The importance of training cannot be overstated. In every aspect of our lives the people who do the best are the ones who spend the time to train. From interns to an apprentice, training is an essential part of everyday life. The same goes for living out the Christian life. Often our lives can seem to be so mundane that we could not possibly do something great with God. Getting out of our comfort zone tends to heighten our attitude, whether it is going on a mission trip or leading a crowd of people to salvation or any other goal, and we feel closer to God. We want to do something out of the ordinary, but are we ready for that?
Ever wonder why some people always seem to be in the right place at the right time to help others, and we, ever so willing, never seem to get that opportunity? Well, if you pay attention most of those people are trained to not only handle the situation but pay attention to what is going on around them so they can recognize when someone needs help. I recall a story in the news a while ago of a couple messing around on at beach pretending to drown and the lifeguard comes running over to help, which of course to them they thought it was funny, until he passed them and rescued a child just behind them that was actually drowning. You see, he knew what to look for. He was trained and ready. We should be the same way in our Christian lives, constantly training so we are ready for whenever God wants to use us.
For also you are obligated to be teachers because of the time, again you have need of [someone] to teach you what are the elementary principles of the beginning of the Words of God and you have come to be ones having need of milk and not solid food. For all the ones partaking of milk are unskilled concerning a word of righteousness, for you are inarticulate babblers. – Hebrews 5:12, 13
But the solid food is of the mature, the ones through the habit exercising their sense to discern both proper and wrong – Hebrews 5:14
We need to prepare ourselves. We need to purify ourselves, we need to cleanse ourselves, and be ready.
Therefore, is someone cleanses himself from these things he is a vessel unto honor, sanctified and useful to the Despot, unto all good works being prepared – 2 Timothy 2:21
Paul is talking about being an unashamed workman who cuts straight the Word of God. This is one who is training in the proper use of Scripture. Knows the difference between what is doctrine and what is teaching; what is for our practice as Christians and what is for our learning. This is one who properly handles the Word of truth.
How can we train while doing the ordinary things we do each day? Start with the little things and begin to learn how to properly apply them to our lives.
Are you having victory over your sin nature? Do you even know what your sin nature is and what desires come from it? Are you lustful all the time? Are you angry? Do you think that if you can only go to church or up to a high mountain or away from people you will be closer to God? These are all desires from the sin nature. Sadly, many Christians today are never taught about their sin nature or how to have victory over it.
And the works of the flesh are evident, which things are: adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, licentiousness, idolatry, religious superstitious awe, enmity, strife, jealousy, inner burning anger, selfish ambitions, divisions, heresies, envy, murder (senseless slaughter), drunkenness, revelries, and such like these – Galatians 5:19-21
What about Satan? Do you understand how to put on the armor of God? Have you practiced putting it on? What about the desires that come from him, do you know them? Independence from God always leads us down a dark path that only produces fruit we are ashamed of.
in order that we should not be taken advantage of by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his way of thinking – 2 Corinthians 2:11
What is the framing of your mind, that is, what are the boundaries you place upon the way you think? Do you know them? Do you know what they should be in Christ? How we frame our minds directly impacts our actions.
For the ones that are [walking] according to flesh, set their minds of the things of the flesh, but the ones [walking] according to Spirit, the things of the Spirit. – Romans 8:5
We need to have the basics down before we can handle the more complex things. The result of practicing will be victory over our sin nature and over Satan and we will start to purify ourselves by removing the things in our lives that do not edify God or build us up in our Christian life. The more we do this the better we will be equipped and ready to do any good work our Lord brings our way.
