STAY IN TRAINING

2 Peter 1:3-9
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

A year ago, the top-ranked college football team in America was soundly beaten in a conference championship game. The Oklahoma Sooners lost their bid for an undefeated season and the chance at a clear-cut national championship. The Kansas State Wildcats gained new prestige and respect with their upset victory. Bill Snyder, the K-State coach, praised his team for their tenacity, saying that "they just kept playing. You have to play four quarters against a team like Oklahoma."

While taking nothing away from the Wildcats' convincing win, a sportscaster covering the game noted how difficult it was for Oklahoma to maintain its focus and discipline. "When people keep patting you on the back and telling you how wonderful you are," he said, "it's easy to stop lifting weights and doing all the things you have to do in training to play and win."

If people commend us for our faith and Christian outreach, it's not long before we're tempted to discard some basic spiritual disciplines. But in the locker room of life, "Coach" Peter has a word for us: STAY IN TRAINING! "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).

The key to being effective and productive followers of Jesus is to "possess these qualities in increasing measure" (v.8). The goal is not to arrive, but to keep going; not to possess but to progress. As a friend used to say: "When we think we're green, we'll grow; when we think we're ripe, we'll rot."

A compliment received as encouragement goes to our heart and spurs us on. Kudos received as praise go to our head and tell us to relax. Peter called us to stay alive and grow through fellowship with Jesus each day. "Add to your faith . . . in increasing measure." Stay in training! --Dave McCasland

DESTINATION POINTS

* How can I tell if I'm growing as a Christian?
* What previous spiritual discipline have I relaxed or abandoned?
* Which quality in 2 Peter 1:5-7 will I ask the Lord to build into my life this week?

bottom line: It's a victory to stay in training.

soul journey