People and Challenges

By Lance Cordle

• Why is that so many people take the challenge to run in a marathon, but won’t enter the race of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)?
• Why is it that so many people develop the skill of self control to engage in an athletic contest, but fail to develop that skill when it comes to their spiritual life (1 Corinthians 9:27)
• Why is it that so many people can read for hours in books that are difficult to read as well as interpret, yet neglect reading the Bible,  which was in- tended to be read and understood (Ephesians 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:15)?
• Why is it that so many people can take individuals they have hired and mold and shape them with wisdom an understanding in a workplace, but fail miserably in raising their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)?
• Why is it that so many people want to take on extra responsibility in    community service projects and social clubs, but have little or no desire to be involved in the work of God and his people (Titus 2:14)?
• Why is it that so many people are willing to sacrifice years of their lives to stay with one company and yet are ready to walk away (within a few  years) from the one person they chose to spend their life with (Genesis 2:24)?
• Why is it that so many people spend great amounts of time to figure out puzzles and mysteries presented to them on a recreational level or on a professional level, and yet turn away from Jesus because they come to a “hard saying” (John 6:60) or something within the Christian life they con- sider too difficult?
• Why is it that so many people live with inconsistent behavior from friends, family and even themselves on a daily basis, yet leave a congregation or, the Lord himself, because of “hypocrites in the church” (James 2:7)?
• Why is that so many people are willing to sacrifice their health and physical well-being to engage in habits and behavior that only bring    fleeting happiness, but are unwilling to be mistreated or misunderstood on behalf of God and his people (Hebrews 11:25-26)?
• Why is it that so many people are willing to lay down their life for a friend  but not willing to live/die for Jesus (John 15:15; Romans 5:7)?      

- Lance Cordle preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com