Are You A Gladiator Or A Spectator?
A former football coach, once commented on the "walk-ons" who showed up each spring to try out for the team. Talent, he observed, was in abundance. Intense passion and desire were not.
And passionate desire is what God longs for in us who would seek to know Him, "Devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God… " (1 Chronicles 22:19a)
In our striving to grow spiritually, Peter tells us to, "make every effort… " "[Apply] all diligence… " "Work hard… " (2 Peter 1:5a ). That is, we are to make constant moral and spiritual progress similar to an army that is steadfastly marching toward its objective: Determined. Progressing. Undaunted.
So, "the Christian life must not be an animated spasm, followed by a chronic inertia." (Moffat) Rather, we are to be resolute in our intention of reaching spiritual maturity.
In our quest, it would help us to keep in mind the fact that "faith is not only a commitment to the promises of God, but also to the demands of Christ." (William Barclay)
A couple of years ago, a famous Pastor had the privilege of leading a 50-year old businessman to Christ. Talk about a man with a passionate desire to know God! The guy attacked the issue of spiritual growth with the ardor of a Roman "gladiator"!
By way of contrast, He recently attempted to help a man who had supposedly recommitted his life to Christ after squandering millions of dollars on women and gambling. Late for the appointment, he declined the offer for assistance, lamely explaining that he just could not get over his habit of chasing women. Sidelined for his lack of passion to follow Jesus, the Christian life for him will probably remain a "spectator" experience.
QUESTION:
Do you have the heart of a gladiator or a spectator? Are you passionately pursuing God? Or are you like most of the people showing up for the tryouts: Talented, but weak in spirit. For talented, but dispassionate walk-ons, participating at the "gladiator" level will remain an unfulfilled dream as they join the ranks of faceless spectators.
Minister Calvin Wyatt /email:cixmo@aol.com /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
A former football coach, once commented on the "walk-ons" who showed up each spring to try out for the team. Talent, he observed, was in abundance. Intense passion and desire were not.
And passionate desire is what God longs for in us who would seek to know Him, "Devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God… " (1 Chronicles 22:19a)
In our striving to grow spiritually, Peter tells us to, "make every effort… " "[Apply] all diligence… " "Work hard… " (2 Peter 1:5a ). That is, we are to make constant moral and spiritual progress similar to an army that is steadfastly marching toward its objective: Determined. Progressing. Undaunted.
So, "the Christian life must not be an animated spasm, followed by a chronic inertia." (Moffat) Rather, we are to be resolute in our intention of reaching spiritual maturity.
In our quest, it would help us to keep in mind the fact that "faith is not only a commitment to the promises of God, but also to the demands of Christ." (William Barclay)
A couple of years ago, a famous Pastor had the privilege of leading a 50-year old businessman to Christ. Talk about a man with a passionate desire to know God! The guy attacked the issue of spiritual growth with the ardor of a Roman "gladiator"!
- Immediately he started studying and memorizing the Scriptures, devouring Christian books, downloading Christian material each morning off the Net, etc., etc.
- Soon he initiated a Bible study with his old college drinking buddies, keen that they too would know the Savior.
By way of contrast, He recently attempted to help a man who had supposedly recommitted his life to Christ after squandering millions of dollars on women and gambling. Late for the appointment, he declined the offer for assistance, lamely explaining that he just could not get over his habit of chasing women. Sidelined for his lack of passion to follow Jesus, the Christian life for him will probably remain a "spectator" experience.
QUESTION:
Do you have the heart of a gladiator or a spectator? Are you passionately pursuing God? Or are you like most of the people showing up for the tryouts: Talented, but weak in spirit. For talented, but dispassionate walk-ons, participating at the "gladiator" level will remain an unfulfilled dream as they join the ranks of faceless spectators.
Minister Calvin Wyatt /email:cixmo@aol.com /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
Empowerment:
Choices
Pressure. The incessant telephone. Deadlines. Unsolvable issues. Perhaps a temptation or two.
Today, as His follower, you and I are faced with choices on how we will respond to the pounding pace and pressure. The demand for decisions. And so I will choose:
I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose to love. Today I will love God and what God loves. (1 Corinthians 16:14)
I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite God to be the God of my circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God. (1 Peter 1:8)
I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live. (Colossians 3:12-14)
I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage. (Ecclesiastes 7:8, 9)
I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God treated me. (Ephesians 4:32)
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today, I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. My children will never fear that their father will not come home. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force; I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself. (Titus 3:1, 2)
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL…
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control. (Titus 1:8)
Choices
Pressure. The incessant telephone. Deadlines. Unsolvable issues. Perhaps a temptation or two.
Today, as His follower, you and I are faced with choices on how we will respond to the pounding pace and pressure. The demand for decisions. And so I will choose:
I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose to love. Today I will love God and what God loves. (1 Corinthians 16:14)
I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite God to be the God of my circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God. (1 Peter 1:8)
I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live. (Colossians 3:12-14)
I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage. (Ecclesiastes 7:8, 9)
I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God treated me. (Ephesians 4:32)
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today, I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. My children will never fear that their father will not come home. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force; I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself. (Titus 3:1, 2)
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL…
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control. (Titus 1:8)
A Clarion Call:
If you have not yet received the Lord Jesus into your life, or you once received Him but backslid, make yourself available of this opportunity and pray this prayer: There is no degree of sin the Lord cannot blot out. Do not postpone, for tomorrow may be too late.
Father I come before you as a sinner (Romans 3:23)
I sincerely repent of my sins (Acts 3:19)
I believe that Jesus died and was resurrected to grant me salvation
(John 3:16)
Today, as I receive Him into my heart by faith, grant me grace,
not to go back to my old sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13)
Thank you Lord for saving me.
