“Balance”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

Balance is essential to many areas of life. Without balance, we cannot walk. Without mental “balance,” we can be considered insane. Similarly, balance is critical in the life of a Christian. Without balance, a Christian tends to focus on certain things to the exclusion of others of equal and perhaps greater importance. Sometimes, folks call this “hobby-riding” when we focus on one doctrine or practice to the exclusion of other teachings found in the Bible. Remember, we are to teach “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), not just certain parts, to the exclusion of other parts.

 

Some Who Lack Balance

            A lack of balance is evident in the father, who is a “workaholic.” Yes, we need to be honorably employed (II Thess. 3:10; Eph. 4:28), but our work cannot be allowed to overrun all other aspects of our lives! Too many people think of a “good provider” only in terms of the father who earns money for the family. Folks, we must remember that provision is just as much a spiritual responsibility as physical! If we fathers neglect our spiritual responsibilities to the family, how can we say we are truly providing (I Tim. 5:8)? The consequences of this imbalance can be severe, leading to a lack of spiritual nourishment and growth in the family. Ephesians 6:4 speaks specifically to “fathers...”! Are we listening?

            Lack of balance is evident when we see mothers who are too busy with their careers to obey the Biblical mandate “to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4-5). Yes, many wives and mothers have a job to help the family budget, but this job must not be allowed to overtake her life to the point that she is not fulfilling her responsibilities as a wife and mother! Just as father needs balance, so does mother!

 

Balance In Our Lives

            Balance needs to be maintained as we struggle for time alone with God and then to make time to speak with others about God. We need to do both, you know! Here are some practical tips: we need time to pray alone (I Thess. 5:17). We need time to “be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10, 4:4). We need time for the study of God’s word (II Tim. 2:15), to meditate upon it and allow that word to “dwell in (us) richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16a). We also need to be speaking and spreading that word that we have learned to others (II Tim. 2:2) — Balance!

 

Balance In The Church

            It is evident that balance must be maintained in this war to win souls. First, we must be like Jesus, ready to open our mouths and speak the truth to instruct folks and win precious souls to Christ (Matt. 5:1; Acts 8:35, 10:34). Yet, not only must we be diligent in winning the lost (II Tim. 2:2; Mk. 16:15; etc.), but we must also make sure that we do not lose the saved (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10b)! This is yet another example of balance!

            Yet, if all we are doing as a church is “keeping house” and satisfied with few, if any, additions, then this is unbalanced action on our part! Many congregations make no effort, or minimal effort, to win lost souls (even though this is God’s command) because this means they have to get out of their “comfort zone.” Such congregations eventually wither and die because they lack balance.

            We must urgently strive for balance in our evangelism, reaching out to the lost while also nurturing the saved. It seems some have adopted a “sink-or-swim” policy toward the folks they were instrumental in bringing to Christ! In other words, they have an attitude that says, “We worked hard to teach you and win you to Christ. We have baptized you into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Now, we’re done with you. You must make it on your own.” Bad mistake! As one brother said, winning souls became just a “numbers game” to him until he learned better. Let us not fall into that trap.

            In either case, whether it is Christians who do not teach others or churches who ignore the spiritual needs of the brethren, both problems stem from a lack of balance! We must seek out lost people (Lk. 19:10; II Tim. 2:2). It is always great to save the lost. Yet, in our effort to win lost souls, let us be careful not to lose the saved! — Balance!

 

Balance In Preaching

            In the first century, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2). In this short verse, we see balance described. We find balance when observing “how” we are to preach (reprove, rebuke, exhort). We also see balance as we note the characteristic that must be seen in all our preaching, namely, “all longsuffering and doctrine.” In other words, a preacher must reprove “with all longsuffering and doctrine,” rebuke “with all longsuffering and doctrine,” and exhort “with all longsuffering and doctrine”! In this way, we again see balance maintained in the preacher and his preaching!

            As a preacher of the gospel, I have opportunities to teach lost people. I also have the privilege of preaching to the saved! This is not something I decided to do. The Bible is clear that those who preach the gospel need to preach the truth to the lost and to the saved! Jesus did this, as did the apostles, and in following their example, so must I (I Cor. 11:1)! Such actions demand balance to ensure that lost folks get the lessons they need and that the saved folks get what they need! Balance also demands that personal applications be made in those sermons preached to benefit all!

 

Struggling To Maintain Balance

            Those reading this article are not reading words from someone who has figured out how to be “balanced” at all times! Instead, the article is written by someone who recognizes the need for balance and struggles daily!

            Yes, it is a daily commitment to be balanced in preaching/teaching. It is a daily struggle to maintain balance as a parent “even when” I am tired! I must make it a daily goal that my duties toward God, others, and self be balanced. We must examine ourselves to make sure that we are what we need to be daily and then make changes when necessary (Heb. 12:15; II Cor. 13:5; I Cor. 11:28; I Thess. 5:21; Jas. 1:25).

            It is a daily struggle for us all to be balanced, isn’t it? Yet, consider the alternative! Lack of balance causes the walking man to fall; it can even scramble our brains! (Remember the beginning of this article?) Let us all strive to be a balanced people, for in doing so, we will please God!