1 Timothy 4:7-8
How does a person get better at a sport or an instrument?
How does a person do better in school or in their profession? The answer to
both questions is the same – they practice, study, and train to be better.
People that put in the time and the effort will always see the results. It is
no different when it comes to one’s Christian walk.
I. Trying
Hard and Doing Better Doesn’t Work.
·
If I had to guess, I would say that most, if not all Christians, want to
be fully devoted followers of Christ, but need more than that message
to make it a reality.
·
“Try harder” and “Do better” doesn’t work because no matter how hard one
may try, what needs to be done is not getting done.
II. Training
is the Key to Godliness in the Christian Life.
·
Easy to recite prayers, witness wear, and Scripture bracelets will not
make you an overcomer when temptation comes into your life.
·
True or False on the Theology of Godliness
o There is nothing I can do
to earn my salvation – TRUE
o My salvation is a complete
act of grace on God’s part – TRUE
o Now that I’m saved by no
work of my own, and was imparted grace that wasn’t mine, if God wants me to
overcome this stumbling block in my life, live holy, or withstand temptation,
he’ll zap me to be able to do it without me trying – FALSE
· When it comes to following Jesus, it's not just how hard you try,
it’s how well you train.
·
In any other area of life, it is not enough to show up one day
and try real hard; you actually need to do some training.
·
“Trying hard” will allow you to do some things on some days, but daily practicing
these disciplines, making them become part of your life, sets you on a path to
be in a place with Jesus that you never dreamed would be possible.
