THE MASTER’S MATHEMATICIANS

We will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

Today’s word of encouragement is rooted in the fact that, as a disciple of Christ, you have been called to be good at the basic skills of math: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. How are your mathematical skills? Have you been putting them to good use for the glory of God? Let’s take a look.

ADDITION

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

SUBTRACTION

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)

MULTIPLICATION

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

DIVISION

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

To be sure, our Master has called us to be mathematicians. And it is equally certain that we are all stronger in some areas and weaker in others, which is why we need to examine ourselves on a regular basis, just as our math teachers tested us when we were in school. We are to be adding knowledge to our faith . . . subtracting all that is earthly and fleshly from our lives . . . multiplying our love for all those God puts on our path . . . and rightly dividing the Word of truth.

The better we become as mathematicians for our Master, the better we will be able to glorify our God and bring the Good News of eternal good to others . . . all others.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!