What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of this must be done for the strengthening of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:26, NIV)
You can’t escape it. If you want to be a modern golfer, you can’t just play golf. You need gym time—or at least a good stretching and strengthening routine in front of the TV. Golfers these days are athletes.
In truth, though, most of us would prefer to go on doing things just the way we’ve done them. We show up 20 minutes before tee time, hit a few balls to loosen up, stroke a handful of putts, and declare ourselves ready. I could probably contend that I’ve made as many first-hole pars without a warm-up as I’ve made with one, but I know in my golfer’s heart that’s not the way to go!
If we intend to get better at any endeavor, we will not accomplish that mission by doing “more of the same.” This is why we have to be careful when we gather as believers, whether that is in a formal church setting, in a Links Fellowship, or talking out some personal matters with a Christian brother or sister. We have to be careful that what we are doing is strengthening one another and not just adding to the noise.
First, we must avoid carrying our conversational habits from outside the fellowship context into the fellowship context. We really do talk on another level when we speak of the things of God and the counsel of his Word. But when we let our politics or our neighborhood gossip or our me-first golf stories pepper the conversation, we offer nothing different, nothing stronger, than what the world offers.
Second, we must be equally cautious to not to let our “traditions of men” overtake plain biblical doctrine. Any adamant contributions should be made about central matters of the faith rather than peripheral topics.
When we contribute to one another’s lives as believers, we are called to do this purposefully, that we might fortify each other. Let’s be sure that’s what we are doing.
—
Jeff Hopper
May 17, 2013
Copyright 2013 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.