Training
- the action of teaching a person or animal a
particular
skill or type of behavior
All of our lives we have been trained to do things a
particular way. We have trained our
bodies in physical disciplines and our minds in scientific or artistic
disciplines. Some of us have gone
through years of training to learn a professional skill, trade or craft. I, personally, have been trained to do a few
things in my life. From the proper way
to change oil in a car (you go to the nearest oil change shop and get it done)
to how to properly put air in my tires (I look pathetic and ask for help).
Whether we train to run a marathon, to rebuild an
antique car, or to play a musical instrument, training is solidified in us when
we put our training into action. You can
train to cook by observing someone prepare meals, looking at videos, or by
reading relevant books. Yet, your
training is of no real value until you turn on the stove or oven and actually
cook yourself. On the job training is invaluable. Sometimes you can learn more by doing than by
watching or reading.
This leads me to a question. Why do so many Christians spend so much time
training without putting it into action?
We spend years in Sunday services, Sunday school, midweek services,
bible study, revival or special meetings, conferences, conventions and bible schools/colleges. We are trained in the things of God...or are
we? Are we really trained in the Kingdom
of God or in the culture of the local assembly?
If we are trained in the culture of the local church, we know the do's
and don'ts of church life. We know when
to stand, sit, kneel and pray. We know
when to give and we know the right times to shout "hallelujah" or say
"Amen." We understand what is
acceptable in our place of worship. In
some ministries, you can sing, clap, dance and openly rejoice at His
goodness. In other gatherings of
believers, you are trained to be quiet, reserved and disciplined in your
responses. We receive a lot of training,
but we reach very few people beyond those that gather with us.
When we are truly trained in the things of God, we are
trained in Kingdom culture and Kingdom action.
We are trained to know that we are the Church. Proper training in the Kingdom results in
action. It is understood that studying,
memorizing, and quoting is not enough. As
we become disciples in the Kingdom of God, we realize that true disciples put
what they know into action.
The branches of the US military train
continuously. There is a war going on
and they put their training in to action daily.
We are in a spiritual war. We
must put our training into action each and every day. The more we move in faith and obedience, the
more we will desire training. Seeing
God's power at work through us produces a greater hunger in us.
It is easy to rest in the comfort of "church
culture" and "church
life." But God expects more. He left us with spiritual mandates of things
we are responsible for doing while in our fleshly bodies. Let's put our training into action.
Matthew
28:19-20(NKJV)
19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching
them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
