AVOIDING IGNORANCE ROSS SMITH

AVOIDING IGNORANCE                                                                       ROSS SMITH

ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED

The Apostle starts off his dissertation to the church with a blunt introduction, something many would resist and resent today if it was inferred that we qualify.

1 Corinthians 10:1(A)                      FOR I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT!!!

Then in 1 Corinthians 12:1(A) he reiterates to the church, “I do not want you to be MISINFORMED”, so, despite the subjects that follow his advice, there is the clear intention and guidance that we should be fully acquainted with the Word of God in an unambiguous, unequivocal and unmistakable manner.

IF WE ARE IGNORANT, WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

In today’s environment, the Apostle would have been seconded as “The Minister for Education”, but would not have been encumbered by Government budgets, militant unions, gender blending, church and state curriculum, or teacher absenteeism. His concentration on “EDUCATION” was only surpassed by his striving to provide an EXAMPLE, as well as the regular task of “hiring staff”, making tents, getting flogged and travelling around the Greek Islands!!!!

But let us explore what we are to avoid so that we do not qualify as “IGNORANT”.

“IGNORANCE” is the lack of knowledge or education, and is not restricted to areas of structured learning, but to all aspects of our dealing with the life we are to live. Such things as learning to speak, to walk, to read and write, etc

“IGNORANCE” is obviated by “LEARNING” and learning leads to “KNOWING” which is then proven by “EXPERIENCE” and “EXPERIENCE” is actually “UNDERSTANDING”.

Whilst “Ignorance is Bliss” it is also “No Excuse”, according to the Law and so if we want to qualify for the endorsement of the name “Christian” we have to thoroughly acquaint ourselves with the requirements. So, let us see what Paul classified as being “ignorant” included, using only the introductions to each verse.

• 1 Corinthians 10:7        Do not be worshipers of false gods
• 1 Corinthians 10:8        We must not gratify evil desire
• 1 Corinthians 10:9        We should not tempt the Lord
• 1 Corinthians 10:10      Nor discontentedly complain

 

• DO NOT BE WORSHIPERS OF FALSE GODS Idolatry is one thing most people are generally sure they are free from, but as we analyse the structure of idolatry it brings into focus many things that might be accurately construed as such. Not many of us would have “graven images” sitting on the mantle shelf, but we often have idols that are far more invasive of our lives and behaviour, blatantly ensconced on the throne of our hearts, dictating our attitude.

1 Corinthians 10:14                         Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) ANY SORT of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).

Colossians 3:5(B)                              and all GREED AND COVETOUSNESS, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).

1 Samuel 15:23                                 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and STUBBORNNESS IS AS IDOLATRY and teraphim (household good luck images). Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.

So, I must conclude that anything that takes my interest or attracts my attention more than my concentration on the Lord constitutes idolatry. Not just money or possessions, not just ambition or fame, but where “self” or ego is allowed to reside or preside, then I am engaging in idolatry. A worrying suggestion to say the least.

But deeper and more insidious is the sin of “covetousness”, that silent debate in our heart that may never be enunciated, but bubbles along, wanting more than we have or what someone else has. The very fact that we allow these thoughts to percolate indicates that we are ignorant, as we see in;

Hebrews 13:5(A)                              Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]

The Amplified version uses the term “character or moral disposition” whereas other translations use the word “conversation”, and so, the main point to notice is that in every use of “conversation” in the Bible, such as Philippians 1:27 refers not to speech merely, but to conduct. It is illuminating to see how John addresses the subject because he identifies those who are vulnerable or potentially “ignorant” as “LITTLE CHILDREN”

1 John 5:21                                         LITTLE CHILDREN, keep yourselves from IDOLS (false gods)–[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).

Does not this exhortation from Hebrews suggest that if I am DISCONTENT then it is regarded as Idolatry? The Apostle Paul reinforced this principle in the way he lived when he said, “I have learned to be content in whatsoever state I am (Philippians 4:11) The fact that he used the term “LEARNED” infers he was educated in this respect, and that “education” eliminated “Ignorance”.

 

• WE MUST NOT GRATIFY EVIL DESIRE We may think that “Gratifying evil desire” is another deficiency that is irrelevant to our position, categorising us as “Ignorant”, but we would do well to ensure that our whole spectrum of ambition is only for that which satisfies Father, not satisfies us. Have you ever complained that your prayers are not being answered the way you want?

