I was studying 1 Timothy with my husband when I noticed the exhortation Olympics that is 1 Timothy 4:13-16. In a matter of three verses we see Paul urging Timothy to: devote yourself, do not neglect, practice, immerse yourself, keep a close watch, and persist! All in the present continuous tense meaning do it now, not just once, but keep doing it indefinitely.
That sounds like a lot, does it not? As Paul’s top protege, young Timothy must have been quite a guy. The type where most Christians would see him as living a life of holiness a step above the rest. Isn’t he doing enough?
I’ve found that, as the initial years of being a Christian and discovering wonderful truth have gone by, I’ve settled into a kind of routine of faith and worship. I read my Bible consistently, pray with some regularity, evangelize when the opportunity comes to me, and repent when my sin decides to especially rear its ugly head.
Perhaps you can relate? Sure there are issues you are aware of and working on (sort of), but for the most part your spiritual life might be described as “coasting”.
Jerry Bridges calls it “cruise control obedience.” You are saved, you are grieved by your sin and mortify it until you reach about the level of holiness you see going on in the Christian peers around you and then you set cruise control. Not so much effort from here on out since you’ve set good habits and shed the “big” sins.
But this is not how the Bible describes the Christian life. Bridges says that it’s not cruise control obedience but more like professional race car driving obedience we are called to. Moment to moment striving, pressing on with zeal, casting aside any weight that hinders us, devoting the whole of our heart, soul, mind, and strength—this is the kind of faithful living we are commanded to pursue.
- Hebrews 12:14
- Philippians 3:12-14
- Titus 2:14
- Hebrews 12:1
- Luke 10:27
It would be foolish to look at these many exhortations and conclude that lack of strenuous, focused effort in the Christian life is acceptable.
Living in spiritual cruise control may manifest as a “normal” Christian life, but it is actually spiritual sloth. And not only can sloth easily lead to a fall, it is far from worship.
Like an Olympic athlete devoted to their sport, we must not kick up our feet and lay back once we’ve reached a certain “skill level”. As an act of worship to God, we ought to always be bringing the sacrifice of continual conscious effort.
And unlike training for sport, the process of sanctification is wonderful in that the further you progress, the better you see that you are far from the end. Deeper layers of sin, and the true ugliness of it are revealed in greater clarity.
This too, can be exhausting. And disheartening. God knows. Remember then that the gospel, and your understanding of its potent rescue expands and ever more glory is given to his name.
Devote yourself, do not neglect, practice, immerse yourself, keep a close watch, and persist! He is worthy. He is worthy.
