Basic Training

To the church of God …, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2)

What does it mean when God says we are “called to be saints?” What does that look like, and what is the process?

We all know the movie scene depicting a soldier in basic training getting yelled at by his drill sergeant. In fact some of you have lived through that!

There are parts of the Christian walk that feel like that. God isn’t the one doing the yelling. It comes from common, everyday circumstances and events, which are orchestrated for our good. (Romans 8:28)

In fact, God uses people AND circumstances AND events to train us. In basic training they are molding and shaping the a solder so they will be useful in battle – able to carry our their mission without being distracted by the sounds and events going on around them in battle.

The same process is at work in you and I. The events around us, and people we encounter are there to shape and mold us so our response will always be to reflect and demonstrate Christ in us, as well as allow us to carry out our mission, which is to look for opportunities to lead others to know Christ.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

We are in a battle – just look at the headlines. Evil is abounding and the enemy is becoming bolder every day, seeking to cross boundaries and make sure that the focus of this world is taken off Godly things and onto self and the world. Christ comes to offer life.

Make no mistake – just like a solder has some very bad days, so will we.

God does not promise good days; He promises a great eternity.

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
(Psalm 18:2)

Stay focused on eternity; it changes everything.