James 4:3                                            [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.

“EVIL DESIRE” is like a noxious weed, it spreads its tentacles into all areas, smothering good intentions and proper practices, affects not only the individual but contaminating the relationship with others, causing “unrest, disharmony, rebellion”, and as we have already seen, “stubbornness” was the genesis of idolatry, so “rebellion” is the sin of witchcraft”

1 Samuel 15:23                                 For REBELLION is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT, and stubbornness is as idolatry.

James 3:14  and 16                          But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry,  selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.

Verse 16                                               For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.

Philippians calls out “EVIL DESIRE” as “FACTIONAL MOTIVES” and proceeds to enunciate the characteristics of such, and what a compendium it comprises, “contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance”.

Are we “IGNORANT” of these things lurking in some dark recess of our subconscious, just waiting to break out when the occasion arises, and clearly advertising just how “ignorant I am”? Contention is an everyday occurrence in the workplace, people vying for either position, reward, recognition, vindication or some other equally corrosive attitude. Has not our Government provided a stark and graphic example of “Contention”?

Galatians continues to alert us to the inappropriateness of such attitude and behaviour and the list is equally as disconcerting,

Galatians 5:19-20                             Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are “immorality, impurity, indecency,  Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies”,  (Gal 5:19-20)

Paul has been gentle in calling them “PRACTICES OF THE FLESH” and probably he is generalising because not all of the above would we expect to find in those who claim Jesus as Lord. But it behoves us to have a good clear look at these patterns, even just the one, “PECULIAR OPINIONS”, as I am sure we would encounter, often is projected such as “IGNORANCE”.

 

• WE SHOULD NOT TEMPT THE LORD. One of the ways we tempt the Lord is by our PRESUMPTION, we assume so many things and take so many things for granted that Father is supplanted by our impositions of His providence. 1 Corinthians 10:9 uses the expression “EXPLOIT HIS GOODNESS”.

We saw how satan tried to tempt the Lord on several occasions, but His rebuttal was to cite the irrefutable Word of God and to expose the enemy to God’s searchlight, exposing his cunning and guile. Likewise, the Israelites were guilty of the same sort of behaviour but see how the saga is phrased.

The people were contending with Moses, not realising that in so doing they were contravening the providence that Father had showered upon them thus far. It is contingent upon us to be aware that when we cavil with God’s recognised authorities, those w

Exodus 17:2                                        Therefore, the people contended with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why do you find fault with me? Why do you tempt the Lord and try His patience?

When we have a problem it is much easier to blame someone than to think through the problem carefully and spiritually and examine our motives. Often, we are inclined to place the blame on God, assuming that He has ignored us, abandoned us, refused us etc because we have been asking for things that do not fit into God’s plan, we have been asking amiss. (James 4:3)

It is important how we pray, and for what we pray, so often we pray “FOR” people when we should pray “ABOUT” people. It is only as we have the mind of Christ that we can pray for people when the normal circumstances and God’s providence are at play, for their benefit. Likewise, many people are always seeking a “sign” or a miracle, and the only sign we need is the evidence of fruit in both our life and in those we care about.

Galatians 6:7                                      Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.

“Tempting God” is really an indication of doubt because we are not satisfied with the circumstances or environment we are found in. When we are able to begin to grasp His “Inconceivable Greatness” then we will never be in any doubt as to Fathers goodness, providence, purpose, our whole life will be spent bringing Him the glory, not giving us our way

 

• “NOR DISCONTENTEDLY COMPLAIN”

Numbers 21:4-5(A)                          And they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom, and the people became impatient (depressed, much discouraged), because [of the trials] of the way. V 5(A) And the people spoke against God and against Moses,

When we complain about anything it is an indication of the expression of grievance or resentment, and as we are prone to find fault in many areas, we also become competent in expressing our dissatisfaction. And as we see in Numbers 21 the Israelites had fine-tuned this ability despite the providences of God on their behalf in so many ways. The consequences were rather dire because these people did not recognize Moses as the nominated representative of God.

1 Corinthians 10:9-10                     We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did–and were killed by poisonous serpents; [Num_21:5-6] Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did–and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).

