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Guitar_Man Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:8,528 Points:126,470 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jun 16, 2011 4:30:43 AM Ignore Guitar_Man Report Abuse I love golf...I even watch the pros on T.V. sometimes to marvel at their skills! (Only people who've tried golfing can really appreciate how difficult it is.) I have a set of golf clubs...Taylor Mades! (They're not the most expensive ones out there but are pretty good ones.) I also have golf shoes, a nice golf bag, half-a-dozen new golf balls, tees, etc. But I haven't golfed an 18-hole round in, oh, about 8 years. I've gone to the driving range a couple of times with friends more to spend time with them than to enjoy the sport. But since I love the sport and even have the equipment, can I call myself a "golfer"? Should I be giving golf advice to those who golf every weekend and holiday? I love it so much maybe I should even be giving advice to those who are PAID to play the game! (The professionals!) See how silly that sounds? Well, it's, sadly, exactly the state of many who claim to be Christians in America, today. They have the EQUIPMENT (a holy Bible, a basic understanding of Jesus) but they don't PLAY...they are content to be doing what THEY want to do with all they time and just stand on the sidelines while the active Christians are out on the course, playing away. (But they are quick to point out the Christian flaws and to give advise on their swings and how to putt.) Would you call a person standing on the sides of the golf fairways a "golfer"? Nope, you call them "spectators" Spectator: a person who looks on or watches; onlooker; observer. The problem is, Christianity has never been and never WILL be a "spectator sport"...it's a war! We don't spend months and months training a US Marine in hand-to-hand combat and special arms training to let them sit on the sidelines and watch the fight. No, they are sent into the midst of the battle to push back the enemy, to capture the enemy, and, if need be, to KILL the enemy!! (It's ugly, it's bloody, it's terrifying, but it's what a warrior does.) It's time for Christians to BE Christians instead of talking about it. It's time to not be ashamed of saying grace in front of our lost friends and co-workers but caring what Jesus thinks about us more than what people do. Luke 9:23-27 (MSG) Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God." James 4:17 (MSG) In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.

Guitar_Man

Champion Author
Colorado Springs

Posts:8,528
Points:126,470
Joined:Nov 2006

Message Posted: Jun 16, 2011 4:30:43 AM

Ignore Guitar_Man Report Abuse

I love golf...I even watch the pros on T.V. sometimes to marvel at their skills! (Only people who've tried golfing can really appreciate how difficult it is.)

I have a set of golf clubs...Taylor Mades! (They're not the most expensive ones out there but are pretty good ones.) I also have golf shoes, a nice golf bag, half-a-dozen new golf balls, tees, etc.

But I haven't golfed an 18-hole round in, oh, about 8 years. I've gone to the driving range a couple of times with friends more to spend time with them than to enjoy the sport.

But since I love the sport and even have the equipment, can I call myself a "golfer"? Should I be giving golf advice to those who golf every weekend and holiday? I love it so much maybe I should even be giving advice to those who are PAID to play the game! (The professionals!)

See how silly that sounds? Well, it's, sadly, exactly the state of many who claim to be Christians in America, today. They have the EQUIPMENT (a holy Bible, a basic understanding of Jesus) but they don't PLAY...they are content to be doing what THEY want to do with all they time and just stand on the sidelines while the active Christians are out on the course, playing away. (But they are quick to point out the Christian flaws and to give advise on their swings and how to putt.)

Would you call a person standing on the sides of the golf fairways a "golfer"? Nope, you call them "spectators"

Spectator: a person who looks on or watches; onlooker; observer.

The problem is, Christianity has never been and never WILL be a "spectator sport"...it's a war! We don't spend months and months training a US Marine in hand-to-hand combat and special arms training to let them sit on the sidelines and watch the fight. No, they are sent into the midst of the battle to push back the enemy, to capture the enemy, and, if need be, to KILL the enemy!! (It's ugly, it's bloody, it's terrifying, but it's what a warrior does.)

It's time for Christians to BE Christians instead of talking about it. It's time to not be ashamed of saying grace in front of our lost friends and co-workers but caring what Jesus thinks about us more than what people do.

Luke 9:23-27 (MSG) Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God."

James 4:17 (MSG) In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

mexicomaria Champion Author Minnesota Posts:24,292 Points:1,382,770 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2011 11:47:04 AM Ignore mexicomaria Report Abuse liberty not license.
lefty78312 Champion Author Syracuse Posts:14,153 Points:2,224,335 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2011 7:53:58 AM Ignore lefty78312 Report Abuse I agree with GM's list of excuses. They're so convenient and we've all used them at one time or another. 'The lord's gift is to make us free from sin, not make us free to sin.' That's one of those cute-but-pithy little sayings that is so true! I love 'em because anyone can understand them.
Guitar_Man Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:8,528 Points:126,470 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2011 7:35:06 AM Ignore Guitar_Man Report Abuse In order to follow Christ, you have to let go of the world. It's takes both hands to carry your cross. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
no1doc Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:20,951 Points:1,804,965 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 10:41:44 AM Ignore no1doc Report Abuse Good post GM. It's a 24 hour vocation but, He does all the heavy work for us. We just have to show up. .. "Preach the gospel always, If necessary use words." ~ St. Francis of Assisi. .. The lord's gift is to make us free from sin, not make us free to sin. .. Thanks again Lord
dancingcrane All-Star Author San Diego Posts:591 Points:222,610 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 12:03:21 AM Ignore dancingcrane Report Abuse Incredibly well-said! May I share this this with my priest? He'd build his whole sermon around this!
Guitar_Man Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:8,528 Points:126,470 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jun 16, 2011 6:42:04 AM Ignore Guitar_Man Report Abuse I remember a few years after I got saved where I let myself become a spectator Christian. My reasons were typical: -I'm not good enough so I'll quit trying. -I work hard during the week so my Sunday is a day to relax so I'm not obligated to be active in my church...or even attend regularly, much less actually waste my time by volunteering at anything! (After all, God understands and is out on the lake, too, right?) -Being a Christian is too hard, I feel bad (convicted) for doing my own thing so it's best just to keep the Lord at arm's length where He can't whisper in my ear anymore. -I'm a lot better than a lot (most) of those people in church who are always there when the doors are open, anyway! In fact, I often find things wrong in what the Pastor preaches about! Can a person be "lost in the light?" I believe so... Galatians 6:9-10 (MSG) So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Bill100 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:41,756 Points:1,191,520 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jun 16, 2011 5:33:51 AM Ignore Bill100 Report Abuse Agreed with both you and Tri. So sad but so true. I am going to copy and paste this on to my (well, I belong to it) Google Group DudesInTheWord (about 50 guys on email- 25 or 30 are regularly active) and see if I can get some discussion going.
trinuclear Champion Author Albany Posts:9,779 Points:601,410 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jun 16, 2011 4:59:02 AM Ignore trinuclear Report Abuse Sad but that is an accurate description of many 'Christians' and 'Churches'.....