Training vs. Trying to be Like Jesus
by JD Senkbile/3enkbile
Here's an excerpt from John Ortberg’s book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted:
There is an immense difference between training to do something and trying to do something.
Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely. This is what the apostle Paul means when he encourages his young protégé Timothy to “train yourself in godliness.” This thought also lies behind his advice to the church at Corinth: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Respecting the distinction between training and merely trying is the key to transformation in every aspect of life. People sometimes think that learning how to play Bach on the keyboard by spending years practicing scales and chord progressions is the “hard” way. The truth is the other way around. Spending years practicing scales is the easy way to learn to play Bach. Imagine sitting down at a grand piano in front of a packed concert hall and having never practiced a moment in your life. That’s the hard way.
…Learning to think, feel, and act like Jesus is at least as demanding as learning to run a marathon or play the piano. For me, this truth brought light to the darkness. For the first time as an adult, I found the notion of following Jesus a real, concrete, tangible possibility. I could do it. Following Jesus simply means learning from him how to arrange my life around activities that enable me to live in the fruit of the Spirit.
Yesterday at our Coram Deo gathering, I said we should start comparing our Christian walks to Michael Jordan shooting jump shots. Besides being genetically gifted, the reason MJ may be the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball is his drive and work ethic outside game time. He made literally thousands of shots a week. Jordan was always focused on the success, not the failure, and he believed that he could be the best ever. What if we lived the Christian life like that? What if we actually believed we could successfully follow Jesus and started from a point of hope rather than failure? It’s right there for the taking, but he isn’t going to do it for us. No, Jesus is too good for that. He calls us to join him in the process (mission).
Here's an excerpt from John Ortberg’s book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted:
There is an immense difference between training to do something and trying to do something.
Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely. This is what the apostle Paul means when he encourages his young protégé Timothy to “train yourself in godliness.” This thought also lies behind his advice to the church at Corinth: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Respecting the distinction between training and merely trying is the key to transformation in every aspect of life. People sometimes think that learning how to play Bach on the keyboard by spending years practicing scales and chord progressions is the “hard” way. The truth is the other way around. Spending years practicing scales is the easy way to learn to play Bach. Imagine sitting down at a grand piano in front of a packed concert hall and having never practiced a moment in your life. That’s the hard way.
…Learning to think, feel, and act like Jesus is at least as demanding as learning to run a marathon or play the piano. For me, this truth brought light to the darkness. For the first time as an adult, I found the notion of following Jesus a real, concrete, tangible possibility. I could do it. Following Jesus simply means learning from him how to arrange my life around activities that enable me to live in the fruit of the Spirit.
Yesterday at our Coram Deo gathering, I said we should start comparing our Christian walks to Michael Jordan shooting jump shots. Besides being genetically gifted, the reason MJ may be the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball is his drive and work ethic outside game time. He made literally thousands of shots a week. Jordan was always focused on the success, not the failure, and he believed that he could be the best ever. What if we lived the Christian life like that? What if we actually believed we could successfully follow Jesus and started from a point of hope rather than failure? It’s right there for the taking, but he isn’t going to do it for us. No, Jesus is too good for that. He calls us to join him in the process (mission).
posted by Bob | 3:42 PM
7 Comments:
Bob,
Thats good stuff. I have no other comments about that post but about something else, something I feel is beginning to be a growing problem amongst some of the key people of Coram Deo. I want you to know that I am bringing this to light as a brother. Also, i realize that i am no longer in close community with you all, so it may not be my place to bring this to light, but at the same time, as an outsider, i feel God has given me a unique perspective to shed light on a growing problem that you all may not see because you are too close.
The other day i ran into a girl from your community at the bookstore. For the sake of her protection, we'll say her initials are I.V. And I.V. told me something a little disturbing. She asked if i had seen all the John Frame stuff that was up around your offices. I told her i stopped in last week and saw it all, and mentioned i thought it was a little ridiculous. Thats when I.V. dropped the bombshell. She said you put more pictures of John Frame up in your office. I couldnt believe it. Don't you know that your worship belongs to God, not to a guy with a ginormous melon? I think you really need to take a good look at your heart idols and decide if your God looks like the God of the bible, or if he's beginning to look a little too much like Humpty Dumpty. I have no doubt that Mr. Frame is a great theologian and a Godly man, and i am not saying he does not deserve respect and admiration. But, your Glory belongs to God and no one else.
Patrick,
For it to be idolatry, Dr. Frame would have to be always shown in a positive light in our caricatures. However, this week's latest addition to the office wall, which depicts a UFC championship bout between Jerry Falwell and John Frame, shows Falwell laying a roundhouse kick to Frame's head. That's just to show that, while we have great respect for the good Doctor, we also think Falwell could probably take him in a fight.
Thanks for your concern and your brotherly confrontation.
Bob, the true question for you is this:
Could Frame take Chuck Norris in a fight?
I think not!
:)
hey folks, i posted a comment down on the "holy donuts" discussion. I'd love to hear comments or criticisms.
have a great day.
contrary to popular belief, John Frame has never lost in a fight and he never will. For your information the original "Street Fighter: The Battle for Shadaloo" was based on his days as a seminary prof in California and I first hand saw him take on the tricounty DDR champion and beat her without breaking a sweat.
I suspect Frame would deliver a massively powerful head butt to everyone who took this comment thread so far off topic.
I am worried that JD will come and find me and beat the tar out of me for doing it, Lane. I didnt realize it was his post until after i posted my comment. Sorry JD.
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