We must come to the conclusion that any complaint we make is unacceptable in the sight of God because we are actually dissatisfied with the circumstances that Father has either allowed or produced. I am sure we feel that our objections are legitimate but if we view them in the light of our responsibility before God, we will see that we have not learned the secret the Apostle postulated: –

Philippians 4:12                                I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I HAVE LEARNED IN ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES THE SECRET OF FACING EVERY SITUATION, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

This degree of awareness will save us many heartaches, not only in this life but will also contribute to our being satisfactory to God enabling our progress into our eternal destiny. The Israelites suffered death for their misdemeanours, and so we also face spiritual death if we persist in our selfish and demanding pursuits.

Complaint often leads to the intensely carcinogenic scourge of “Resentment” which destroys not only the perpetrator but often many that are exposed to the vitriol of this habit, and it does become a habit. Have you ever heard the expression, “he is a born whinger”?

The greatest inhibitor to our complaining is to have that continual awareness that firstly, we are probably not able to change the circumstance, secondly, that the incident is all in Gods providence despite appearing unsavoury to us, and thirdly, realising that we are registering our skill in Father’s diary as, “tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness“ (1 Corinthians 10-9)

How would we have been as “disciples” in Paul’s day when he issued such instructions as those in Philippians 2, where he has not only railed against complaining but also categorized it with double-mindedness when stating “questioning and doubting”

Philippians 2:14                                Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

One of the giants of wisdom in the Bible is Job, his story is both excruciating and then thrilling, but he has recognized one great truth in the Old Testament record, that we have also seen to be carried through to the New Testament record, that complaint is “SIN” or as he calls it, “iniquity”.

This brings sharply into focus scripture like “he that is without sin cast the first stone”, for although we may claim a certain degree of righteousness, we muddy and contaminate the matter by clearly engaging in sinful behaviour every time we complain. No longer can we ignore the call for imitating the Apostle Paul’s life, or patterning ourselves on other biblical characters who, despite the hostility of their environment were not prepared to complain as they appreciated the consequences.

Job 36:21                                             Take heed, turn not to iniquity, for this [the iniquity of complaining against God] you have chosen rather than [submission in] affliction.

The whole purpose of this study was “FOR I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT (1 Corinthians 10:1) but that we should be the product of the light that has shone into our hearts.

2 Corinthians 4:6                              For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

SELAH

SPIRITUAL GYMNASIUM ROSS SMITH

SPIRITUAL GYMNASIUM                                                                                    ROSS SMITH

ALL REFERENCES ARE FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED

Hebrews 12:11                                  For the time being no DISCIPLINE brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; BUT AFTERWARDS it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been TRAINED by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness–in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].

Our concept of “DISCIPLINE” is generally related to correction of behaviour or attitude, involving some painful repercussions for where we have been disorderly in some fashion. But “DISCIPLINE” is used in far broader terms when we consider that education is, in fact, the development of a particular ability, or as it is identified, a “DISCIPLINE”, or a branch of knowledge.

Now, this knowledge does not always comprise only mental agility but also applies in the physical dimension, that is, training to improve strength or self-control. It consists of training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behaviour, especially training that produces moral, mental or physical improvement.

Hebrews 12:11 has brought the subject into the spotlight by proclaiming that “DISCIPLINE” requires the expenditure of effort. We can relate it to the long hours of intense study for an academic qualification, or the pain of developing self-control, or the extraordinary physical exertion involved in gaining proficiency in some athletic ability. It, “DISCIPLINE”, “seems grievous and painful”, but AFTERWARDS”, a rather obscure time frame to say the least, but promises that if we put in the hard yards then there will be a rewarding result.

There are, however, those who would like to be qualified in some particular discipline but fail to apply the necessary concentration to get through the painful or grievous part, and so at the end of the day we see there has been an exclusion, it is only for “those who have been trained”.

Today there is much emphasis on physical exercise, health clubs abound in every city, exercise machines are advertised far and wide for use in the home, fun runs and marathons are regarded as a badge of honour, and the elderly are encouraged to lift weights and go to the gym to extend their longevity.

Of course, all of this is to no avail if we fail to nourish ourselves properly, so any “DISCIPLINE” demands proper nutrition, no matter what the field, it ranks highly as part of “TRAINING”.

