[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during November 2025]
Could do better … should try harder
Were you one of those pupils whose end-of-term reports included one or other of those statements, or even both? How did you react?
One response is to be dismissive – teachers always say that and, anyway, why should I make myself miserable striving for 100% when 75% is adequate? Surely there is more to life than chasing unachievable ideals.
And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 1 v17 [ESVUK]
The comments can be taken as a reproach, a rebuke for laziness or disinterest in studying. In defence, why should I bother with the minutiae of subjects that are of no apparent relevance to me? Perhaps if the teacher had been more interesting or more likeable then I would have paid more attention.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12 v12 [ESVUK]
Perhaps it would be better to see the comments as an incentive to do better, an encouragement to achieve greater things. It implied that the teacher had confidence in me, that I had potential that needed to be developed.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Proverbs 12 v1 [ESVUK]
Does either of those phrases come to mind when you consider your spiritual life? Is your Bible study sufficiently diligent? Are your prayers fully focused? Are you complacent about your faith, or eager to do better?
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Of course, we know that our salvation is not dependent upon any effort or achievement on our behalf. John the Baptist identified the sole basis for our salvation:
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1 v29 [ESVUK]
The apostle Paul confirmed the unique role of Jesus before encouraging his readers to build on their faith:
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw – each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it.
1 Corinthians 3 v11-13 [ESVUK]
Gratitude for our salvation should encourage us to take our spiritual growth seriously. Our teacher is the Holy Spirit – are you paying attention?
O for a closer walk with God, a calm and heav’nly frame,
a light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb!
William Cowper (1772)
References:
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys