads down in fear that someone that knew us might see us. It got worse when we entered the theater. It was full. As we sheepishly searched for a seat we could tell that we were the youngest ones in the theater. We finally sat down or maybe slid down into our seats.
Once the movie started I am sure that no one cared about us, but at the time we felt as if every set of eyes in the place was focused on us. After about twenty minutes, we could stand it no longer and we got up and left. We did not walk out because of some noble religious conviction but we walked out because we were embarrassed.
The point of this tale from the past is that the material in the movie, “Baby Doll”, would seem tame compared to the normal flow of material that pours into our living rooms every night by way of television. Young adolescents sit and watch far more graphic situations everyday on “MTV”. Every imaginable topic is discussed in detail on the many talk shows. These are not late night talk shows. They air every afternoon. Nothing seems to be taboo anymore. Behavior that would have been classified as deviant a few years ago is now often presented as being acceptable. The illustrations are too many to print but hopefully the point has been made that it takes a lot more to embarrass us today than it did in the past.
Many today would argue that the changes reflected in the two paragraphs above are good. We are now a more open society. We no longer must live under the horrible moral codes of the past. We now have a freedom to express ourselves. Those who are considered most admirable are those who continue to “push the envelope”. After all, these are the ones who help us to expand our consciousness and our ability to experience all types of new things.
The proponents of this philosophy refuse to admit the correlation between these changes in moral expectations with the epidemic of social problems that our nation faces. A general breakdown in respect for authority, the breakdown of the family, out of wedlock pregnancies, and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases are a few of the consequences of our new and expanding moral freedom.
The prophet Jeremiah addressed a similar situation in the ancient nation of Judah. He wrote, “Were they ashamed of the abomination they had done? They certainly were not ashamed, and they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time of their punishment they shall be brought down, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 8:12 NASB) My prayer for our nation is that it will learn how to blush once again. If it does not our direction will not change and at some point, contrary to what many teach today, God’s judgment will be unavoidable.
When I was in the eighth grade, a friend and I decided to go to a movie. This was not just any movie. This was a movie that everyone was talking about. It was a movie supposedly made for adults. If my memory serves me correctly, it was titled, “Baby Doll”, and the star was an actress named Carol Baker. Wouldn’t you know? I do not have clue who the male lead actor was. As we purchased our tickets we held our heads down in fear that someone that knew us might see us. It got worse when we entered the theater. It was full. As we sheepishly searched for a seat we could tell that we were the youngest ones in the theater. We finally sat down or maybe slid down into our seats.
Once the movie started I am sure that no one cared about us, but at the time we felt as if every set of eyes in the place was focused on us. After about twenty minutes, we could stand it no longer and we got up and left. We did not walk out because of some noble religious conviction but we walked out because we were embarrassed.
The point of this tale from the past is that the material in the movie, “Baby Doll”, would seem tame compared to the normal flow of material that pours into our living rooms every night by way of television. Young adolescents sit and watch far more graphic situations everyday on “MTV”. Every imaginable topic is discussed in detail on the many talk shows. These are not late night talk shows. They air every afternoon. Nothing seems to be taboo anymore. Behavior that would have been classified as deviant a few years ago is now often presented as being acceptable. The illustrations are too many to print but hopefully the point has been made that it takes a lot more to embarrass us today than it did in the past.
Many today would argue that the changes reflected in the two paragraphs above are good. We are now a more open society. We no longer must live under the horrible moral codes of the past. We now have a freedom to express ourselves. Those who are considered most admirable are those who continue to “push the envelope”. After all, these are the ones who help us to expand our consciousness and our ability to experience all types of new things.
The proponents of this philosophy refuse to admit the correlation between these changes in moral expectations with the epidemic of social problems that our nation faces. A general breakdown in respect for authority, the breakdown of the family, out of wedlock pregnancies, and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases are a few of the consequences of our new and expanding moral freedom.
