Jump Start # 3839
Philippians 4:9 “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
I have always been a fan of auto racing. Growing up in Indianapolis, the capital of racing, I went to the Indianapolis Speedway, home of the 500, many, many times. And, being part of the 60s, I caught the spirit of the British invasion and fell in love with Formula 1 racing. In those early days racing was extremely dangerous and many drivers were killed.
The 500 this year had an exciting finish, a phenomenal crowd, and all the pageantry that makes it special. Post race inspections found that the car that finished second had some altered parts and it was disqualified. From second place to second to last is where that car ended up in the standings. Not only was this embarrassing, it came with a massive financial loss. Penalized. Fined. Striped of second place honors. This impacts the points awarded for the season championship as well.
You might think, ok, Roger, are we becoming a sports page now? What’s the point? And, it comes down to this, “Why does it matter?” And, when we leave the surface of a racetrack and turn to the pages of our Bible, this is a lesson that many fail to see. Why does it matter?
Why does it matter how a preacher gets paid? Directly or through a series of churches? He gets paid and that’s all that matters.
Why does it matter who is helped by the church? As long as the needy are helped, isn’t that what is important?
Why does it matter how a church raises money? However you get it, just do good. Isn’t that what matters?
Does it matter why one gets a divorce? Being happy is all that matters, right?
Does it matter who serves as an elder? As long as the job gets done, does it matter?
Does it matter what all we do in worship? Just love the Lord in your own unique way?
Does it matter what kind of animal, what age it was and what condition it was in for Israel’s sacrifices?
And, on and on and on we could list things like this. Why does it matter? Just accomplish good and don’t fuss about how you do it, is how so many feel today. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don’t worry about the details.
Years ago I was golfing with a friend. I had a short chip to the green. He was walking along the side of the green carrying his golf bag. My chip hit his bag and trickled into the hole. He dropped his golf bag and said very loudly, “It’s not how you drive, but how you arrive that matters!” That may be in golfing, but not life and especially not with the Lord.
Rules. Authority. Boundaries. Staying in your lane. All of life has those things. The doctor has certain authority. If he crosses the line, he can lose his license. The pilot can’t just fly anywhere he wants to. There are rules he has to follow. You can’t sit down and play a game with the grandchildren without first understanding and establishing some rules. There are rules in the world of finance. There are rules of the road. There are rules even when it comes to burying someone.
Somehow our times have forgotten the rules of God. They think as long as you toss the name of Jesus into what you are doing, that it is ok. It’s not how you drive but how you arrive, is the way they think. Yet, the story of Cain and Able, Nadab and Abihu and even our verse today reminds us that there are certain ways God wants to be worshipped and followed. Going new directions is not what interests God. Being different, unique and one of a kind will not please the Lord. God is interested in following the leader, Him.
Our verse today is one of many great reminders that how you get there is as important as what you do. Paul was encouraging the brethren to walk in his steps. If he taught it, we ought to teach it. If he practiced it, we ought to practice it. If Paul didn’t do it, then why are we doing it?
Brethren who have stood with the Lord and sought for Biblical proof of practices have often need labeled as being narrow, traditional, out of touch and old fashioned. Yet, they have understood the precious value of following the Lord. Doing things the Lord’s way matters. How you get there matters.
For a race driver and his team, they were moved in the standings from second place to second to last. They didn’t follow the rules. For us, when we do not follow the rules, our fellowship with the Lord is at stake.
Roger