And yet exercise is still very difficult (for me at least) to get in the habit of doing.  It’s difficult physically and mentally.  That difficulty, though, along with a proper diet can produce amazing results.

Why am I telling you this?

Because strict (athletic) training is an analogy that Paul uses in his 1st letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 – “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (NASB)

Paul uses the analogy of exercising self-control to highlight something even more important than athletic training.  He runs and boxes in such a way that he will not be disqualified.  The word Paul uses for discipline literally means “bruise,” so Paul is being very harsh with his body.

He is being harsh for the right reason.  So that he will not be disqualified.

There are important lessons to be learned from this passage.  Let me emphasize two of them:

Self-Control is important in all things. Paul says those who compete in the games exercise self-control for a perishable wreath, but we for an imperishable.  This should be an incentive for us as Christians to be self-controlled with others, alone, at church, work, school, and everywhere else.

There’s not time limit for when we are to be self-controlled.  It’s a 24/7 thing.  If we are truly to have self-control in all things, then we must be consistent about it.  In everything, everyplace, and every time, we should remember the importance of self-control.

Discipline serves a purpose. Paul says , “I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.”  This is important to recognize.  Everything Paul does is for a purpose.  He has an aim when he runs and he doesn’t beat the air when he boxes.

He does this so that he won’t be disqualified.  Paul makes his body his “slave.”  We should follow the example of Paul.  That means making our body a slave to the plan of Christ and will of Christ.  We don’t discipline for nothing, but for someone.  We have to be willing to discipline and even bruise our body for Christ’s sake and  purposes.

So while I’m still getting used to this exercise phenomenon thing, I think there are important lessons we can learn from Paul at the same time with a similar analogy.  Let’s exercise self-control in all things and recognize the purpose of discipline as we remember Paul’s words, “They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”

Some people may never read God’s Word.  Some people don’t see or understand the importance of reading God’s Word.  If people won’t read God’s Word, then we as Christians must reflect God’s Word for them.  We must shine for God’s glory that people may see His truth.

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (NASB)

One aspect of this verse that can be very hard to fulfill is letting people see your good works for God’s glory.  For me, letting people see your good works isn’t the hard part.  In our pridefulness we can be sure to let people see our good works, but ignore the necessity that they be for God’s glory.

We are to shine our light that the Bible – God’s Word and Truth – may be accurately reflected.  Yes, we need to shine our light before men and yes, they do need to see our good works.  But if we let our pride get in the way of those things being for God’s glory, we fail to fulfill this commandment.

The way we show our good works must be “in such a way” that “your Father who is in heaven” is given all the glory.  Because, as my Sunday School teacher likes to often point out, “you may be the only Bible they read.”

The last few days I’ve been thinking about what might be an appropriate passage to study all the way through.  There are some enormous Books of the Bible, like Isaiah, and short texts, like 2 and 3 John.  I opted for the latter category for this first study.  The book I will – and hopefully we will – (the reader and myself) be studying is Jude.

This is a very short book of the Bible, but its message is nonetheless critical.  This first post will deal with Jude verse 1.

Jude 1 – “Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:” (NASB)

“Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,” This text announces the writer of this letter.  There are two main theories as to which Jude wrote this letter.  The first is that Judas (not Iscariot), one of twelve disciples wrote the letter.  The second is that Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote the letter.

In Greek, the name “Jude” is literally Judas, which is important as far as accuracy is concerned.  Matthew records in Matthew 13:55 – “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?” (NASB)

The same word used for Jude is used for Judas in this passage.  While Jude could refer to one of the twelve disciples, the more likely option is that it refers to the half-brother of Jesus.  Jude identifies himself as the brother of James.  The half-brother of Jesus also had a brother named James.  Perhaps the reason Jude doesn’t identify himself as Christ’s half brother is due to his initial disbelief.

John 7:5 – “For not even His brothers were believing in Him.” (NASB)

Scripture later records in Acts 1:14 – “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (NASB)

This verse indicates that though Jesus’ brothers did not initially believe in Him, they did at a later point.  Jude’s statement that he is “a bond-servant of Jesus Christ” was the only direct association with Jesus he though appropriate to mention.  Jude was the half-brother of Jesus and brother of James.

“To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:” This indicates Jude’s intended audience.  Called, beloved, and kept all indicate Jude was writing to Christians.  While no specific region or church is mentioned, there are many Old Testament allegories mentioned that indicate the audience may have had a Jewish ancestry.

These statements should be encouraging to all followers of Christ – we are “the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.”

Jude’s letter begins like many letters in the Bible with who is writing and the audience.  We’ll look at verse 2 and the rest of Jude in the coming days.  My hope is to examine at least 1 verse or more a week.  Here’s a challenge: try to read all of Jude before the next Scripture Study post.

“Why debate?” The question comes again.  Many of debate’s benefits are very practical.  It teaches you critical thinking.  In addition, you gain the ability to communicate effectively and the confidence to speak.

During the time I debated, I also gained the important ability to research, often on my own.  Furthermore, participating in tournaments provided opportunities to network and build relationships with other people.  Writing skills were also strengthened through debate.

My hope is that even if you may never participate in debate, you’ll recognize the importance of good communication skills.  It’s a life-long pursuit that’s worth a few bumps in the road.

So my challenge to you, the reader, is that you build good communication skills by learning to speak in front of others.

While I won’t always be competing in debate, I will carry the skills I have gained from the activity throughout my life.  Unlike activities such as chess club, basketball, or soccer (no offense meant to sports fans) that teach skills someone may not be able to apply later in life, debate teaches skills applicable to many areas of life.

I’ve had fun with debate and times where I wished I wasn’t participating, but looking back it’s clear that debate was more than worthwhile.

So…“why debate?” My journey in debate has reaffirmed why I have been involved for so many years in the activity.  The first and foremost reason is this… to glorify God in all that I do by being an effective communicator for Christ.

Go back with me to the five percent statistic I mentioned before.  Only five percent of Americans are ready and willing to speak on a public platform.  If I were one of those, my ability to make an impact for Christ would be much greater.  That’s the real reason to debate – Soli Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (NASB)

The word comes from late Latin controversialis. This word ultimately comes from two words meaning “turned against, disputed” and “to turn.”  Even at its root, controversial deals with something that is disputed.

There are many controversial issues in the world today – abortion, homosexuality, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and creation/evolution are a few examples.  All of these issues draw very heated arguments from people on both sides of the issue(s).

These issues help demonstrate the very essence of being controversial – strong disagreement.  The other aspect of controversial, strong disapproval also follows along the same lines.  One party may strongly agree with an idea, but another may be completely opposed to that idea.

We ought to examine issues that are controversial from a Biblical perspective.  Even though society at-large may dispute something, Christians should have clear opinions on the matters.  Abortion, homosexuality, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and creation/evolution all can be addressed from a distinctly Christian perspective.

If someone says that an issue is controversial, a Christian should be able to respond to that issue from Scripture.  If a Christian doesn’t know what the Bible says about that issue, he or she should search the Scriptures.

Acts 17:11 – “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (NASB)

Many issues should not be controversial for Christians.  There are many issues that the Bible speaks on which are cut and dry.  In those things, at least, Christians should find nothing controversial.