The prophet Jeremiah addressed a similar situation in the ancient nation of Judah. He wrote, “Were they ashamed of the abomination they had done? They certainly were not ashamed, and they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time of their punishment they shall be brought down, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 8:12 NASB) My prayer for our nation is that it will learn how to blush once again. If it does not our direction will not change and at some point, contrary to what many teach today, God’s judgment will be unavoidable.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Reflection for January 27, 2010
"Reaching Full Potential"
As a pastor one of the greatest joys you experience is to see the church as well as individuals in the church grow to their full potential in their service to the Lord. On the other hand, one of the greatest disappointments for a pastor is to see individuals and churches fail to grow to full potential in their spiritual pilgrimage. Over my ministry, I have had the opportunity to experience both the rewards and disappointments that come in ministry.
It is always inspirational to read the story of someone or of a church that rises above the expectations of those around them. We are inspired by churches that seem to rise above man’s expectations and to do wonderful things in the Lord’s service. It is these kinds of performances that bring out excellence.
Unfortunately, few churches rise to this level. Instead, they are content to take care of their own and to go through the motions of being excited about what the Lord is doing around them. If this is true of churches, it must also be true of church members, since the people constitute the church. If we are to regain momentum in this country more of our churches need to believe the words of Paul found in his prayer for Ephesus. He closed his prayer with these words, “Now to who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think __ according to the power that works in you __ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20, 21 HCSB).
The January 21, 2010 addition of the Baptist Courier contains an article about Bennettsville Second Baptist Church. This church seems to have turned a deaf ear to those who are filled with excuses for why we can’t do things for the Lord. Instead, they have involved themselves in a wide range of ministry activities. Without going into details, here are some of the things Second Baptist is doing.
-1- Annual mission trip to Honduras
-2- Gives 13% to Cooperative Program
-3- Involved in a home mission project in West Virginia
-4- Maintains a strong prayer ministry for people they know
-5- Has an ongoing rebuilding ministry for victims of Katrina
-6- Active in a wide variety of community oriented ministries
The most amazing thing about Second Baptist is that it averages 60 in Sunday school. Obviously, they have not accepted the argument that they are too small to do great things for the Lord. Instead, they have believed that “through Him they can do all things”. While I have not talked to them, I believe they have learned a lesson that every individual and church should learn. They have learned that if they are faithful to the things God has given them to do; He will give them even more things to do.
I was personally inspired by this article about Bennettsville Second Baptist Church. It gives all of us an example to follow. God may not call us to do the same things but He does call all of us to do something. It should inspire each one of us individually and as a church to discover that something He has for us and to do it with all of our might. It should inspire us to refuse to except mediocrity and to aspire to do great things for the Lord. It should inspire us to refuse to accept the not big enough or wealthy enough or talented enough to do anything.
If our churches would develop that kind of can do attitude and to expect God to do far and above anything we can imagine, we can turn the tide of godless humanism that is sweeping our country. It is time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and get busy.
As a pastor one of the greatest joys you experience is to see the church as well as individuals in the church grow to their full potential in their service to the Lord. On the other hand, one of the greatest disappointments for a pastor is to see individuals and churches fail to grow to full potential in their spiritual pilgrimage. Over my ministry, I have had the opportunity to experience both the rewards and disappointments that come in ministry.
It is always inspirational to read the story of someone or of a church that rises above the expectations of those around them. We are inspired by churches that seem to rise above man’s expectations and to do wonderful things in the Lord’s service. It is these kinds of performances that bring out excellence.
Unfortunately, few churches rise to this level. Instead, they are content to take care of their own and to go through the motions of being excited about what the Lord is doing around them. If this is true of churches, it must also be true of church members, since the people constitute the church. If we are to regain momentum in this country more of our churches need to believe the words of Paul found in his prayer for Ephesus. He closed his prayer with these words, “Now to who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think __ according to the power that works in you __ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20, 21 HCSB).
The January 21, 2010 addition of the Baptist Courier contains an article about Bennettsville Second Baptist Church. This church seems to have turned a deaf ear to those who are filled with excuses for why we can’t do things for the Lord. Instead, they have involved themselves in a wide range of ministry activities. Without going into details, here are some of the things Second Baptist is doing.
-1- Annual mission trip to Honduras
-2- Gives 13% to Cooperative Program
-3- Involved in a home mission project in West Virginia
-4- Maintains a strong prayer ministry for people they know
-5- Has an ongoing rebuilding ministry for victims of Katrina
-6- Active in a wide variety of community oriented ministries
The most amazing thing about Second Baptist is that it averages 60 in Sunday school. Obviously, they have not accepted the argument that they are too small to do great things for the Lord. Instead, they have believed that “through Him they can do all things”. While I have not talked to them, I believe they have learned a lesson that every individual and church should learn. They have learned that if they are faithful to the things God has given them to do; He will give them even more things to do.
