“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
-
24/04/2024 - 25/04/2024 All day“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4)
Premier Joseph and King David have a particular common characteristics: two individuals who were blessed with success, in their work. When Joseph was taken into the household of Potiphar, “The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered...When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant” ( Gen 39:2-4).
Even when he was imprisoned later, on false accusations, “The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there” (vv 21-22). Later in his life he is made second in command of Egypt by Pharaoh. “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40).
For David, after he disposed off Goliath, “Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army” (1 Samuel 18:5). His success on the battle field would soon cause trouble for him when the troops started singing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (vv 7).
In spite of Saul’s anger at the comparison and even trying to kill him, for David “in everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns” (vv 14-16). Eventually, the throne would pass on to David.
Success in life is one of the blessings the Lord has marked out for believers. These individuals were successful because the Lord was with them. The only one who does not wish to see success of us, is the enemy Satan, who comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). May we pray that our lives are characterized with the anointing of success, because the Lord is with us!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that I bask in your success, in all that I do, because as was with your servants Joseph, David, Daniel and others, you are with me, and this I pray in Jesus’ name.
