Forthright Magazine

We train for that

2023-09-13 by Forthright Staff

BY JOHNNY O. TRAIL — A gentleman who attends the congregation I work with was a professional pilot for over 40 years. I asked him about experiences he had while flying for a major airline company, “Did you ever have any in-flight emergencies?” His response was, “Why, of course.” I requested, “Please do tell.” He then shared the following story.

“We were leaving Amsterdam when the cockpit lit up indicating that engine three was on fire. We went out over the English Channel and dumped all the fuel that supplied engine three and made an emergency landing at the airport in Amsterdam.”

When I asked him about the situation, he explained it in a calm manner. I asked, “Weren’t you scared?” He replied in a serene, level voice, “No, we train for that.”

The number of hours pilots receive in training allow them to deal with such things in a professional, collected manner.

Christians are constantly in training as they study the Bible and listen to lessons crafted from the word of God. We train by remembering and applying what we have learn from God’s Holy Writ. The Bible tells us we are well equipped for the things we face in life.

2 Timothy 3.16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Bible, God’s instruction manual, gives us all that we need to make it through life and ultimately to heaven one day. We are instructed to be a success for God.

We are trained for moral decision-making. Jeremiah 10.23-24 says, “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. O LORD, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.”

The Bible provides answers regarding all the moral problems our society faces. The student of God’s word understands that Romans chapter one is an indictment of the Gentile world that Paul lived in, and it provides a thorough explanation of the direction we are headed in as a society.

We are trained to give a defense regarding our soul’s salvation. 1 Peter 3.15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

The Bible contains a detailed explanation of what one must do to be saved, Acts 2.8; 22.16. The word of God leaves no doubt about what one must do to be saved. Mark 16.16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

We are trained to know that God is close in our struggles with temptation and is a source of comfort. 1 Corinthians 10.13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

We serve a Savior who bears our burdens in a cooperative manner.

Matthew 11.28-30 says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

We are not left defenseless against the wiles of Satan and the struggles of life.

We are trained to understand what God’s plan for marriage is about and how to have a good marriage. Matthew 19.3-12 is one of the longest treatments of marriage found in the discourses of Christ. Here we learn, unlike the teachings of our society, that marriage is heterosexual in nature, Matthew 19.4, monogamous in nature, Matthew 19.5-6, lifelong in duration, Matthew 19.6, and only dissolvable for the most serious of reasons (fornication) that would allow one to potentially remarry, Matthew 19.9.

Marriages, families, and our society would be better if we followed these commands regarding God’s plan for the home.

We are trained to understand God’s plan for the family. The Bible teaches that parents are to be honored (revered) and obeyed by their children. Parents are to raise their children under the instruction and upbringing of the Lord.

Ephesians 6.1-4 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU AND YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.’ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

This same concept is discussed in the Old Testament as well, Deuteronomy 6.7.

We are trained to plan for death, Hebrews 9.27, and what paradise and heaven will be like. Unlike worldly people who die without hope, the Bible teaches there is a blessing in the death of his saints.

Revelation 14.13 says, “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’"

Even in death, we are provided with instructions—no other source is as comprehensive.

To sum things up, we are trained through God’s word to confront and successfully overcome the various problems we face in life. God has not left us without direction and instructions for righteous living.

Ecclesiastes 12.13 says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”

Johnny is a state licensed marriage and family therapist who lives in Tennessee.