I was personally inspired by this article about Bennettsville Second Baptist Church. It gives all of us an example to follow. God may not call us to do the same things but He does call all of us to do something. It should inspire each one of us individually and as a church to discover that something He has for us and to do it with all of our might. It should inspire us to refuse to except mediocrity and to aspire to do great things for the Lord. It should inspire us to refuse to accept the not big enough or wealthy enough or talented enough to do anything.
If our churches would develop that kind of can do attitude and to expect God to do far and above anything we can imagine, we can turn the tide of godless humanism that is sweeping our country. It is time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and get busy.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Reflection for January 20, 2010
When the End Comes
In recent years, there has been a fascination with a variety of end time scenarios. A few years ago, the Left Behind series of books was on the best seller list across the county. I recently watched a History Channel program devoted to the importance of the year 2012 on the Mayan calendar. Hollywood has gotten into the act by releasing films dealing with end time scenarios. This fascination with the tend times is not new. History testifies to the fact that there has always been an apocalyptic nerve in mankind.
Christians also look to the future in anticipation of the end times. For them, it will be a time when Christ returns to judge the wrongs of this world and to establish His kingdom of righteousness. Some have devoted their lives to discovering the exact time of these events. For me, they ask the wrong question. Our question should not be when will He come but what will He find me doing when He comes. Scripture gives us clear answers to the later question. Here are three things I believe He should find us doing.
First, we should wait expectantly. When Jesus was taken up into heaven we were left with this promise: “They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:11 NASB). The early Church took this promise seriously. They anticipated his return at any moment. Their belief of his return enabled them to endure the hardship they were subjected to. Their attitude has followed the faith through the centuries. In the bleakest moments this promise has enabled Christian to look to the future with optimism. Today should be no different, because we, too, know that in His time He will return
Second, we should wait patiently. The world views us as being simple minded, when we speak of our “blessed hope,” They scoff at our naiveté. The early church faced the same kind of scoffing. Peter addressed this issue. He wrote, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep all continues just as it was from the beginning of Creation.”(II Peter 3:3,4 NASB). Peter’s reply then is equally sufficient today. He wrote, “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance”(II Peter 3:8, 9 NASB). Peter’s words are equally important for us today, because they remind us that God is not bound by time. His plans are sure and in His time He will bring them to reality.
Third, not only should we watch hopefully and wait patiently, we should work diligently. Once again Peter gives us insight into what we should be doing when Christ returns. He wrote. “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it is serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:7-10 NASB) God will not be happy with those who chose to hide themselves and to withdraw from the work that is to be done before His return. Rather than panicking, Christians should be demonstrating God’s love and serving each other with the gifts that He has given them. In doing so, they will help give hope to their little part of the world.
There you have it, a really simple formula for finding hope in difficult times. Watch hopefully, wait patiently and work diligently while you wait for His return. If we will implement these three things, when we do see Jesus, He will say “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
In recent years, there has been a fascination with a variety of end time scenarios. A few years ago, the Left Behind series of books was on the best seller list across the county. I recently watched a History Channel program devoted to the importance of the year 2012 on the Mayan calendar. Hollywood has gotten into the act by releasing films dealing with end time scenarios. This fascination with the tend times is not new. History testifies to the fact that there has always been an apocalyptic nerve in mankind.
Christians also look to the future in anticipation of the end times. For them, it will be a time when Christ returns to judge the wrongs of this world and to establish His kingdom of righteousness. Some have devoted their lives to discovering the exact time of these events. For me, they ask the wrong question. Our question should not be when will He come but what will He find me doing when He comes. Scripture gives us clear answers to the later question. Here are three things I believe He should find us doing.
