Become Uncivilized

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Milan Ford

It is very rare to encounter any one my age or older that was not a huge fan of the Rocky movie series growing up. The popular boxing saga starring Sylvester Stallone, consisted of six films over the span of thirty years. Although many would agree that the last few installments weren’t exactly fan favorites, the first three films were truly awe inspiring.

My favorite of all the films by far was Rocky III.

Now just in case there may be someone reading this that has lived on the planet Mars for most of their life, and did not see that movie, here’s a brief summary:

Rocky Balboa, a once struggling Italian boxer from Philadelphia, who used to work in a meat factory and serve as a debt collector for a city crime boss, has recently been given a shot to compete for the boxing heavyweight championship of the world by Apollo Creed, the champion at the time. As the ultimate underdog, Rocky Balboa shocks the world and defeats Apollo Creed after only two attempts.

And now, with newfound fame and riches, Rocky Balboa sets out to defend his title as the new world champion. For three years, Balboa successfully defends his title without very little effort. But then (insert suspenseful music here) Clubber Lang appears on the scene.

Lang, a flamboyant and powerful boxer in his own right, has become the No. 1 contender, and has issued a challenge to Rocky Balboa to compete for the crown. Just as Rocky prepares to accept Lang’s challenge, Rocky’s trainer, manager, and mentor, Mickey Goldmill, stuns Rocky when he tells him that he should not accept the challenge.

Despite Rocky’s ability to defend his title successfully in the past, Mickey explains in the quotation below why this new challenge would result in a tragic defeat.

“...the worst thing happened (to you) that could have happened to any fighter – you got civilized.”

I just love that quote.

Simply because as it relates to matters of faith and our individual pursuits of God’s purpose in our lives, the worst thing you and I can ever become as believers is civilized.

Now I realize that this may come as a slight surprise since we tend to use the word civilized as something we should encourage others to aspire to, but when it comes to the many obstacles you and I must face in this life, obstacles that we must fight and conquer, a civilized faith and posture in God will result in defeat time after time.

According to Webster’s definition, the world civilized means to be easy to manage or control; to bring out of a primitive state; to be marked by refinement in taste and manners; to become cultured.

Do you remember when you first became a follower of Christ? There was absolutely nothing on earth that could stop or derail you from your relationship with God.

No co-worker.
No family member.
No crazy church usher.
No job layoff.
No credit report.
Not even the devil himself could distract you from the good fight of faith.

But after a few rounds in the ring of life, after knocking out a few goals and competitors off our list, and after hearing the roaring sound of applause over the years, many of us have become civilized and settled in a pattern of faith that will no longer yield us the victory we are looking for now.

This quest for civilization and normalcy in our lives has unfortunately plagued many of our churches as well, causing our gatherings on Sunday morning to often be filled with retired fighters longing for a glimpse of their glory days, rather than being filled with hungry, uncivilized believers of God, ready to knock down the very gates of hell.

Today, there is very little reason to ring the fight bell, because very few believers today want to fight any more. In fact, very few even want the training necessary to win.

Today, I pray you will become the exception to the rule. The world is waiting ringside to see what authentic, committed, and uncivilized faith in God really looks like.

So, if you’re up to the challenge, but just in need a little inspiration to get you started,I believe I have just the thing for you.


Now, let’s get ready to rumble!!
(Sorry. I've always wanted to say that!)