But the purpose of this study is to alert us to the importance of enrolment in a SPIRITUAL GYMNASIUM, where the “exercise” is laid out in the Word of God as to the extent and type. Timothy alerts us to make sure we do not have an imbalance, conceding that we may get some benefit from the physical training, but how significantly advantageous is training in the spiritual realm.

1 Timothy 4:8                                    For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but GODLINESS (SPIRITUAL TRAINING) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

“TRAINED”          Depending on the context  used, we often choose to ignore the technical nature of the term. We train dogs, and hopefully children, but we also train our climbing roses. And so, the dictionary definition says, “shaped, conditioned, disciplined”, it tends to be a generalisation.

“Trainable” infers “teachable”, and that is, we are made proficient by both instruction and practice/experience. To “train” is to prepare whether it be as an athlete for a contest, or a sequential ordered set of things, or events or ideas, or train of thought.

And so, Hebrews 12:11 begins to take on greater depth and intensity of meaning than we may have previously attributed. The first four words in AMPLIFIED version are, “for the time being”. ESV says, “for the moment” and BBE says “at the time”.

So, at this particular point in time, like today, or even this week is what the writer was saying, and the conclusion we must make is that whatever has transpired, “at the time”, may have been unpleasant, objectionable, perverse, and the translation in (CRV) “we don’t enjoy discipline (training) when we get it, it is painful”.

It is generally unacceptable for us to try and discipline other people’s children, we don’t have that right, it is reserved for “parents”. (Hebrews 12:7) and verse 8 indicates likewise, that if we are children of our Father, we are not exempt from training, and if we reject the training, by complaining, resenting, hiding, pretending, then we are illegitimate, or not under Father’s providential hand, we are divorcing or denouncing our heritage.

But this highlights another point, although this “event” is “for the time being”, it is only part the overall plan. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “every Scripture is God breathed” and therefore it is not surprising that when we study the Word there will be “new events”, “new disciplines”, encouragements”, and directions

The incontrovertible testimony of the apostle Paul predicates what can transpire without discipline.

1 Corinthians 9:27                            BUT [LIKE A BOXER] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

How did the Apostle go about this “training”? He sets it out in,

Act 24:16                                             Therefore I ALWAYS EXERCISE and DISCIPLINE MYSELF [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavouring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.

So not only do we read the manual, we apply the principles. 1 Timothy 4:8 gives a graphic example of priority, and whilst acknowledging the prowess of the natural athlete, focuses the glare of the spotlight on what is “REAL TRAINING”. The Scripture bears repeating.

1 Timothy 4:8                                    For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but GODLINESS (SPIRITUAL TRAINING) IS USEFUL AND OF VALUE IN EVERYTHING AND IN EVERY WAY, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

Training has to be perpetual if we want to maintain the physique we develop, both naturally and spiritually, but the evidence has to be there. The athlete always keeps in mind their resulting “Personal Best” result, but only as a benchmark to surpass. When they do so, there is a moment of satisfaction in their improvement, in their pursuit of a “record”. Hebrews reflects this, “but afterwards”, or after this “time being”, where we were aware of our P/B, but now having passed this “discipline” today, we can reflect for a moment the fact that we can see that  the “record” is achievable.

This respite is called “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” but is only available to “those who have been TRAINED.” (Hebrews 12:11)

In the days when Paul wrote his epistle, the Greeks and others paid great attention to physical culture, the development of the muscles, the proportion of the limbs, the production of everything in the body which might be conducive to the soundness and development of manhood. One of the reasons we are so spiritually flabby is that we are caught up in the temporal, the “ME CULTURE”.

The athlete toils to get a gold medal, the spiritually fit get “streets of gold”!!!!

“Godliness” is the worship of God, the fear of God, the appreciation of God, the recognition of God and “His Inconceivable Greatness”, it is an enduring and wealthy source of blessing, comprising the promise both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Its profit is not meagre but great; its benefit is not confined to the body, but value in everything and in every way. It is shared by the body and the soul. It is not restricted to this mortal life, but stretches beyond the grave, and brings its largest reward is in “the life which is to come”.

“It Is the Discipline That Matters”

Acts 24:16                                           Therefore I ALWAYS EXERCISE and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavouring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.

