Raising The Bar Higher

My twin brother was a pole vaulter in high school. During practice he would run up to the pit lower his pole until it became lodged in a groove in the pit. There the fiberglass pole would bend very severely and propel him upwards. He would lean his long lanky body back and precariously perch himself on this pole. The force of the pole springing up would vault him over a high bar. With each practice the pole vaulters on the team would raise the bar higher and higher. Newbies would train at lower levels but those who had been on the team competing for some time would need to continue to raise the bar. The competition wasn't baste on weather you could just fling your body over the bar at a set height but that you had the ability to increase your height with each jump and successfully complete the jump.

The Lord has been talking to me about raising His bar in my life and in the Body of Christ. For too long we have been satisfied with the lower level. We have gotten relaxed and not desired to try to reach a higher bar. At times we have been even satisfied with just watching others reach the higher levels and grasp onto the lie that it's not for us. My brother was told by my parents and family he was too tall for pole vaulting and that's why he struggled. I didn't think so because when I watched the Olympics I saw how tall these men and women are. I believe people do make excuses for us or we come up with them on their own. My brothers ability to successfully vault over the higher heights was not determined by his size or build but his discipline in practice and the want to.

Some where between 70-80% of Americans state they are of the Christian faith but choose to not walk as a believer. We see constantly in the world around us that some of the greatest offenses people experience are from those who call themselves Christians but walk another walk. I feel strongly the Lord is done with that and He is starting to raise the bar. We can either opt out and watch while others choose to go higher or continue to stay at our current state, but there is a price to pay with that choice.

I used to stay after school and watch my brother and the team practice. I enjoyed that but I could not call myself a pole vaulter just because I watched during practice I did not actually participate. Why do we then believe we can call ourselves Christians in name only and sit by the sidelines? I was not invited to attend the track meets and had no authority with the team because I was a spectator only. Too many Christians title themselves as believers but never actually run the race.

Jesus came to raise the bar. He told us in the New Testament that He did not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill it. If we have hatred in our hearts then that is just as bad as committing a murder or if we think lustful thoughts we have just committed adultery. We take our standards and place them on the unsaved. We judge severely those not walking with the Lord but constantly extend mercy to one another. I think we have this backwards. I am not stating that we shouldn't extend mercy towards each other but listen to this example..."There is a man living with a woman and they have 4 children. A believer judges that man for his actions. He treats that man as an outcast because of his sin constantly condeming him for his actions. However, this believers friend is dealing with p*rn*graphy. He tells the man God forgives you and there is grace for you when you sin."

We need to reverse this. The man not walking with the Lord living with the woman needs God's love. He needs to know God's mercy. The man's friend dealing with the sin issue doesn't need a spiritual bandaid but somone to help him breakfree and maybe a little tough love. Does that make sense? Let's stop using the fine tooth comb on the unbelieving world who doesn't even know God. Let's begin to raise the bar for one another. Let's get the Body off of the side lines and into the game. Next time you go out remember you represent the Living Body of Christ. The standard is raised. You may be the only example of a real believer others may see. Allow the Holy Spirit to quicken your spirit. Is your attitude right? Are you patient when the world is anxious? Do you bless others above and beyond what they asked for instead of trying to get something from them.

I will leave you with this one personal example. We have a friend who works on our vehicles when it is beyond my Knights ability. He is not saved. Every time he works on our cars we ask the Lord how much to bless him beyond what he charges. Mr. K has asked us repeatedly why. My Knight responds with "You are a blessing to us and we want to bless you." Mr. K has told us that he has not met Christians like us. They have tried to rip him off in the end and then asked him to church. We send a lot of business his way but are cautious at the same time. My Knight keeps a tight reign on who we send because we don't want to indanger this relationship with a "Christian" trying to rip him off. He is on the verge of salvation. Some have asked us why don't we tell him it's wrong to live with a woman? When he gets saved I believe the Lord's love with so fill him that the Holy Spirit will move in and take care of that. Right now we are called to be God's love to him and his family. It's time church.

We may stumble sometimes but don't give up. I saw my brother and others knock down the bar many times or even fall while attempting the jump but they kept going. We may not always hit the mark on the first run but it is the attempt that counts. It is time to become the Spotless Bride of Christ without blemish or wrinkle. It is possible because all things are possible with Christ.