Remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? I love that story because it's easy to see who to root for. The Turtle is slow but he's humble, he's a hard worker, he's an all-around good guy. The Rabbit, on the other hand, is so arrogant! He thinks he can sick back and nap while the Turtle makes his way, slow step by slow step, around the course of the race. Immediately, you cheer for that slow but true Turtle. You just hope to get a chance, when the race is over, to point a finger at the Hare, and say, "Told you so! That's what you get for thinking you didn't need to work at it"!
The moral of that simple children's story is clear: Pride and laziness lead to ruin. That's a pretty good life lesson, no matter how old you are.
In the wake of moral failure on the part of a pastoral staff member, our wonderful Head Pastor gave a list of Ten Commandments to live by which will help us cross life's finish line in victory. Whether you are a vocational minister or new to Christian faith, wisdom and accountability are essential. We have to work at this Christian faith. We have to humble ourselves and realize we're all capable of screwing up.
It's a steep and slippery slope to complete annihilation of our Christian witness, should we "fall asleep" and think it could never happen to us.
Are you living by the List?
1. Thou shalt never be alone with the opposive gender (except your spouse). Thou shalt never ride in the car alone with the opposite gender.
2. Thou shalt not develop an emotional relationship or friendship with a person of the opposite gender (except spouse). Thou shalt not engage in non-business related email/texting/facebook with a person of the opposite gender.
3. Thou shalt not counsel the opposite gender. Men minister to men, women minister to women. Though shalt not discuss your marriage or sexual problems with a person of the opposite gender.
4. Thou shalt have regular, transparent accountability in your life. Thou shalt have an acct. partner that you disclose all of your weaknesses to, ask prayer from and, give regular reports to. Thou shalt use www.covenanteyes.com.
5. Thou shalt live a life characterized by "glass everywhere." Thou shalt have nothing hidden in your life. No secrets.
6. Thou shalt not go to the "liquor store." Thou shalt remove yourself from temptations and remove temptations from you. (If you struggle with internet - GET RID OF THE COMPUTER!)
7. Thou shalt seek healing for unresolved issues in your life. Thou shalt invest in Christian counseling in order to get whole.
8. Thou shalt attend to the care of your soul. Thou shalt spend daily time with the Lord. Thou shalt allow the Lord to fill you more than the world drains you.
9. Thou shalt watch each other's backs. Pray for one another. Confront one another in love when you see warning signs and questionable behavior. Rescue one another from potentially dangerous people.
10. Thou shalt walk with the Lord, surrender to Him, and be filled with His Spirit through a yielded life. Invite Christ's Spirit to sit in the driver's seat of your life. Love God first, family second, everything else third.
If we think we can live our lives free from these Ten Commandments, we're much like the Hare. If we think we can make it without boundaries and accountability, we're prideful and lazy. 2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee the evil desires of youth, pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Is that clear enough? If not, try 1 Tim. 3:2, "Be above reproach."
God wants to use us to be a witness of His love and grace. We can only be a part of His plan if we're willing to use wisdom to help us stay pure. Let's be like the Tortoise - slow but steady. That's the way to make it all the way to the end of life's race and have victory. God is rooting for us. Are you ready? On your mark, get set, GO!
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