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How to Be a Part of God's Team By Robert Berendt Hockey depends on teamwork. So does God's way of life. While God values us as individuals, He also requires a surrender of self that we might accomplish His purpose.
ockey is a team sport. That means each player gives his best effort in a way that is unselfish and in obedience to the rules of the game as well as the advice of the coach. It is a sport I love, and I see the same enjoyment in all the rest of our team members that come out twice a week to play together. Not only do we get a good, energetic workout, but there is also great warmth of support and dignity for us all. We, as a group, take pride in contributing towards a goal (called an "assist") or towards doing our part in a defensive effort. Anyone who "hogs the puck" or "lollygags" is not appreciated. The camaraderie is a gift that cannot be bought.
Christianity -- God's team Christianity means becoming part of God's "team." He has very exact rules for being on His team. One of the first demands is to get rid of the self (Romans 14:7; 15:1-3). Being on this team requires a change in our values and sense of individualism. It means loving our enemies -- not just our friends and neighbors (Matthew 5:44). It means being ready to do something unpleasant and inconvenient for the group that we are part of. There is no team I know of that demands more of the surrender of self (of the individual) than God's team -- being a converted child of God and follower of Jesus Christ. We can quit most other "teams," because we have paid an entrance fee of a sort. We must never leave God's team, because Jesus Christ paid our entrance fee and it was costly to Him.
Nothing could be plainer. Yet all too often we chafe at the very cords that make our involvement possible. The causes for the lack of understanding lie in not understanding that it is precisely in the giving up of bad habits or instilled wrong ideas that will lead to opportunity, support and the respect of others. True success comes to the one who is willing to sacrifice his or her personal "wants" for the sake of the team effort. We have the freedom to make choices -- good or bad. Once we are clearly able to see the value of good choices, we will embrace them fully. We will realize that we as individuals are often wrong in our attitudes and interaction with others, and we will make the changes so that we open the door to a wonderful world of opportunities, of friendship, of service that is given freely and gladly. Therein lies the keys to a happy and contented life. God's "Way"
Some examples are: Apollos, who had been instructed in "the way of the Lord" (Acts 18:25), had "the way of God" explained more accurately (verse 26). There was "a great commotion about the Way" (Acts 19:23). Paul worshipped God "after the way which they call a sect" (Acts 24:14). Acts 24:22 refers to Felix "having more accurate knowledge of the Way." There are other scriptures that describe the rules God demands we play by.
God starts us off at the beginning of our spiritual lives by giving us self-respect and love and allowing us to honor ourselves. It is not because we have done anything to deserve this, but it is God lifting us out of the pit into which we have fallen. When God forgives our sins, they do not exist, as far as He is concerned. We need to forgive ourselves and have faith in the blood of Jesus so that we can know (and know that we know) that God has accepted us because of Jesus' sacrifice. Playing by God's rules
That is the recipe for the success of any hockey team. Know the rules, play within them, listen to the advice of a good coach and be concerned about the whole team. God wants every person to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), and Paul explains how we are to "carefully" follow the rules God has given through His ministry. Our manner of life, purpose for life, faith in Him and perseverance are all part of the process. God is grooming His "team" to be the star team for all eternity. The keys are right there in your head -- take them and live! Interestingly enough, there cannot be "human rights" for anyone unless everyone is willing to "surrender," so rather than saying "Surrender or Human Rights," we might say: "Surrender is Human Rights." For more interesting reading, request the booklet . Copyright 2009 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: teamwork hockey rules God's way God's rules God's team
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