Let's Get on the Ball!
Brian R. Kenyon

British Carlton, preacher for the Oakland church of Christ in Haines City, once gave an illustration concerning two ants and a golf ball. A golfer placed his tee in an ant hill. He reared back and swung hard at the ball but missed. Ants and dirt went flying everywhere! The golfer stepped aside, practiced his swing, and once again stepped up to the ball. He swung hard at the ball but missed again. Ants and dirt went flying everywhere! After this second miss, one ant said to another, "The safest place for us to be is on the ball!" Though this story is somewhat humorous, it does illustrate an important point: we must be "on the ball" when it comes to serving the Lord!

Is Our Attitude "On the Ball"?

What do we really think about the Lord and His work? Our thoughts determine our attitudes, and our attitudes determine how dedicated we are (and will be) to the Lord. Is it any wonder, then, that a wise man once said, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Pr. 23:7)? When we think on spiritually positive things, our attitude will be what it ought to be. Paul said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Phil. 4:8). When we do not think on spiritually positive thoughts, our Christianity will be weak. Let us examine ourselves. What do we do when our favorite television show or football game comes on at the same time the church meets for worship and/or Bible study-are we tempted to stay home and watch television? What do we do when our spouse has to work late-are we tempted to stay home from Bible study? What do we do when a family member is ill-are we tempted to use that as an excuse for the whole family staying home from church services? If we are still allowing these things in life to keep us from church services, we are acting like babies in Christ, even if we have been members of the church for many years! We must grow beyond this immaturity (Heb. 5:12-14), meditate on spiritual things, and get on the ball!

Is Our Action "On the Ball"?

There is no way to prove to God or to other people that we are truly Christians except by putting into practice what we claim to believe. James put it this way: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (Jas. 2:17-18). From this passage, at least three truths are evident. First, claiming to be faithful is not the same as being faithful. Many claim to be Christians, but only those who back it up with action prove that they are faithful. Second, it is not enough to believe. Even the demons believe! However, they do not do the work of the Lord. Thus, those who claim to be Christians, but do not do the Lord's work, are no better off than demons! Third, one claiming to be a Christian who does not do the will of God is as good as dead, spiritually-"faith without works is dead"!

If we were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us? Again, let us examine ourselves. Of the church's four regular Bible study/worship services per week, how many do we attend? This is not to say that attending church services is all there is to being faithful because it is not (cf. Jas. 1:22-24). However, our attendance is an immediate barometer of our interest in the Lord. Are we showing interest and faithfulness to the Lord by "skipping" church services? While it is true that a person can attend every church service and not be faithful, is it possible for one of normal health and ability to be faithful and not consistently attend the services of the church (Heb. 10:24-25)? If we are not attending services regularly, we need to get on the ball!

Conclusion

Christianity is serious business! We do tremendous harm to the body of Christ when we are lukewarm and indifferent toward His work. Christ is not pleased with us if we are in this condition-we need to repent (Rev. 3:14-16). Let us adjust our attitudes to be more like Christ's, accelerate our work of faith, and get on the ball for the Lord!