I don’t “ALWAYS EXERCISE” in the natural dimension, I have no ambition to run and jump and work up a sweat that seems to offer nothing in return, I am not vain enough to want to flaunt some brawn or muscular form, but I certainly do want to exercise is every way possible to become what Father requires.

This means that I have to look at the whole spectrum of my spiritual anatomy so that I develop each part as complementary to the whole, THERE IS NO POINT IN BEING STRONG IN “KNOWLEDGE” IF I AM WEAK IN “SELF-CONTROL”.

Because I am not familiar with what is involved in a natural exercise program I decided to Google for some assistance, only to find that Google had 43.2 million articles on the subject. Just some pointers so we can identify what a “SPIRITUAL GYMNASIUM” protocol should include compared with the natural.

Google says, “An effective natural exercise programme should include the following elements:

• Aerobic exercise
• Resistance training (weight training)
• Flexibility (stretching)
• Proper nutrition”

Aerobic activities include: walking, running, hiking, cycling, swimming, aerobic dances, rope skipping, rowing, stair climbing, and endurance exercises. Think of the “God breathed” Word of God as aerobic activity.

Resistance training is important to enhance muscle strength, to increase muscular endurance, to maintain fat-free mass and to maintain bone-mineral density. Think of God’s complete armor, that you may be able to RESIST and stand your ground on the evil day .

Stretching will:  increase flexibility, maintain the range of motion for muscles and joints, prepare tendons and muscles for the upcoming exercise, help prevent injuries due to inflexibility. Think of The Whole Body  (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied.

Nutrition contributes to “You are what you eat.” Your body burns fats in a different way than carbohydrates and proteins. You will achieve your fitness goals easier with a balanced diet and the correct eating pattern. Think of  solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained .

In case you are not able to identify areas in which you can properly “EXERCISE”, the Word of God has plenty of suggestions. We realise that it is not enough just to exercise in one area, each one of over 650 muscles in our body contribute to our ability to function. That is why the bible says in Ephesians 4:16, “the whole body ….  is working properly in all its functions”. Here are some areas for “exercise”;

2 Peter 1:5-7      Seven different disciplines requiring exercise  just in Peter

                                                                Faith

Virtue

Knowledge

Self-control

Steadfastness

Godliness

Brotherly affection

More areas for exercise:

Proverbs 5:2                       Proper discrimination and discretion

Colossians 1:11                  Every kind of endurance and patience perseverance and forbearance

Hebrews 5:2                       Gentleness and forbearance

Hebrews 12:15                  Foresight

From the above there are sufficient areas of “skill” that we can choose from and develop, depending upon where we see our spiritual physique is in need of attention, and it will be useful as this “exercise program” is implemented to keep a journal of what lessons we learned and what progress we make. Sometimes the same exercise has to be repeated to maintain the fitness level.

How does all this relate to our spiritual fitness? Father set the pace for the aerobic component way back, firstly when He “spoke”, and the word was created, then secondly He “breathed” life into Adam, Genesis 2:7) and thirdly and very appropriately for our benefit, He gave us His Word, every part of which is “GOD BREATHED.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17                           EVERY SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED (given by His inspiration) (I like to call it “His Respiration”   …   comments mine) and PROFITABLE for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] FOR TRAINING in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), SO THAT the man of God may be COMPLETE AND PROFICIENT, WELL FITTED AND THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.

And that is just the “AEROBIC” aspect, with Timothy covering twelve (12) different aspects of our spiritual anatomy, and specifying that it is not just the theoretical aspects, but for “TRAINING.”

The outcome of this aspect of our experience in God comes from the apodosis, “SO THAT”, and does the description make for one desirable result?

 COMPLETE,

PROFICIENT,

WELL FITTED,

THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED,

GOOD WORK.

RESISTANCE TRAINING is also a part of our spiritual fitness.

Ephesians 6:13                                  Therefore put on God’s complete armour, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO RESIST AND STAND YOUR GROUND on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], (all that is involved in developing spiritual fitness   …   comments mine) to stand [firmly in your place].

“God’s armour” is very different to the garb worn by the athletic type, in fact in historic Greece when the Olympic Games were first held, the athletes were generally naked. Different also to the popular “Lycra” now flaunted so that we try and advertise that we are “fitness devotees”. God’s armour has to be complete for the purpose “THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO RESIST”.

