Calvary Road Baptist Church
“ASSUME THE POSITION”
Romans 12.18
I frequently wonder what kind of a coach I might have been. Oh, I did coach one of our sports ministry teams, I think. It was long ago. But I have never been in a position where I could give myself unreservedly to the coaching of a team.
I think that coaching is quite important in a child’s life. A coach can affect a boy’s entire approach to sports and can greatly influence whatever future success a boy might enjoy if the coach sees where he properly fits into a boy’s life.
In my lifetime, there has been only one truly great man who coached boys. His name was John Wooden, and he was, without doubt, and was considered by one and all, the consummate coach of boys. Different than the best professional coaches, the Red Auerbachs, the Vince Lombardis, the Sparky Andersons, John Wooden coached boys and not men and was concerned about the development of the whole person, not only winning. So concerned was John Wooden with the development of the whole person in his coaching career that not one single player who ever played for him ever heard him make any reference whatsoever to winning. His concern, you see, wasn’t competition. It was doing your best.
For that reason, though he would recruit the best players he could, he frequently passed on talented players who hadn’t demonstrated sufficient character to be teachable. The players with raw talent, but with no character, would instead be snatched up by Jerry Tarkanian or Eddie Sutton or Lute Olsen, or coaches interested in winning, not character development.
Never let it be said about John Wooden that he was a molder of young men’s personalities only. He was also the most technically astute of coaches. Not only did he know the game of basketball so well as to devise radically different offenses and defenses that were tailored to the physical talents and limitations of his players, but he also knew how to get the very best physical performance out of each player.
Perhaps it was observed by coaches and athletes before John Wooden, but never has a coach majored on so subtle a point that is so vital to athletic performance as John Wooden did. He took note of, and both taught and trained his players that almost every athlete in almost every sport does what he does from the same basic stance or position.
With few exceptions, whether it be baseball or karate, whether it be ballet or golf, whether it be wrestling or volleyball, whether it be ice skating or tennis, the athlete must, before he or she can properly do what it is he or she has in mind, from shoot a basket to field a grounder to hit a baseball, assume the position.
So important is it to an athlete’s success that he or she be taught to assume the position that the coach of beginners and intermediates and advanced players who neglect this starting place of all athletic endeavor quite simply is not a good coach. He ignores the fundamental position from which most athletics begins to the detriment of his players. And as a result of his neglect better coached, but less athletic, players will out-perform his players individually.
The good coach, and certainly the great coach, will figure out a way to pound into his players, will devise a way to drill into their consciousness, will conjure some method to train and to teach his players to “assume the position.” And why will he do this? It’s the key to success.
In the spiritual realm, as well, there is a position to assume. There is a posture that is the starting point from which virtually all spiritual endeavors begin. And what is that starting point? Peace.
In Romans 12.18, the Apostle Paul states that posture which his directions of the several previous verses have been aiming toward, the posture which is the vital and necessary starting point for most Christian ministry.
In Romans 12.18, we read about the position we are to assume to effectively serve God and minister in the lives of men:
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
We examine Paul’s statement by considering, first, the requirement, and, then, the restrictions:
First, THE REQUIREMENT, WHICH IS TO LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN
Consider this requirement for just a moment:
First, to live peaceably with people. The idea of peace is quite different in God’s Word from what most people think of as peace. If you look up the word peace in the dictionaries, you will most likely find peace to be defined as the absence of hostility. But the absence of open hostility isn’t God’s idea of peace. In both the Old and New Testaments the idea of peace goes so far as to include the positive aspects of goodwill and the welfare of others as a hallmark of peace. So, to live peaceably with people does not only mean that you don’t fight with them. Neither does it only mean that you don’t have harsh feelings for them. Finally, it does not mean that you have no relations with people at all. To live peaceably with men means to establish and maintain good relations with them. To live peaceably with men means to live harmoniously with them and to seek their good and their welfare.
