Yet then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1, NIV)
When it comes to golf (and likely some other endeavors—but really, who would know?), there are one-way teachers and your-way teachers. What we mean by that is that while one professional will give you the goods based on her single proven method, another will look at your natural swing tendencies and help you develop new strengths based on what you already possess.
Whenever I looked up and down the range, I saw variety at work.The latter method appeals to me. Several years ago, master teacher Jim Hardy made public his two strains of teaching. He trained his cadre of coaches to identify whether their students were one-plane swingers of the club or two-plane swingers. From there, those coaches would offer methodologies to fit the player. His logic made sense to me. After all, whenever I looked up and down the range, I saw variety at work.
But what about when it comes to our faith? After all, there is one God, and it would make sense in his grand mastery that there is one best way for us to practice the matters of faith.
Some would have us believe this to be true, for instance, when it comes to our quiet time. They read in Psalm 5 that David came to the Lord in the morning, so surely the early hours are the most productive spiritually. This suggestion, when adamantly given, can form a sort of new legalism: Things must be done this way or God will not be pleased. And then we read that Jesus prayed late into the night…
Any time we get to thinking we can tighten the bonds around spiritual practices and get everyone doing the same thing, we miss two important matters. First (and definitely foremost) is the freedom we have in Christ. Second, is the recognition of the difference in callings and giftings God has given us and circumstances into which he has placed us.
We can learn much regarding proper balance here from Paul’s words to Timothy, his protégé in ministry. In his first letter, Paul disdained those who were ordering a particular diet as the proper way to practice one’s faith. Yet in his second letter, he urged Timothy toward the discipline of soldiers and athletes because following Christ is serious business.
“Be strong in Christ’s grace” were Paul’s summary words. That is, you have been given freedom; now exercise discipline in living it out.
—
Jeff Hopper
October 27, 2017
Copyright 2017 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
OTHER DEVOTIONS IN THIS SERIES
The Or Series 1: God or No God?
The Or Series 2: Grace or Works?
The Or Series 3: Alone or Together?
The Or Series 4: This Church or That One?
The Or Series 5: Sermons or Scripture?
The Or Series 6: Steady or Spirit-infused?
The Or Series 8: Old Nature or New Nature?
The Or Series 9: For Seekers or Believers?
The Or Series 10: A Statement or a Conversation?