“that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” - John 17:21 (NIV).
Almost all sports league have majors and minors. For example, the English Premier League has the premier league consisting of 20 clubs which are the finest. Every season the bottom four are relegated to the 72 clubs below in the minor league, as an equal number is promoted. The National Basketball Association in the US has 30 of the finest teams, which features the best basket ballers, but there is also the lesser known minor Basketball League.
Minor leagues tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues and have lesser fan bases, with much smaller revenues and offer less salaries. In most case they are simply used to develop players for major leagues. The thing is few players, if any, want to end up all their days playing in minor leagues, though it happens.
In the Christian life there is also something like playing in the major and minor league. By major league here we refer to being engaged with issues that are the heart of the Gospel, which is to know Christ and make Him known. There is also playing in the minor league by being engaged with important issues, though of far less weight, such as who is right when it comes to determining the right hour for prayers, or, should believers eat meat slaughtered by non-believers!
When the Apostle Paul encountered such disputes among the brethren, his simple advice was, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14: 19). Earlier he points out, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval” (vv 17-18).
In Paul’s days the issue was about eating meat which caused a lot of dissension. In our times we still have those issues that come up every now and then, which end up causing rift among the brethren. Of course you know them, without naming! The question is, are these the majors or the minor issues of our salvation in Christ! And yes, one could choose to play in the minors, and still remain a player, yet the desire of most is to graduate and make it to the major league.
Today, when you come across contentious issues among the brethren, take a pause, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you if this is a major or minor issue, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:3). Then decide where to play.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, Creator of heaven and earth, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth and I pray to be open for His guide, especially when dealing with matters of disagreement among the brethren, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
