Articles

When you read the apostle Paul’s letters, it’s clear that some of his favorite metaphors and analogies for the Christian life come from the realm of athletics. For example, in Philippians, he speaks of pressing on like a runner toward the goal of knowing Christ (3:14). Near the end of his life, he describes his ministry as one in which he “fought the good fight” and “finished the race” (2 Tim. 4:7). And in 1 Corinthians 9:25–27, Paul draws a parallel—one that is worth our time and attention—between the self-control and discipline needed for both athletic competition and the Christian life.

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In the years of His earthly ministry, Jesus’ primary task was to proclaim God’s word. He also came to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and work wonders, but He Himself was clear about the highest priority: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God … for I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43). At the heart of Christ’s ministry was His role as a teacher. In this, He is the model to all of us who are called to do the same. It is good—and humbling!—for us to learn from the example of Jesus so that we might assess ourselves against it.

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Reconciliation has been a hot word in Christian circles in the past decade, and for good reason. From family feuds and broken marriages to social distrust and outright war, there is a deep need for reconciliation in our world. Many voices are rightly crying out for peace in all sorts of circumstances. But true and lasting reconciliation is difficult to attain, much less maintain, and the tepid ceasefires we do reach often only cement our sense that peace is fragile.

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A true friend is a real treasure. To have someone in whom you can confide, someone who knows the best and worst about you without making you feel like a fool, is to have found something precious. We could all use someone like Jonathan, who strengthened David “in God” (1 Sam. 23:16). We all need someone like Timothy, who was intensely committed to the good of others (Phil. 2:20).

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History, philosophy, and theology all testify that fear and anxiety have always been a significant part of the human experience. Nevertheless, the word anxiety has a contemporary ring to it. We live in an age of anxiety; it is a part of the fabric of modern life. And it is part of the experience of many believers.

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Have you ever considered what pleases God? In Ephesians 5:10, Paul charges his readers with this very task: “Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Jesus Christ is not merely someone to believe in; He is Lord and Master over His people. He has saved us by grace through faith, and He has called us to serve, love, trust, and obey Him (Eph. 2:8–10; James 2:14–26). In other words, we shouldn’t think of faith as a basic package of salvation with optional add-ons for devotion. Part of God’s purpose in salvation is that we will live in a way that is pleasing to our Savior.

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The Christian life is not a series of a few special performances; it is steady persistence for a lifetime. Many of us can produce a burst of enthusiasm now and then. That’s not particularly difficult. The real challenge is to stay the course over the long haul—not a flash in the pan but steady, stable, and persevering in the essentials of maturing faith.

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As Christian families consider what it means to live for the Lord as families, one important question they should ask themselves is this: “What are we known for?”

Within your neighborhood, you may be known for your dog, your mailbox, or the volume of the stereo as you drive home in the evening. Many houses are recognizable by the smell when you walk in the door—and similarly, households have a particular aroma. In Christian households, we hope to find an all-pervading fragrance of love. One of the great evidences of the fact that Jesus Christ is alive from the dead is found in the aroma of the loving lifestyles of Christian families.

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The Christian life is a long obedience in the same direction—more like a marathon than a sprint.¹ It’s not a series of hundred-yard bursts after which you can catch your breath on the grass and rest up until the next one.

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“He said to him, ‘Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.’ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:20–22)

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