Thursday – The Bicycle Theory of Faith

Have you ever watched a child learning to ride a bike? They're so focused on pedalling that they often forget to steer, or they're so worried about steering that they then stop pedalling altogether. It takes time to manage both at once!

Our Christian life requires a similar balance. We're called to love God and to love others, and we can't do one properly without the other.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

Notice how practical this verse is. It's not enough to simply love other believers in our hearts. We're to actively think of ways – actual, specific ways – to motivate each other towards love and good works. The writer assumes our faith will be lived out in community, spurring each other on.

But here's what I've noticed over the years. When my relationship with God grows cold, I withdraw from others. I might be present in body, but my spirit has disengaged. And when I isolate myself from Christian community, my faith withers. The two relationships are interconnected. We can't maintain one whilst neglecting the other.

John puts it rather bluntly: if we claim to love God but hate our brother or sister, we're liars. Ouch! Our love for God is demonstrated through our love for others. Our worship on Sunday is authenticated by our actions on Monday.

The early church understood this. They didn't just pray together. They shared their possessions. They didn't just worship together. They ate in each other's homes. Their faith moved in both directions – upwards to God and outwards to others.

Prayer: Father, help us to love you with our whole hearts and to love others as tangible proof of that love. Show us practical ways to encourage one another today. Amen.

Reflection Question: What specific way could you motivate another Christian towards love and good works this week?