An Imbalanced Christian Life

John M. Buttrey II

 We hear a lot today about balance. We are encouraged to have a balanced diet with the foods we eat. We hear of the need for balance between our work and home life. In order to get fit, we are told we need a balanced exercise routine. Balance in areas such as these is important. 

   All this talk of balance may find us seeking to balance our activities in the world with our Christianity. If you were to put your life activities on a balance scale, with one side being the world, and the other being your spiritual activities as a Christian, which side would be heavier?

   For some, the scale might look like the one pictured above. This would certainly be considered an imbalanced Christian life, with the imbalance favoring the world. Jesus described this type of imbalance in the parable of the sower, when He described the seed sown among the thorns:

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). 

   In the same way, James was very bold and to the point, when he wrote:

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world sets himself as an enemy of God (James 4:4). 

   Recognizing this imbalance, we might strive to seek for a balanced scale. 

   Jesus again addressed the problem pictured on the above scale.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (Matt. 6:24 Emphasis Mine). 

   While balance might seem like the very thing we need, shouldn’t we really be seeking an imbalance? No, we should not seek the imbalance pictured earlier, but rather an imbalance where our activities as Christians outweigh everything else! 

  Yes, imbalance is exactly what we need! In this way, Jesus instructed us:

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 Emphasis Mine). 

The apostle Paul put it like this:

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth (Col. 3:2 Emphasis Mine). 

The inspired writer of Hebrews also spoke in this regard: 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV Emphasis Mine). 

   As Christians, we must tip the scales in favor of the things of God. If we will make such an effort, we will find more time for prayer, Bible study, evangelism, giving, visiting the sick, and all sorts of other activities. Remember, the things of God outweigh in importance the recreational and social activities that generally weigh us down with commitments and lack of time for God.  

   Let’s all take a close look at the scale this week, and see if we can start tipping it in favor of the things of God.