Tag: diligence

Team Work

Dayton Depp

As many of you know, in sports a team has to work together to succeed in the game. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary teamwork is  “work done by a group acting together so that each member does a part that contributes to the efficiency of the whole.” 

Turn with me to Psalms 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For Brethren to dwell together in unity.” Just as team members are unified in the goal of winning, we as Christians should be unified in our efferts to please God and win a home in Heaven. 

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” this verse demonstrates the positive effect we can have on one another. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reads, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” We should be uplifting to each other, and working together we can accomplish more. 

A month ago I had the opportunity to play with the JV soccer team against Monroe County, In that game our team had many assists for our goals. These assists were very important in the game because without them there wouldn’t be a goal.

Romans 12:4-8 teaches, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Just like our team, not every one has the same job- one has to score the goal, someone provides the assist, others provide defense, while the goalie protects the goal.  Not every one has the same position, every one plays a different role. 

Just as a team practices for a winning game. God has provided us with the necessary things to win. 

In Ephisions 6:13-18, Paul says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Just as teams strive to win a championship, we too can win a reward living for God. 

Colossians 3: 23-24 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for  you serve the Lord Christ.”

God wants you on His team!

Zealotry in the Bible: A Biblical Perspective On Passion And Devotion

Saturday’s Column: Brent’s Bent

Look up “zealotry” on Google. What do you see? Google mainly presents definitions from different dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster and Oxford. In a nutshell, these trusted sources say that zealotry is the same thing as fanaticism. It’s concerning. It was fanaticism that resulted in the Holocaust. It does not always follow that zealotry does so. Even though zealotry may be passionate, moral principles still drive it.

To an outsider, zealotry may appear to drive one to extremes. As an example, consider Phineas. When the daughters of Moab enticed the sons of Israel to “play the harlot” with their god, Baal Peor (Numbers 25.1ff), God sent a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites. Phineas taking a spear and driving it through Zimri the Simeonite and Cozbi the Midianite in flagrante delicto is the only thing that calms God’s rage.

What about our example, Jesus? According to John 2.13–17, Jesus made a scourge of cords, flipped tables, and drove the money changers out of the Temple on His first Passover of His public ministry. The followers of Jesus recalled Psalm 69.9, which begins, “For zeal for Your house has consumed me” (NASB1995). Would we accuse our Lord of fanaticism?

Zeal is an intense devotion to a cause or belief, but it doesn’t always mean acting excessively or fanatically. On the other hand, fanaticism is an extreme or irrational devotion to a cause or belief, often to the point of being unable to tolerate different points of view or being willing to do harmful or violent things to promote their ideas.

Zealots can often keep a balanced and nuanced view of their cause or belief, recognizing that there are other valid points of view and that their beliefs are not the only truth. On the other hand, fanatics tend to think that you cannot question their beliefs, and they may not want to or be able to see different points of view.

Zealots may go to extreme lengths to further their cause or belief, but they do so with a sense of moral and ethical responsibility. On the other hand, fanatics may be willing to act unethically or immorally or use violence or fear to get their point across. 

But it’s also important to know that zealotry, like any strong belief, can be harmful when used without knowledge. When someone is passionate about their ignorance, bad things can happen. Think about Saul of Tarsus. Before he became the apostle Paul, he was a zealous church persecutor (Philippians 3.6). So you need a balance of passion and moderation to make positive changes and show agape love.

We must be zealous for the gospel. Peter stated that we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5.29). Do we have the guts to take decisive action when the situation demands it? Our zeal does not cause us to behave as Phineas since we live under the New Covenant. God is reserving His wrath for the sinner (Romans 2.5). God also gave the civil government the sword to punish the evildoer (Romans 13.4). Our mission is to rescue people from the fire (Jude 1.23).

Jesus rebuked the church in Laodicea for not being “hot” or “cold” in their faith. Because they were not fully committed to Him, Jesus said He would reject them. Jesus tells these lukewarm brothers and sisters, “Therefore, be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3.19 NASB1995). If you need to rekindle your zeal, listen to our Lord’s advice and repent your apathy and indifference.

If, on the other hand, you are afraid of being labeled a zealot, remember that you are in good company since Jesus’ contemporaries recognized His zeal. You don’t have to worry about your zeal becoming misplaced fanaticism as long as your diligence allows you to use God’s word competently (2 Timothy 2.15). If you are steadfast in your fellowship with other brethren, they will stir you up to love and good works (Hebrews 10.24–25). And for lingering concerns, God tasks us with casting all our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5.7).