But the requirement isn’t to live peaceably with men; it’s to live peaceably with all men. This means that the requirement is universal in its scope. This requirement extends to everyone. This means that, insofar as is possible, you are to live peaceably with every man, every woman, every boy, and every girl, that you come into contact with. Not merely the absence of hostilities, mind you, but the establishing of good relations and the seeking of the welfare of that other person. Whether he be white, whether he be black, whether he be Asian or Hispanic. Whether he be rich or poor, clean or dirty. Do I have an “Amen”? Can you imagine what kind of person you will end up being if you seriously consider obeying this portion of God’s Word? You will be a friendly person. You will be one of those few who says “Hi” to just about everyone you encounter. You will meet your neighbors and converse with them. You’ll be one of those people who walk down the street and talks to folks, not just a zombie who says “Howzit going?” as you divert your gaze to avoid eye contact because you are interested in much more than just the absence of hostilities. You want to establish good relations with everyone. Hey, you may even invite visitors to Church over to your house to eat lunch after services. And how important is it that the Christian heed this admonition to live peaceably with all men? Let’s deal with that before we move on. James 3.17:
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
If you are, among other things, peaceable, you show yourself to be wise. For wise is the person who seeks to establish and maintain good relations with all men. And not wise after the fashion of men. Oh no. This is wisdom that’s from above, that’s demonstrated by being peaceable. Hebrews 12.14:
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
This is interesting. Following peace with all men is companion to personal holiness. And personal holiness is an undeniable characteristic of anyone who genuinely knows Jesus Christ, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Living peaceably, then, is bound up, in some way, with living a clean life before the Lord. First Thessalonians 5.23:
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This word “sanctify” refers to being progressively set aside by God, set apart for Him, and is related to being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, which is God’s goal for every believer.[1] And how does Paul describe the God Who does this work in our lives, Christian? “The God of peace.” The God Who is not content with the absence of hostilities, but Who seeks to establish and maintain good relations, is the God Who works in Christian’s lives. This being peaceable is taking on more and more importance. Amen? Ephesians 6.15:
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
This is an important verse. But we’ll hold off on this one, for now, and come back to it later. First Corinthians 14.33:
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
This verse shows, among other things, that God is the author of peace. And this should be no surprise to any of us, should it? We know from James 1.17 that every good and perfect gift comes from God. He is the ultimate source of all that is good. It’s only reasonable to expect that peace, which is a good thing, comes from Him, as well. So, it’s an important part of the Christian’s lifestyle, and a characteristic pattern of the believer’s behavior, to be peaceable, to establish and maintain relationships that seek the good and the welfare and the benefit of others, as these verses that we’ve seen clearly show.
BUT THERE’S A SECOND PART TO OUR TEXT. THERE ARE THE RESTRICTIONS.
Is living peaceably with all men so important that we are to place it first among our list of priorities? All but the newest Christians and perhaps all but the most compromising of believers have an idea where I’m heading now. There are two restrictions placed upon the Christian’s efforts to live peaceably with all men:
First, Paul writes, “If it be possible.” If “peaceable” is understood to be a word that describes the state of a relationship between two people, then it must be understood that the relationship is necessarily dependent upon both of those people. That means, my ability to live peaceably is dependent upon him and me. The phrase, “if it be possible,” suggests the him part of this equation. I cannot establish peaceful relations with someone who is intent upon war, who is intent upon unfriendliness, who is intent upon conflict with me, or who is intent upon violence. It’s not possible. If you attempt to establish peaceful relations with someone who will not allow it, who will not respond to your overtures, who insist on violence or hostility, then you are not obligated by God to pretend that things are the way they are not.
Second, Paul writes, “As much as lieth in you.” What is meant by Paul here is for the believer to give it his best shot, to use the resources of ingenuity and opportunity and whatever else God equips you with to seek to live peaceably with all men. Most of the time, when I am seeking to deal with the lost husband of a Christian woman, the husband will do almost everything he can get away with to avoid meeting me and then becoming friends with me. He knows what I am about. So, he will do this, or he will do that, or he will do the other thing. Some men have gone to the bathroom and stayed for two hours when I visited. Other men pretend that they are so interested in Wheel of Fortune that they can’t possibly talk to me. Still other men, all of a sudden, begin to play with their kids as they’ve never played with them before ... when I’m there. Anything to keep me from being peaceable with them. And what can I do? Humanly speaking, I can only do what I can do. I go by and visit. I try to be friendly. I seek his friendship. But if it takes more than I have to give or offer, unless God intervenes in the situation, I can do no more.
Before a linebacker can make a tackle, before the quarterback can take the snap from center, before the infielder can move to field the ground ball, before the tennis player can move to return serve, before the golfer begins his backswing, he must assume the position. So important is the position, to the wrestler preparing for the takedown, to the ballet dancer preparing for the jump, to the base runner preparing to steal a base, that there can be no reasonable expectation of success until the athlete first assumes the position.
And the same thing is true for the Christian. Christian, you must assume the position. Not physical posture or stance, mind you. It’s a spiritual position that Paul is writing about here. It’s a relationship that must be established in the lives of others as a prelude to ministry in their lives.
