FAITH TRAINING
Sam was a great bird dog. If he pointed to a clump of bushes, there surely was a bird in there. He was much more than just a bird dog. Often we'd share together lazy lunches in an abandoned apple orchard, and the snooze that followed. Late one afternoon, Sam and I became separated. Neither of us was familiar with the area. I called and whistled. No sign of Sam. I had to get back to town for an important appointment. But how could I leave Sam? If he finally came back and I wasn't there, would I lose him for good? Then I remembered a trick an old dog trainer had passed on. I unbuttoned my jacket, and laid it on the ground under the branches of a small bush. I worried all night. But when I returned the next morning there was Sam curled up with his nose under the sleeve of my jacket. He looked up and wagged his tail. His eyes seemed to say, “Where've you been friend? I've been waiting for you all night. But I knew you'd come back." Later I wondered. When I get lost, do I have the trust to look for some part of God's word and curl up in it? To wait patiently, knowing that my Friend will find me if I just have faith in him?
1Tim 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
The Christian life is not so much about trying than it is training. Often we fail in the Christian disciplines because we do not understand this point. We set a goal for ourselves and then try hard to reach them but so often fail. If I were to set a goal for myself to run a marathon tomorrow it would not matter how hard I try – I would not finish it. Why? Not because of a lack of effort but because of a lack of exercise. To run with perseverance the race God has marked out for us requires faith training.
Paul uses the example of physical exercise to illustrate a great spiritual truth. The Greeks put much importance on bodily exercise, because athletic events were of great importance to them. What is most important here, and the lesson that we must learn, is that Christians should put as much effort into the exercise of godliness as these athletes did into the exercise of their bodies. How does a Christian exercise for godliness? This can be seen by studying the athlete.
1. Building Strength –
The athlete builds his muscles through tension. This is done by stressing and straining the muscle until it grows. The Christian exercises his faith. This is done by constantly putting his faith in God. This is done by trusting God for the things that we need...and relying upon Him completely. Doing this strengthens our faith, just as the athlete builds his muscles.
What is faith? When John Paton was translating the Bible for a South Seas island tribe, he discovered that they had no word for trust or faith. One day a native who had been running hard came into the missionary's house, flopped himself in a large chair and said, "It's good to rest my whole weight on this chair." "That's it," said Paton. "I'll translate faith as 'resting one's whole weight on God.'"
Philip Yancey defines faith as: "Believing in advance in something that will only seem logical when seen in reverse."
When I was in University I learned the importance of exercising your faith. After failing miserably at first I decided to begin working out my faith. I and several other students started a small group with a local pastor and called it the heretic’s club and every week we would think up the hardest question we possibly could about the Bible. At first we tiptoed as if we were on thin ice not wanting to break through. Eventually we found that the Bible could take care of itself and there were answers for our questions. I and a few others got involved in an evangelistic program called the 10 Myths of Christianity. We would publicly debate the existence of God and the claims of Christ. Many times I went back to my dorm room confused and found myself debating in my sleep.
In what areas are you exercising your faith? How is it being stretched? When was the last time your faith was really tested?
I remember living on the Doulos and we faced the situation many times. There were times that, unless God miraculously supplied a need we could not meet, that we would be stuck. God never failed to supply that need.
Exercise is seldom fun. That is why it is seldom done. What do you do when you recognize that your walk with the Lord is getting dry and that your faith needs a workout.
As we exercise our faith it grows. The more you test your muscles the more they can handle. The more we see God’s love and mercy in our lives and the deeper we trust Him the greater things He can entrust to us.
When my kids were young we got them into the habit of helping us carry in groceries from the car. They were light at first (a loaf of bread or box of cereal) but as they grew so did the amount they carried. The more they could handle the more they were given and the more they helped.
2. Building Endurance –
Athletes exercise not only to build strength but also endurance. No one just becomes a marathon runner. It is something which requires great discipline and constant attention. Endurance means hanging in there even though everything inside you is telling you to stop. In our Christian walk we need to build endurance as this is not a short walk but a long haul to the finish line. Often we will face trials that will test our resolve. Peter understood this well and the book of 1 Peter has a great deal to say about suffering.
1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Verse 10 really summarizes the whole book. When we face hard times in life it is important to remember that God is a God of all grace. He knows what you can handle.
Peter uses 3 familiar words which he understood very well to encourage those who are facing trials.
a. God … will restore you –
The word restore here is the Greek word KATARTIZO (KATA - according to and ARTIOS - complete or perfect) It means to mend or make perfect.
The meaning of the word is clear, especially for Peter. Peter spent a lot of time as a fisherman mending his nets. In fact this is what he was doing when Jesus first called him.
Matt 4:21 - Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing (mending) their nets
After Peter had denied the Lord 3 times he was back fishing on the lake when Jesus again came and said throw out your nets. Although we are not told it, Peter was probably mending his nets as he was in the boat and had been fishing all night (the net was in the boat at the time as they were able to throw it out immediately). As he was mending the nets Jesus came to mend Peter.
Like a net there are times in our lives when we be torn. When the weight of the world and our sins will tear us in places. Jesus came to Peter and helped to mend his life back together making him strong and useful again for service.
In the early days of the automobile a man's Model-T Ford stalled in the middle of the road. He couldn't get it started no matter how hard he cranked nor how much he tried to advance the spark or adjust things under the hood. Just then a chauffeured limousine pulled up behind him, and a wiry, energetic man stepped out from the back seat and offered his assistance. After tinkering for a few moments the stranger said, "Now try it!" Immediately the engine leaped to life. The well-dressed individual then identified himself as Henry Ford. "I designed and built these cars," he said, "so I know what to do when something goes wrong." God, as our creator knows how to "fix" us when our lives are broken by sin.
Are there any areas of your life could you use a little mending today?
b. make you strong/firm -
The word strong is STHENOO - to strengthen or stand and the word firm is STERIZO - to make stable. Both of these come from the root - HISTEMI - to stand.
Eph 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The word is used by Jesus to Peter:
Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
This is exactly what Peter is now doing! When we suffer often we feel as if we have had the ground pulled out from under us. Everything is in turmoil. Peter had been in this position. When Jesus was put to death everything seemed to be lost. His whole world came crashing down around him. Jesus prayed that through it all his faith would not fail. That when the day of evil came he was able to stand.
There are times in life when we loose our balance. Life can throw things at us that, if we are not on our guard, can knock us off balance. Remember that show American Gladiators? One guy would stand on a pedestal and others would try to knock him off. Are you feeling a little wobbly today? Is there an area of your heart that needs some stability?
c. and steadfast –
The Greek word used here is THEMELIOO (THEMELIOS - foundation) and it means to lay a stable and sure foundation. It is the same word used in
Matt 7:25 - The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
This is similar to the words of Jesus to Peter:
Luke 16:18 - And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
When the storms of life blow and they hit us like a flood it is good to know that we have a firm foundation beneath us and that God himself will anchor us and make us firm.
Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging ocean storm. Seeing the frantic look in her eyes, the man tried unsuccessfully to allay her fears. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, "How can you be so calm?" He stepped back a few feet and drew his sword. Pointing it at her heart, he said, "Are you afraid of this?" Without hesitation she answered, "Of course not!" "Why not?" he inquired. "Because it's in your hand, and you love me too much to hurt me." To this he replied, "I know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He will surely care for us!" The officer was not disturbed because he had put his trust in the Lord.
