Forty-Day Immersion: Day 8

The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way - never have and never will. 10:4 The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. 10:5 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 10:6 Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, The Message

Day 8

How do we create a team that will really function at a high level?

We can examine the approach taken in this passage concerning negatives that have to be changed, and apply them in the opposite to positives that need to be strengthened.

Principle #1 – We aren’t dog-eat-dog. We don’t gnaw on each other and devour each other in some mad scramble for the “three deadly p’s” – pride, position and power. We don’t live effectively if we live our lives that way, dominated by the old nature and seeking to dominate others. How can we ever be free if we want to control others?

Principle #2 – Live the life or shut up. It’s not about marketing, it’s about being real – and being real gives such magnetic freedom that the life markets itself. We don’t have to give away toasters, just a true life story about how we are changed and continue to change! through Christ. We don’t have to twist any arms, either. Are we extending an invitation, or making a threat?

Principle #3 - Tear down the barriers. Refuse to accept any and all artificial barriers that separate us. Skin color. Hair color. Age. Sex. Language. Neighborhoods. Regions, like the insane distinction we make as Americans between the north and the south. Accents. Nationality. Background. Looks. Music. Income. Physical characteristics. Status. Educational backgrounds. Whatever you add to the list, fine; just remember to throw it out for the trash it is. If God destroyed every barrier between us and Him through Jesus Christ, what idiots are we to pick through the rubble and build the walls of separation again?

Principle #4 - Build the team. The team is people, and people are the team. Build them, and you build the team. Build the team, and you build the potential. Build the potential, and you build the impact. Build the impact, and you change the culture.

It’s not all about me or you – but it has to start with me and you. Build!