First, we should wait expectantly. When Jesus was taken up into heaven we were left with this promise: “They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:11 NASB). The early Church took this promise seriously. They anticipated his return at any moment. Their belief of his return enabled them to endure the hardship they were subjected to. Their attitude has followed the faith through the centuries. In the bleakest moments this promise has enabled Christian to look to the future with optimism. Today should be no different, because we, too, know that in His time He will return
Second, we should wait patiently. The world views us as being simple minded, when we speak of our “blessed hope,” They scoff at our naiveté. The early church faced the same kind of scoffing. Peter addressed this issue. He wrote, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep all continues just as it was from the beginning of Creation.”(II Peter 3:3,4 NASB). Peter’s reply then is equally sufficient today. He wrote, “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance”(II Peter 3:8, 9 NASB). Peter’s words are equally important for us today, because they remind us that God is not bound by time. His plans are sure and in His time He will bring them to reality.
Third, not only should we watch hopefully and wait patiently, we should work diligently. Once again Peter gives us insight into what we should be doing when Christ returns. He wrote. “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it is serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:7-10 NASB) God will not be happy with those who chose to hide themselves and to withdraw from the work that is to be done before His return. Rather than panicking, Christians should be demonstrating God’s love and serving each other with the gifts that He has given them. In doing so, they will help give hope to their little part of the world.
There you have it, a really simple formula for finding hope in difficult times. Watch hopefully, wait patiently and work diligently while you wait for His return. If we will implement these three things, when we do see Jesus, He will say “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Reflection for January 14, 2010
The Reality of Consequences
When I was in high school many years ago, corporal punishment was still acceptable. If you were an athlete, the punishment was normally carried out by one of the coaches. Anytime I showed up in the gym area at an unscheduled time, the coach on duty knew I had been sent for disciplinary reasons. He would take out the paddle and say, “Bend over!” As I recollect, I heard those two words frequently.
It never occurred to me to become angry, because I knew that I was guilty. Being guilty, the right thing to do was to accept the consequences of my actions. This was not a noble attitude on my part. It was a truth learned growing up in the fifties. The truth was that our choices always come with consequences.
It seems to me that as a whole, modern society has failed to teach this important truth. Instead, it teaches that one should accept responsibility only when it is absolutely necessary. It also teaches that once responsibility has been accepted, the individual should expect forgiveness without consequences. We see these lessons taught regularly in the public square as well known people are forced to confess to their misconduct. Once they have come clean, they expect to continue life without having to own the consequences of their actions.
It would be nice if it was that easy, but it is not. While sincere apology may warrant forgiveness, it does not guarantee that the events set in motion by bad choices will not continue to move forward to the final consequences of our actions. In fact, when one continually attempts to avoid the consequences of their deeds, he often makes matters worse.
Scripture teaches us that forgiveness is available to each one of us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. His death and resurrection has provided a means of pardon for all those who receive Him into their life. The pardon He provides sets one free from the penalty of sin, which is eternal separation from God. However, this does not mean that one is relieved of all the consequences of his prior actions. For example, if someone chooses to live a sexually promiscuous lifestyle and as a result contracts a sexually transmitted disease, he can sincerely confess his failure before God and be completely forgiven, but this does not mean that he will not have to continue to deal with the disease that has been contracted.
Scripture tells us, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap”(Galatians 6:7 NASB). Experience validates this timeless scriptural truth. Therefore, it is important that we begin to teach our children this truth early in life. If they do not learn this truth from childhood experiences, they will be forced to learn it as adults and this can be many times more painful.
When I was in high school many years ago, corporal punishment was still acceptable. If you were an athlete, the punishment was normally carried out by one of the coaches. Anytime I showed up in the gym area at an unscheduled time, the coach on duty knew I had been sent for disciplinary reasons. He would take out the paddle and say, “Bend over!” As I recollect, I heard those two words frequently.
It never occurred to me to become angry, because I knew that I was guilty. Being guilty, the right thing to do was to accept the consequences of my actions. This was not a noble attitude on my part. It was a truth learned growing up in the fifties. The truth was that our choices always come with consequences.
It seems to me that as a whole, modern society has failed to teach this important truth. Instead, it teaches that one should accept responsibility only when it is absolutely necessary. It also teaches that once responsibility has been accepted, the individual should expect forgiveness without consequences. We see these lessons taught regularly in the public square as well known people are forced to confess to their misconduct. Once they have come clean, they expect to continue life without having to own the consequences of their actions.
