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Friday, January 21, 2005
One of my favorite movies of all time is "Rocky." It's the story of a down and out boxer (Rocky Balboa) who has the chance to fight the heavyweight champion of the world (Apollo Creed). He gets his old trainer (Mickey) to help him prepare.
Mickey is very inspirational to Rocky in that he shows him film of Apollo Creed. He shows him how fast he is. How powerful he is. How quick he is. Mickey calls Apollo a "machine." He's the best fighter in the world. I know. I know. That isn't very inspirational.
But then Mickey starts talking about what it's going to take to beat Apollo Creed in the ring. His eyes light up. He talks about the reality: To get ready for a 45 minute fight, he's got to train 45,000 minutes. He's going to have to live, eat, sleep and breathe this fight...it's going to take discipline.
And Rocky Balboa had it, too.
He got up at 4 AM.
He ate a steady diet of raw eggs for protein.
He ran every morning for three hours.
He skipped rope.
He hit the heavy bag.
He did countless sit ups.
He hit the speed bag.
He sparred against other boxers who resembled the champ.
The down and out fighter gave the champ the fight of his life. It went the entire 15 rounds.
And Rocky lost. It was a split decision, though.
And it wouldn't have been possible without the 45,000 minutes of training.
But what did Rocky get? A few minutes of fame. Some accolades in the sports page. A pay day. A big one for him, too. But all that was gone by the time the first sequel came along...by that time, after he purchased a home and a car, he was back at the meat packing plant earning an honest living.
And when we listen to the words of the Sermon on the Mount, it all sounds so good, doesn't it? "You aren't being salt and light the way Israel's supposed to be...it's supposed to be about the INTENT of The Law, not the LETTER of it. In fact, the way to become one of those people who can be salt and light is to be a person who gives to the needy. A person of prayer. A person who fasts. A person who invests in Kingdom interests. A person who doesn't worry because they know God is in heaven and taking care of His own people..."
How can you argue with that? It's like a politician who promises more money for education and lower taxes...who doesn't want that?
Well, what separates the person who hears the words and has a desire to be someone who walks with God against the person who actually walks with God authentically?
I'd suggest the word "discipline."
That word almost has a negative connotation in our minds. Structure. Order. Rigidity. Denial. Things like that come to mind.
But let's look at how Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 9: 24--27...
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run but only one recieves a prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim. I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified."
Paul talks about an athlete training for the Isthmian Games (the precursor to the Olympics) and how they exercise self-control in all things. They want to win a trophy, so they do without socializing and certain foods and other desires so they'll have the very best chance to win. A trophy that won't last very long.
And what we're disciplining ourselves for is eternal in nature.
He talks about his specific training, so his time isn't wasted.
And he wants his lifestyle to match up with his preaching.
And that should be our attitude. We should be willing to exercise self-control in all things for the Kingdom.
It won't be easy, and I'll close by asking what will that "exercise of self-control" look like in regard to the lessons we've already learned from Matthew 6?
Brent 4:01 AM
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