God's Training Program

Every professional sports team has team rules which are part of their training program. The Christian life is a long-distance marathon! As such God has a training program which includes trials, afflictions, hardships. There is no gain without pain! But in God's training program there are certain things we need to do. We need to concentrate on fixing our eyes on Jesus who is the source of our strength, and on right living so as to help weak, struggling Christians on their race. We need to pursue peace with all people and holiness as a positive witness to a watching world! And then we need to be spiritually vigilant, looking our for those in danger of falling short of God's grace. Looking out for those who have a root of bitterness and for the sexually immoral. Looking out too for those who have shallow selfishness, who have no reverence for the things which are sacred. We need to not only look out and care for others, but also examine ourselves to be sure we are living up to God's training rules!