Knowledge and Mastery

1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

A thought struck me recently; the differences (in most circumstances) between many of us has less to do with revelation of truths, but more to do with a complete application of them. I think in most cases that we all have a decent amount of revelation on the right and wrong, black and white, left and right. What I have come to believe is that knowledge itself is not the sticking point. The issue is "mastery".

Paul is talking about elite athletes in this section of Scripture. Drawing a comparison between how the life of an athlete is constrained for the cause of their performance. It isn't about knowing the rules of the game. It is about going beyond the rules and becoming greater than average. The very greatest of competitors will devote hours upon hours in the fine tuning of their craft. Countless repetitions train muscles and minds to react with little effort when the heat of battle arrives. They become instantly reactive, rather than needing to debate even for a split second. Baseballs seem to travel slower towards the finest hitters. Basketball rims seem as wide as the ocean to shooters that are "in the zone". Football players see the game slow down and become more like chess. The competition becomes an exercise in anticipation rather than reaction.

Many athletes hire personal chefs because they have dietary restrictions. Others have routines they follow so as to keep their minds sharp. All of this in order to obtain a title of G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).

In the Christian arena, we generally understand the rules of the game. Salvation, prayer, giving, and the rest are principles that are conveyed by almost every pulpit in the land. But there are many who will say that just being in the game is enough. To use an analogy, they are glad to sign a minimum contract so that they can say "I played in the League!". But there are others who, for the sake of a Spiritual crown, choose to be "temperate" (or restricted) in their lifestyles. They are not satisfied with an "also ran" status. They are not content with average or acceptable. They are intent on being the greatest of disciples. But here is the rub: greatness with God requires the greatest restraint.


Luke 22
 24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

To this I say, Lord, help me to serve and to be humble. To restrict my own desires for yours. To become a master of these Truths and not just a man with head knowledge. God, help me to pay the price in order to be approved and not just accepted.

The Great Divide

Matthew 10
 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

It is amazing to me that there are so many different views concerning the particulars of Christianity. Religion in general is such a personal subject, that we all get downright defensive about our beliefs and paradigms. I recently lost a friend due to these same principles. We just had major fundamental differences. Oil and water can't mix. Darkness and light can't coexist. Eventually, no matter how much affection one may have for a person, on the deepest level there will be a breakdown if there is not an agreement on important issues.

I have preached and taught that unity is what God truly blesses. He shows us that unity, whether godly or not, is a powerful force throughout Scripture. The tower of Babel, in the O.T. and the crowd shouting "Crucify Him!" in the N.T. come straight to mind. So unity cannot be the goal. Agreement with Scripture must be paramount in our hearts.

I have found that there is rarely, if ever, an argument in which both sides are right. There is almost always a correct view and an incorrect. No one wants to realize or acknowledge that they are the one who is wrong. So it winds up with a stalemate. Even though one may have proven a point, the other is unwilling to concede and remains belligerent. I think this is what Jesus was referring to in the Scripture above (which is a quotation from Micah 7:6). The Word of God is the only defender of Truth. We must base our entire world view upon the relevant Truths contained in it. But we are so stubborn naturally (at least I am) that we end up in an argument instead of an agreement with the Word.

My thought is, "Lord help me to allow your Word to govern my heart and mind". I don't want to argue my point against Scripture. At the same time, I don't want my relative experiences to taint what Scripture is truly saying. There is only one correct interpretation of Scripture. It is my job to discover and proclaim that. Not to shape "relative truth" , which is an oxymoron, around what I think is right.

Humility towards the Word of God is not just what divides friendships and families, it is what reconciles men to their God. Much more to say on this subject, but I'll save it for a later date. Be blessed!