Monday, May 9, 2011
Today’s Word
Train
“I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem” Acts 26:4
Today’s Reflection
I encourage you to read all of Acts, chapter 26, this week. It is Paul’s third recorded testimony of his conversion. It begins with his reflecting on his childhood, how he was “trained up in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6)
Do you ever feel like your efforts to be a “good Christian” either fail or run out of gas? I suggest you go to Romans 7:14-25 and discover how Paul felt this way. In fact he felt his efforts to be a real follower of Christ were a failure.
I feel this way often. I try, then fall down, try again, then fall down again. It’s a tiring cycle. However, the Bible tends to substitute the word “train” for “try”. Yesterday, mother’s day, our family got together and we were all there except for our oldest son. He was late because he ran from his house to ours. Why? He was training. His run was part of a disciplined practice to prepare him for a competition this summer.
The Christian life doesn’t just happen. Nor can it succeed just by “trying”. Nor is its foundation what I do. The foundation is what Jesus DID for me on the cross. Therefore I am loved and accepted regardless of the quality of my efforts, if I believe. Yet, I enter into the fullness of that acceptance by way of training, habits, practices, routines, practiced ways of thinking and speaking . . . . a way of life, which just like any other, has its own rhythms and habits, but which, just like any other, is formed by those habits, practices and training in them.
What habits of the Christian life define your “training regimen”?
Today’s Prayer
“Father, thank you, thank you, thank you, that in Jesus Christ there is no condemnation for my sin, failures and lack of discipline. Yet Lord, I ask your guidance and practical help in leading me to spiritual practices that work for the kind of person that you made me to be. With your help Lord, I will take whatever next step you lead me to. In the Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen”
Thank you, Jeff. This was to me, a major realization in the past few years. For so long it felt like the message I heard (from many years of churches and reading) was twofold. Knowing Christ died for my sins, but yet hearing that I needed to change my behavior to reflect His work.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between training and trying is yielding. God doesn't try and teach us everything all at once. He is patient with us. He gave us His example through his instruction to us in how we deal with each other as brothers and sisters. We are called to "encourage", "bear up with one another", "gently restore". God, being consistent, isn't asking us to do something contrary to Him. He bears up with us, He encourages us, He will restore us- gently.
When I trained my German Shepard growing up, her response depended on my approach. Patience reaped obedience. Praise reaped trust. Gentleness reaped perseverence. Firmness reaped attention.
We have already been fought for and won, we can rest in His hands and in His timing.