City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

Reflection

About ten years ago, I was in Palm Springs, California, to play golf on a beautiful golf course with a good friend. I was on vacation. I was in a good mood, and I was looking forward to playing well.

We teed off at 11:45 a.m., so I ordered a cheeseburger, one of my favorites meals (I’m a man of simple tastes), from the snack bar at the first tee. I then hit a great drive off the first tee, hopped into the golf cart, and as we drove down the first fairway, I bit into my burger. I knew immediately it didn’t taste right. Sure enough, it was barely cooked, and I couldn’t eat it. Now I’m thinking I’m going to be hungry for two hours until we get back to the snack bar at the turn, and I’m not happy when I’m hungry.

We then arrive at my ball in the fairway, but I’m still thinking about the burger and being hungry for the next two hours. As a result, I hit my second shot right of the green, make a bad chip, and make a bogey. (If you are not a golfer, just understand that a bogey is not good). 

The second tee box was not level on the left side, and as a result, when I took my stance to hit my tee shot, my feet were below the level of the ball, which naturally produces a shot that curves to the left. But I’m not thinking about that because I’m still simmering about the $10 I just wasted on the Palm Springs burger tartare. So, I proceed from the left side of the tee box and naturally hook the ball out of bounds. Two-stroke penalty; and I have to hit again from the tee box. Now I’m hungry and angry. Inside I’m starting to boil. 

I hit my second shot down the fairway, and we hop in the cart and head down the fairway, but the lady they’ve paired us with gets to the balls first and promptly hits hers in to the water. I walk over to the other ball and see it’s a scuffed up Prostaff. Now, if you a not a golfer, you need to know a Prostaff is—and no disrespect to Prostaff—a cheap golf ball used by less-skilled players. I haven’t played a Prostaff since I was twelve years old. So I asked the lady what ball she just hit. She says, “Titleist 3,”—my brand new $5 Pro V1x Titleist 3. (The Titleist Pro V1x is the ball most professionals play and is the most expensive ball in golf). Now I’m two holes into the round, I’m hungry, I’m out $20, and I’m about to be 3 over par. 

The lady quickly apologizes and says she owes me a ball, and as I’m reaching into my bag to get another ball I mumble something like, “Don’t worry about it.” But inside I’m angry, and what I’m really thinking and wanting to say is, “What is wrong with you? How can you not tell the difference between a cheap scuffed up Prostaff and a brand new Titleist Pro V1x?” Terrible, I know, but there it is.

So, what does this story have to do with the scripture above about imitating God? I believe it is illustrative of the three stages of sanctification. Here’s what I mean. Looking back, I could have responded three different ways to our female golfing partner: (1) I could have told her what was really in my heart, which would have been rude; (2) I could have covered up what was really in my heart by saying something I didn’t really mean (what I did), which was polite but not completely righteous; or (3) I could have felt rightly about the situation (recognizing she simply made a mistake, and it wasn’t a big deal) and said what I felt (“Don’t worry about it. It’s not a big deal”).

These three possible responses are indicative of three stages of sanctification. The first is where we act out the unrighteousness of our heart. There is a congruence between our inward thoughts and outward conduct, but it is unrighteous. The second is where we recognize the unrighteousness in our heart but we mask it with conduct that is outwardly righteous. There is incongruity between what is in our heart and how we act; others don’t see it (hopefully), but we have to make a considerable effort to conceal what we really think or feel. The third is where our inward thoughts are righteous and we act accordingly. There is a congruity, but unlike the first stage, it is a congruity of righteousness. 

The third stage is the goal of sanctification. It’s where Jesus lived. It’s a place where you can be yourself because who you are on the inside is how you should act. It is what Paul means when he says to be “imitators of God.” We are to be imitators not just in action but in our hearts, not just on the outside but on the inside as well. I know I’m not there, but I’m closer than when I began as a Christian many years ago, and I’m confident I’ll be closer tomorrow. I just wish I could be as confident about my golf game. 

Application

Are you asking God to create in you a clean heart, one that manifests the goodness, righteousness, and love of God? I can only imagine that it is wonderful place to be, a place one needn’t worry about pretense because there is nothing in one’s heart to conceal because who you are on the inside is the image of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, please conform me to your image, both inside and out. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.