Coaching Believers

Today’s Bible Reading:  Isaiah 50-52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1

Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:

Topic: Leadership

SCRIPTURE:  2 Peter 1:3-12 (particularly v. 12)   

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹² So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. (2 Peter 1:3-12 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

The “things” Peter has just reminded believers of are basic truths expounded in vv. 3-11:

In all humility, knowing that we have been forgiven and cleansed from our past sins by God’s grace (v.9), we should be  growing in the virtues of faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, love (vv. 5-8). When we do, we will be effective and productive (v. 8). We have been chosen to receive eternal life, but falling again is possible if we neglect our calling to these things (vv. 10-11). Then Peter says, “I know you already know this, but it is my job to keep reminding you.” 

APPLICATION:

A good coach keeps going over the basics with his team or coachee. In Little League baseball for example, coaches will teach players to “keep your eye on the ball.” When batting, “see” the ball to your bat. When fielding, “see” the ball into your glove. Errors occur most often when players take their eyes off the ball. Major League baseball players will still have coaches reminding them to “keep your eye on the ball.” Whether a beginner or a seasoned athlete, growth and progress will be added, but only upon a continually maintained foundation.

As a Christian leader called to equip God’s people to do His work and to build up His Chruch—His Body (Eph 4:12), I must be mindful to lead believers to deeper truths and greater maturity. As a good coach, like Coach Peter, I must also keep reminding them of the basics along the way.   

PRAYER:

Lord help me to be a good and effective coach on Your team.   

Through Christ. Amen.  -AP