Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone!
“Don’t let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance.” 2 Peter 3:17 (CEV)
One of the events in the summer Olympics is the pentathlon. It is composed of five events. The pentathlete’s goal is to succeed in all five areas, not just one or two. Your life is a pentathlon of five purposes, which you must keep in balance. These purposes were practiced by the first Christians in Acts 2, explained by Paul in Ephesians 4, and modeled by Jesus in John 17, but they are summarized in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Jesus.
These two statements sum up God’s five purposes for your life:
- “Love God with all your heart”: You were planned for God’s pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through worship.
- “Love your neighbor as yourself”: You were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for others through ministry.
- “Go and make disciples”: You were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share God’s message through evangelism.
- “baptize them into …”: You were formed for God’s family, so your purpose is to identify with his church through fellowship.
- “teach them to do all things …”: You were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship.
A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will make you a great Christian.
Point to Ponder: Blessed are the balanced.
Verse to Remember: “Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do.” Ephesians 5:15 (Ph)
Question to Consider: Which of the four activities will I begin in order to stay on track and balance God’s five purposes for my life?
