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Campus Life, January/February 1999
Who's in Control?
Imagine a guy (we'll call him Fred) puts on a shirt. Across the chest, in huge letters, it says, "Jesus is Lord!" Fred has just labeled himself a Christian.
Yet when it comes to the way Fred acts, Jesus is definitely not in charge. When Fred misses a shot in tennis, he goes ballistic. And he just can't remember to take out the garbage—even though he's been told a dozen times. When he's with his girlfriend, he's always pushing the physical limits.
Who's in control? Certainly not Jesus. For Fred, his feelings rule. He's pretty much out of control.
Fred's shirt is just that: a shirt. The statement is empty. He's labeled himself a "Christian," but he sure doesn't act like one.
Fred's way of looking at faith would have been unimaginable to believers in the early church. To them, faith was not just something a person believed; it was something that had to be lived.
It meant a radically different way of life. They had to put their feelings in second place and put Jesus first—right where a person called "Lord" belongs.
These early believers worked so hard at following Jesus' example that someone began calling them "Christians." And it wasn't a compliment, either. You can almost hear it said with a sneer and a laugh: "You people are just a bunch of little 'Christs.' A bunch of Christians." But what could be better than being named after the person you most want to be like?
With the name, however, comes the responsibility to live in a way Jesus would be proud of. And that means living a life of self-control. It's not easy, because sometimes your desires will fight his will. But you don't have to struggle alone.
God is at work in and through your life. Even in the middle of temptation, he opens a door to give you a way out. You do not have to fall. You can have self-control.
Think back to the last time you gave in to temptation. Walk through the experience step-by-step. Do you see where God has provided a way out? It's there. Keep looking until you see it, then watch for it next time—before you fall. From the Word:
"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
Philippians 2:12-13
In this "Power Pack," we focus on self-control. We'd like to challenge you to study Scripture passages about this topic. Then, after the end of this Challenge, we hope you'll be able to say, "I've made progress! I'm doing a better job at letting Jesus rule my life." |
Face-to-face with our sinful nature
God has started a project in each of us. He's not going to quit until we are so different, so completely new, that we remind people of Jesus. The amazing thing is, we get to work with God on the project.
To follow Jesus in the area of self-control, we first need to take a hard look at sin and why it's so easy to give in when sin tempts us. Skim Romans chapter 7. Now, go back and reread it a little slower. On your third reading of the chapter, really slow down. Think about each idea Paul expresses. Then answer these questions: - What purpose did the law serve before Jesus came? What purpose does it serve now?
- What does it mean to be a "slave to sin"?
- Do you ever share Paul's discouragement (verses 14-24)?
Now read chapter 8. Can you feel the relief Paul felt when he finally understood how struggle and victory fit together? When he finally fully accepted the idea of forgiveness?
Failures, feasts and freedom
Read 1 Corinthians 10. It refers to the Old Testament and mentions the mistakes of others. These things were written as examples to us.
Make a few notes as you read. Who are these people? What are the examples? Think back to the Bible stories you've heard over the years. What other examples from Israel's history come to mind—good examples, and examples that aren't so good? Pay special attention to verses 23-24. The Corinthian culture must have been a lot like ours—"I'm OK; you're OK; can't we all just do our own thing?" How did Paul respond to this kind of attitude? Does his response give you any ideas for dealing with today's "tolerance" frenzy? | This chapter, 1 Corinthians 10, also includes one of the most astounding promises in the Bible. What is it? Can you rewrite it in your own words? Do you really believe it? And if you do, can you think of some examples from your own experience?
Here are some things to try:
- Think of all the words your peers might use to describe you. For the positive ones, how can you build up your reputation in those areas? For the negative ones, what can you do to change those impressions?
- Illustrate 1 Corinthians 10:13 by drawing the image you think of when you read it.
- Describe a time when you actually did take "the way out" of a temptation. How did you feel afterward? Think of other temptations, particularly recurring temptations. Can you find the escape route? What would you have to do next time to follow that route out of the temptation?
- Complete this phrase: "I could help my friends in the area of self-control if I … "
- Complete this phrase: "My friends could help me in the area of self-control if I asked them to … "
Want more? If you've found this column helpful, you might be interested in the books in the Deeper Devotions Series, also by Jim Long. It's Who You Are That Counts is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. When Life Gets Tough is based on the book of James. Both are published by Zondervan Publishing House and are available at your local Christian bookstore, or for information, call 1-800-727-3480. |
Copyright © 1999 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail clmag@CampusLife.net.
January/February 1999, Vol. 57, No. 6, Page 10
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