Brent Pollard

The Fruits Of Restoration

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

There is nothing like the satisfaction of completing a task that was especially hard-fought and challenging. But, there was Judah in Ezra’s day in Ezra six after Haggai and Zechariah’s message propels them to the finish line concerning the temple (14). After earlier opposition from their neighbors, Judah is assisted by the most powerful nation on earth “with all diligence” (13). It was not nearly as glorious as the original temple (3:12; Hag. 2:3), but it was rebuilt and available for Judah to use to worship God as before the captivity.

Consider some of the fruits of their obedient, faithful efforts from Ezra 6:13-22. These are the some of the fruits of restoration.

Joy (16,22).

In a world where everybody just wants to be happy, few know genuine joy. The happiness for the people here is so intense and deep-seated because God is the source and reason for it. They celebrated the dedication (16) and Ezra says “the Lord had caused them to rejoice” (22). There is a unique, genuine joy available to those who are seeking to build their lives and religion according to the Lord’s pattern (Rom. 15:13). 

Faithful Worship (17-20).

Following the revealed instructions from God through His leaders, the people were now enabled to dedicate the temple (17), appoint the priests (18), and observe the Passover (19-20). They have returned to the proper place, people, and practice of worship. That is the epitome of restoration. When we submit to the instructions of the New Testament regarding who leads (1 Tim. 2:8,11-12), where we participate (Heb. 10:24-25), and how we worship (cf. Col. 3:16-17), faithful worship, when done in proper spirit, follows (John 4:24). 

Purity (20-21).

The ones who could participate in the Passover were those who had purified themselves. That started with the leadership (19) and extended to the rest of the participants (19-20). It mandated separating from “the impurity of the nations of the land” (20). They could come before God with pure and holy hands (cf. 1 Tim. 2:8). Think about what Peter tells believers: “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). 

Divine Aid (22).

Do your best and try your hardest, but you will fall terribly short without this factor. God’s providence paved the road and opened the door to restoration. The Lord “…had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God.” “The Lord had caused them to rejoice.” One of the fruits of seeking to restore God’s will and ways in our public and private lives today is this assurance. Jesus promises, “I am with you always” (Mat. 28:20). “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you so that we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper…” (Heb. 13:5-6). 

Be body builders, building the Lord’s church the Lord’s way. Let’s go all the way back to the Bible. The end result is a multitude of blessings (Eph. 1:3) like those mentioned in Ezra 6:13-22. 

ROUTINE IS EXTRAORDINARY

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

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Neal Pollard

It was my privilege last week to spend an hour or more visiting in my office with Bill Page, a longtime member at Lehman Avenue. He wanted to tell me about his interest and involvement in athletics, and he brought some pictures (including one of him below) to illustrate his interesting stories. There was a theme to everything this 88-year-old Korean War veteran shared with me. It was about routine.

He spoke of how important routine is in his life. Every day, despite being a widower who lives alone, he follows a strict routine from how and when he gets up to his workout regimen to his social calendar. It is not just that he has a routine, but he feels that it is essential to his functioning well physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. He carries that ethic of keeping a routine into sharing his faith with his neighbors, studying the Bible, and teaching as he is given the opportunity. Though he is modest and unassuming, he has lived anything but a routine life. 

He played college basketball at Georgia Southern (then, Georgia Teachers College). Then, he was a marine who stayed to play in Japan and Korea in the mid-1950s. His civilian career was as a school administrator, where he served in public schools locally in addition to many years working with Christian high schools in Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida. He also maintained his love for sports, coaching basketball. But, as a lifelong member of the church, his routine has almost always included teaching, preaching, and sharing his faith with the non-Christians he has built relationships with.

I could say much more about the great attitude and outlook Bill has, but it’s that commitment to consistency that is so remarkable. What is the road to greatness and achievement? It necessitates a certain amount of talent and knowing what that talent is, but the difference is almost always made by those who have sticktoitiveness. The unwillingness to give up and to keep plugging away is such a difference-maker in success and failure.

Solomon said, “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Prov. 10:4). Likewise, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty” (Prov. 21:5). Again, “In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty” (Prov. 14:23). Over and over, Scripture lauds this ethic of steadfastness. Yet, the area where it is most important is the spiritual (Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 2:15). 

Do you want to be an exceptional Bible student, servant of Christ, person of prayer, spiritual leader, soul winner, etc.? Establish a routine and stay with it. It will lead you to extraordinary results! Thanks for the reminder and the example, Bill!

Bill Page