In this era of the lateness of time, resistance training is more and more relevant and necessary, the enemy is becoming bolder and more aggressive and so our adoption of “resistance training” needs to be up to date and functioning.

James 4:7                                            So be subject to God. RESIST THE DEVIL [STAND FIRM AGAINST HIM], and he will flee from you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 is another area worth exploring in our practice of “Resistance Training” and is recommended reading and application. (no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance)

STRETCHING is not only useful to the athlete to develop and assist in fitness, but the Apostle Paul describes in detail what it is like to be stretched and speaks from experience. 2 Corinthians 6 is extensive in describing what Paul experienced in his stretching. But Father will not “stretch” us beyond what we can handle but certainly does test us. Look what Paul says and then reflect if our circumstances are at all “stretching”.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10                        We put no obstruction in anybody’s way [we give no offense in anything], SO THAT no fault may be found and [our] ministry blamed and discredited. (Or, so that we can be seen to be totally fit and suited by an extensive “stretching” program   …   comments mine)  But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities, In beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless watching, hunger; By innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, longsuffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love; By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]; Amid honour and dishonour; in defaming and evil report and in praise and good report. [We are branded] as deceivers (impostors), and [yet vindicated as] truthful and honest. [We are treated] as unknown and ignored [by the world], and [yet we are] well-known and recognized [by God and His people]; as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed; As grieved and mourning, yet [we are] always rejoicing; as poor [ourselves, yet] bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, and [yet in reality] possessing all things.

Job was another “saint” who knew what it meant to be stretched, firstly he was aggressively molested by the devil, secondly outrageously ridiculed by his friends, then totally bankrupted by the forces of evil not only of his wealth but also his family, his very physical being marauded by disease. From the dizzy heights of being highly respected by the whole city as portrayed in Job 29:7-17, to lying in ashes covered in boils. Job recognised the stretching process he was passing through consisted of circumstances allowed by God, and his response is priceless.

Job 23:10                                             BUT HE KNOWS THE WAY that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. WHEN HE HAS TRIED ME, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous].

I do not expect that I will be called upon to evidence the same resilience that Job did because he was such a special trophy for God, but I am expected to see God in everything that takes place and use the lesson and the opportunity to develop my spiritual fitness.

NUTRITION is a subject we have really little need to review, except to say that there are those who still have not qualified in how and why they should develop spiritual nutritional habits in keeping with the recommendations of the “handbook.”

Hebrews 5:12-14                              For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need MILK, not SOLID FOOD. For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! BUT SOLID FOOD is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are TRAINED BY PRACTICE to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

Why do I use these as examples? Well, Peter was very big on exercise, he probably was very fit physically being a sailor and a fisherman, both tasks requiring not only strength but resilience in the environment in which he worked? So, when he gets to pursue that sort of exercise that Timothy spoke about when writing his 2^nd Epistle, in three verses he exhorts us to engage in several different “disciplines” so that we become fully developed, in fact, he nominates seven different exercise patterns.

He starts off verse 5 by offering this advice, “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort”.

The “reason is, that we utilise the “divine power” that Father has provided, for the purpose of being fit enough to, “so that through them we may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed) and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.”

Just as there are numerous physical exercises required to develop certain parts of the natural body, so there are exercises required to develop the spiritual body. Different parts need different attention, and Father took care of this way back when He gifted “personal trainers” for the development of the spiritual body.

Ephesians 4:11-13                            And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] (Spiritual trainers in fact, with ability to develop fitness in the body   …   comments mine) some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), [THAT IT MIGHT DEVELOP] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

Peter followed up on this “development program” in 2 Peter 1:5-7 using two words repeatedly, “EXERCISE and DEVELOP” and we have already named those seven areas where we can become spiritually fit.

• FAITH
• VIRTUE
• KNOWLEDGE
• SELF CONTROL
• STEADFASTNESS
• GODLINESS
• BROTHERLY LOVE

Each one of these characteristics needs development If we are to be true and faithful representatives of the One we call “Our Father.”

Ephesians 4:16                                  For because of Him THE WHOLE BODY (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [WITH POWER ADAPTED TO ITS NEED] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.

SELAH