So, when you do what can be done to live peaceably with all men, overcoming what restrictions you are able that you find in your way, then you are in a position to do what needs to be done. “And what needs to be done, Pastor?” you ask. Why, seek to bring people to Christ, of course. You make peace between yourself and another person so that you can then do your best to make peace between that person and God.
Remember, Ephesians 6.15? Paul refers to the Gospel of peace. And why does he call our message the Gospel of peace? Because the Gospel which we preach is the only remedy for the state of spiritual warfare that exists between God and sinful man. Please turn to Romans 5.10:
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”
Paul is indicating that he (and the same is true with everyone) was an enemy of God before submitting to the claims of the Gospel. So, whether you realize it or not, if you are here without Jesus Christ, you and God are enemies.
Understand, it takes two people to establish a peaceable relationship. One person can’t do it without the cooperation of the other. So, if you think for one moment, that you will ever be able to establish peace between you and God any way other than the cross ... you are sadly and tragically mistaken. Romans 5.1 declares,
“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
That’s the way, that’s the only way, for peace to ever exist between you and God. And as a prelude to presenting the saving Gospel to you, I want to establish peaceable relations with you.
Does that make some lost people angry, that I want to become friends with them so that I can win them to Christ? Sure it does. They think it’s underhanded and sneaky. But it’s not. Let’s look at things rightly.
First, the Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” in Matthew 5.9. And notice what Paul wrote in Second Corinthians 5.18-21:
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Christians are ambassadors for Jesus Christ, seeking to establish relations with lost men so that we can properly and effectively represent their Lord to that lost man. What, I ask you, is underhanded about doing what the Bible has told Christians to do for 2000 years?
And you can look at it another way. Who do you think you are that I would want to be your friend just because you have such a nice personality? Most people don’t become friends with people just because they have wonderful personalities. Most people become friends because they have something in common, or because they are working toward having something in common.
The great majority of friendships are based upon common sin. Folks who like to gamble, or who like to smoke dope, or who like to drink, or who like to tell dirty jokes, or who like to fornicate, or who like to go fishing when they should be worshipping and serving God. And they will put up with the most absurd personality quirks because they feel the negatives are offset by the fact that they have their sin in common. So, no one should flatter themselves so much as to be offended because I like them for what I can do for them and not because they have such great personalities. For crying out loud, my personality is lousy. I know that. But what I have in common with you folks is Jesus Christ. I trust that He makes me tolerable to you. I know that He makes you tolerable to me. Amen? And He’s enough.
We assume the position, much like the athlete assumes the position, so that we will be in a position to take advantage of an opportunity to win someone to Jesus Christ, rescuing them from eternal Hellfire, seeing them receive forgiveness of sins and a new life in Christ.
Christian. Do you want to know the main reason why so many bring so few people to Christ? They’re not very friendly. They don’t meet new people very well. They are not peaceable with all men. When you start being peaceable with everyone, meeting new friends, being friendly ... then your opportunities to win folks to Christ will greatly increase.
And you who are lost. You who have never trusted Christ. Don’t be offended when a Christian befriends you so he can introduce you to Christ. It’s better than some guy befriending you just so he can commit sin with you, or so that he can commit sin to you. Amen? After all, you do need Jesus Christ as your Savior. Additionally, the only way you’ll ever listen to anyone tell you about Jesus Christ is if he’s a friend. And what better friend can you have than someone who became your friend so he could introduce you to Jesus Christ?
Yes, we are to live peaceably with all men. We are to establish relationships as a prelude to seeing folks come to Christ. What in the world do you think our different ministries are all about?
Kid comes to Sunday School or the occasional softball game. Coach or player establishes a relationship with the kid, is peaceable toward him. Then he uses that as a springboard to bringing the kid to Christ and then bringing the parents to Christ. Same goes for Wenona and her monthly Saturday morning event.
But after we see that person come to Christ, after we have capitalized on that friendship, that peaceable relationship, do we leave the guy on his own? No. That person, who is now my brother or sister in Christ, is my friend for life. For life!
I will befriend him, pray for him, exhort him to do right, strive to teach him God’s Word, and do everything I can to see his life count for something for Jesus Christ. So you see, living peaceably with someone is only the beginning. My goal is to live alongside and serve God with that person ... forever.
Well, it’s time to draw this message to a close. But as I do, I have one more thing to say” “Lost person. Can I be your friend? And if we already are friends, can I tell you about my Lord Jesus?”
__________
[1] Romans 8.29
Question? Comment?
Would you like to contact Dr. Waldrip about this sermon? Fill out the form below to send him an email. Thank you.