It would be nice if it was that easy, but it is not. While sincere apology may warrant forgiveness, it does not guarantee that the events set in motion by bad choices will not continue to move forward to the final consequences of our actions. In fact, when one continually attempts to avoid the consequences of their deeds, he often makes matters worse.
Scripture teaches us that forgiveness is available to each one of us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. His death and resurrection has provided a means of pardon for all those who receive Him into their life. The pardon He provides sets one free from the penalty of sin, which is eternal separation from God. However, this does not mean that one is relieved of all the consequences of his prior actions. For example, if someone chooses to live a sexually promiscuous lifestyle and as a result contracts a sexually transmitted disease, he can sincerely confess his failure before God and be completely forgiven, but this does not mean that he will not have to continue to deal with the disease that has been contracted.
Scripture tells us, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap”(Galatians 6:7 NASB). Experience validates this timeless scriptural truth. Therefore, it is important that we begin to teach our children this truth early in life. If they do not learn this truth from childhood experiences, they will be forced to learn it as adults and this can be many times more painful.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Reflections for January 7, 2009
"A 'Best Is Yet To Come' Attitude"
There are many parallels that can be drawn between life and competitive athletics. One of the most obvious is that in athletics you do not have the time to throw a pity party for past failures or the luxury of gloating over past successes. If you do either, you will fail to reach your full potential in the present and future. You can learn from past mistakes and you can build upon past success but you must always keep your focus on the future.
Life is the same way. We all make mistakes. No one walks through life without ever experiencing failure. The difference comes in how people respond to their failures. The individuals who learn from their mistakes and become determined to do better in the future are the ones who find the most fulfillment in life. John Maxwell’s book, Failing Forward, reports on the part that failure played in the ultimate success of many people. All of the people he wrote about shared one trait. They viewed their failures as learning experiences that could help them be better prepared for the future. They agreed that failing did not make you a failure but accepting failure did.
The Apostle Paul recognized that he was not perfect but he was determined to learn from past mistakes and to move forward. In Philippians he wrote, “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus’”(Philippians 4:12-14 NASB).
Like Paul, we must recognize our imperfection, deal with it and move beyond it. Just as athletes must continually prepare for the next game, Christians must continually prepare for the next phase of their lives. Each year, rather than dwelling on past failures, we need to see the New Year as a time for moving beyond past failures. Like Paul, it is a time for us to acknowledge our imperfections without accepting them as being final. It is time to commit ourselves to pressing forward to becoming all that Christ has for us to become. There will times when we will fail but these failures need not be more than bumps in the road, if we will keep our focus on the calling of Christ in our lives.
My prayer for all of us is that we will look to the future with a “the best is yet to come” attitude, expecting 2009 to be a great year.
There are many parallels that can be drawn between life and competitive athletics. One of the most obvious is that in athletics you do not have the time to throw a pity party for past failures or the luxury of gloating over past successes. If you do either, you will fail to reach your full potential in the present and future. You can learn from past mistakes and you can build upon past success but you must always keep your focus on the future.
Life is the same way. We all make mistakes. No one walks through life without ever experiencing failure. The difference comes in how people respond to their failures. The individuals who learn from their mistakes and become determined to do better in the future are the ones who find the most fulfillment in life. John Maxwell’s book, Failing Forward, reports on the part that failure played in the ultimate success of many people. All of the people he wrote about shared one trait. They viewed their failures as learning experiences that could help them be better prepared for the future. They agreed that failing did not make you a failure but accepting failure did.
The Apostle Paul recognized that he was not perfect but he was determined to learn from past mistakes and to move forward. In Philippians he wrote, “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus’”(Philippians 4:12-14 NASB).
Like Paul, we must recognize our imperfection, deal with it and move beyond it. Just as athletes must continually prepare for the next game, Christians must continually prepare for the next phase of their lives. Each year, rather than dwelling on past failures, we need to see the New Year as a time for moving beyond past failures. Like Paul, it is a time for us to acknowledge our imperfections without accepting them as being final. It is time to commit ourselves to pressing forward to becoming all that Christ has for us to become. There will times when we will fail but these failures need not be more than bumps in the road, if we will keep our focus on the calling of Christ in our lives.
My prayer for all of us is that we will look to the future with a “the best is yet to come” attitude, expecting 2009 to be a great year.
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