Good Afternoon Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Something I enjoy doing is lifting weights to workout, to compete, and for my health. One of the individuals on this email distribution, Brian, a great Brother in Christ and friend, is the world record holder in the squat having squatted 1,306 pounds. Yes, you read this right. 1,306 pounds. Mind boggling. Did you know that lifting weights and growing in Christ are similar to one another. I see the puzzled look. What does weightlifting have to do with growing in Jesus Christ? Let’s examine.
If one is competing in powerlifting, the object of training is to grow stronger, to lift more and more. This is called “resistance.” Man “resists” the weight by applying or exerting his force, his muscles, against the weight. This “resistance” is what causes one to grow bigger and stronger. So, what does this have to do with growing in Christ Jesus? Growing in Jesus Christ is absolutely no different than growing stronger in weightlifting. Do you see it yet? Ok, let’s look further.
God, our Father, calls each one of us to grow and become stronger in faith, in righteousness, in love, in joy, in peace, in longsuffering, in gentleness, in goodness, in meekness, and in temperance (self-control). How do we do this? By applying “resistance.” Now you’re really confused. Actually it will become clear with this statement: when you apply the force or resistance of the qualities of God, the fruit of the Spirit, against the weight of satan’s kingdom, you grow! Now you’re asking, “what weight?” Do you wake up with love in your heart every morning? No, you don’t. But you/we choose to resist feelings of anger, hate, scorn, and criticism by applying God’s love against that which is not of God. This is the “resistance” that makes us stronger. When you choose to love over hating, over anger, over scorn, over criticism, you are exercising or applying the force of God, or resistance, against the weight of satan. You are applying the faith of Jesus Christ in you, your resistance, against the weight of satan (Galatians 2:20). When your circumstances don’t seem to be conducive to joy, but you rejoice no matter, your joy grows. When it seems hope is lost but you stand on The Word of God for your situation, regardless of what is occurring in the natural, hope (certainty in the Hebrew) increases. When it appears you cannot tithe because your check just won’t stretch in the natural, but you tithe anyway, your faith increases. I could go on and on, but I believe you get the picture.
While weightlifting produces growth and strength physically, applying the resistance of God’s Word against the weight of satan’s kingdom produces growth and strength Spiritually. This is where II Timothy 2:15 comes into play.
II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing The Word of Truth.
Why does God call us to study His Word? So we can be instant in season and out of season, as Paul states, to apply the faith of The Word, resistance, against the weight of satan’s kingdom. If you don’t know The Word, you’ve lost already. Notice that by not knowing God’s Word and deftly using it against satan’s attacks, you will come into shame. God calls us in The Scriptures to be excellent in all we do as if we’re doing everything for Him, which we are. Anything other than excellence is shameful in The Kingdom of God. This is not meant to condemn by any means. However, God has a standard, and He will not lower the standard for anyone or anything. Jesus performed with excellence. We, too, are to do the same. Why?
II Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Notice verse 17. “Perfect” means “godly mature,” not perfection. Only Jesus was and is perfect. Why are we to be “godly mature?” So we can perform all of the good works God has called us to perform in our time on this earth. To do this, you MUST know The Word of God. In closing, I encourage you to make a quality decision and make The Word of God first and final authority in your life. But you must know The Word in order for it to be your first and final authority. Prove to God you are a workman of excellence and prove to Him what is most important in your heart. Not knowing God’s Word is like playing Russian Roulette with a fully loaded pistol.
Prayer and studying God’s Word is a discipline. Faith is an attitude.
In Christ,
Larry