Crash and Learn: How to Defeat Benchwarmer Christianity

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:15–17

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20

“Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” – C.S. Lewis

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2

Strategy 1: Run

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

“A lot of people that know and love Jesus and love people get to heaven rested. I want to get to heaven exhausted. I’m not saying I don’t believe in the Biblical form of rest but when God calls us to run, to advance speedily like an athlete moving forward with full effort it should cause us to look at our faith journey differently. He didn’t call us to meander, or to walk, or to jog! How many times in our life have we run after the job, run after the promotion, run after the fame, run after the career, but when it comes to what Christ calls us to do we jog or we walk? For the people suffering we jog, for the great commission we jog, for the cause of Christ we walk, for the hope of humanity we walk. When we get to heaven I think we are going to realize that this is a miss. We can change that, let’s arrive in heaven exhausted!” – Tim Tebow

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

Value 10: We believe that the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause is normal for every believer.

Strategy 2: Throw off the weight of sin.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1

Step 1: Ask God for power to defeat sin.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit. Ephesians 3:16

Step 2: Look for the way out.

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Step 3: Take steps toward the way out.

Step 4: If we blow it, confess it.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Strategy 3: Have the end in mind.

Run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12: 1-2

For the joy set before him he endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2