When I assisted the coach on my eldest son's soccer team, we had a fun-loving bunch of kids with heaps of energy. Often they were so hyped up during training they were incapable of focusing on simple drills. During coach orientation we were told it was potentially "abusive" to single out a single player for discipline, so if one player was made to run a lap around the ground for messing around the entire team was also required to run. The team did a lot of extra running that year, but I'm not sure they learned the discipline running was intended to teach. Because their energy was often misdirected they didn't play up to their potential.
I have heard Christians (jokingly and seriously) say they have been told to "take another lap" by God because they have not yet learned a necessary lesson. Personally I have never used the analogy, and I find the implications of this perspective concerning. It runs the risk of placing the emphasis on our measuring up to God's standard by our own efforts rather than extolling the grace of God. I have seen many people facing difficult circumstances racking their brains to discover some unknown "lesson" they need to learn so God will change their situation. Again, this sounds a lot like man making himself central rather than God. This view places the focus on me learning the lesson rather than the grace of God to provide a lesson at all.
During our earthly pilgrimage God will ensure we learn many lessons, yet we do not learn them all well. When we do learn a lesson, however, we only could do so because God instructed and helped us every step of the way. Consider for a moment why God fed the children of Israel manna for 40 years in the wilderness as it is written in Deuteronomy 8:3: "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD." I ask you: did all the children of Israel who grew up in the wilderness learn the lesson man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God? Hardly. These are the same people Joshua upbraided before his death for carrying the idols worshipped by their fathers into the Promised Land. People who have learned lessons can still repeat their mistakes, but glory to God He is faithful and will still fulfil His Word by His grace.
From beginning to end, it isn't about you or me: we exist only by the grace of God who loves us, teaches, guides, and helps us. Life is all about the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, Jesus Christ the Son of God who gives eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him. As we follow Him we will thankfully learn many lessons along the way because He is a good teacher - not because we are model students. We ought to put forth effort to seek after Jesus and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly. During our walk with Jesus our disobedience demands discipline from a loving Father. People may even be disqualified from service for a season due to rebellion or pride. But it is not about our stellar performance should we be restored - it never was. God uses unworthy sinners to do excellent wonders in His strength, and this should not embolden us to sin. Recognising the grace of God towards us keeps us from even the appearance of sin because the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
It is not about you "learning the lesson." God has far greater than lessons for us as we follow Christ in obedience, for we are graced with His presence. Will there be things God teaches us along the way? Certainly! But they are all given and received by His grace - not because you ran an extra lap.
I have heard Christians (jokingly and seriously) say they have been told to "take another lap" by God because they have not yet learned a necessary lesson. Personally I have never used the analogy, and I find the implications of this perspective concerning. It runs the risk of placing the emphasis on our measuring up to God's standard by our own efforts rather than extolling the grace of God. I have seen many people facing difficult circumstances racking their brains to discover some unknown "lesson" they need to learn so God will change their situation. Again, this sounds a lot like man making himself central rather than God. This view places the focus on me learning the lesson rather than the grace of God to provide a lesson at all.
During our earthly pilgrimage God will ensure we learn many lessons, yet we do not learn them all well. When we do learn a lesson, however, we only could do so because God instructed and helped us every step of the way. Consider for a moment why God fed the children of Israel manna for 40 years in the wilderness as it is written in Deuteronomy 8:3: "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD." I ask you: did all the children of Israel who grew up in the wilderness learn the lesson man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God? Hardly. These are the same people Joshua upbraided before his death for carrying the idols worshipped by their fathers into the Promised Land. People who have learned lessons can still repeat their mistakes, but glory to God He is faithful and will still fulfil His Word by His grace.
From beginning to end, it isn't about you or me: we exist only by the grace of God who loves us, teaches, guides, and helps us. Life is all about the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, Jesus Christ the Son of God who gives eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him. As we follow Him we will thankfully learn many lessons along the way because He is a good teacher - not because we are model students. We ought to put forth effort to seek after Jesus and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly. During our walk with Jesus our disobedience demands discipline from a loving Father. People may even be disqualified from service for a season due to rebellion or pride. But it is not about our stellar performance should we be restored - it never was. God uses unworthy sinners to do excellent wonders in His strength, and this should not embolden us to sin. Recognising the grace of God towards us keeps us from even the appearance of sin because the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
It is not about you "learning the lesson." God has far greater than lessons for us as we follow Christ in obedience, for we are graced with His presence. Will there be things God teaches us along the way? Certainly! But they are all given and received by His grace - not because you ran an extra lap.
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