July 12, 2007
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Race-Car Obedience
I’m currently reading Jerry Bridges book called, The Discipline of Grace. It’s an EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT book and I highly recommend it. I loved what he wrote about the difference between ‘cruise control’ obedience and race-car obedience.
“My observation is that most of us who are believers practice what is called a ‘cruise-control’ approach to obedience. …we press the accelerator pedal of obedience until we have brought our behavior up to a certain level or ‘speed.’ The level of obedience is most often determined by the behavior standard of other Christians around us. We don’t want to lag behind them because we want to be as spiritual as they are. At the same time, we’re not eager to forge ahead of them because we wouldn’t want to be different. “
“By contrast consider race-car drivers. They wouldn’t think of using a cruise control. They are not interested in blending in with the speed of those around them. They are not out for a Sunday afternoon drive. They want to win the race.
Race-car drivers are totally focused on their driving. Their foot is always on the accelerator as they try to push their car to the outer limits of its mechanical ability and endurance. Their eye is always on the track as they press to its limit their own skill in negotiating the turns of the track and the hazards of other cars around them. They are driving with all their heart, soul, and mind.
This is what it means to love God with all our heart and soul and mind. It means to obey Him with all our heart and soul and mind. It means, in the words of Hebrews 12:14, to ‘make every effort … to be holy,” and in the words of the Apostle Peter, to ‘make every effort’ to add to our faith the various facets of Christian character (2 Peter 1:5-7).”
The Apostle Paul used the metaphor of a foot race in 1 Cor. 9:24-27….
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air, No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Comments (12)
I really enjoyed your post today. It goes along with something I have been pondering and praying about alot lately. I will post on that today. We should always be striving to further our walk and get closer to Christ.
The Bible does describe it as a race but as sinful humans we are always looking to get comfortable and maybe also to not get so far ahead that we make are other Christian friends feel uncomfortable because they are stagnant or not as far in their walk. Oh, that we would just fix our eyes on Jesus and not look to the right or left but sprint like we are in a race and go straight to Him!
Excellant post today. Thanks for sharing. Dawn
That Bible Memory site is awesome!
Awesome post!
Blessings,
Paula
great analogy!
Loved it.. i’m fortunate or blessed to be a bit of a misfit so some of the conditions of crusie control don’t apply but i see how they could… Excellent post gonna share it with several.. (as we love racing)..
thanks for sharing
raine
Great post!!! I think some Christians don’t even use their cruise control but they are brake riders. I know you’ve probably been driving behind a person whose brake lights are cosntantly flashing because they like to ride their brakes. So true in the church too! Some like to always be the ones to try and hold others and the church back. We’ve never done it that way before, I don’t know if that will work, I’m not sure that is what God meant, we’re Big enough. Often I think is sitting in Heaven just shaking his head thinking are they ever going to trust me.
I checked out the Bible Memory site. I will be looking into that for the girls for their school work. Thanks for posting
I have been praying alot recently about how I live my life and if I am living as Jesus would want me to live. Your post is more good food for thought.
How are you doing, my friend?
Your posts are always challenging and a blessing.
RYC: I am also doing well and having a busy summer. Today is the beginning of “Cousin’s Camp” at our house, which means we prepare the garage for meals, games, and sleeping for six grandsons (the five girls sleep in the guest room and living room).
Expect to read about it on my blog!
Good thougthts there. We really do try to blend in too often.
Thanks for telling about the book! We just bought it and I’m reading it now! An excellent book and helping me understand some things more so than before!