In 1900, the amount of human knowledge was doubling every 100 years. By 1950, it was doubling every 25 years. Now, the collection of human knowledge is doubling every year! With so much specialized and valuable information available, there are times when it makes good sense to find a trusted expert to rapidly gain a better understanding of our world. In his bestseller “Outliers“, Malcolm Gladwell claimed that it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert in a discipline (medicine) or with a talent (violinist). Few of us will become experts in anything, much less in several areas of knowledge or skills. Thankfully, God has provided us with people who are passionate and proficient at what they do (entertainers, scientists, doctors, historians, mechanics, writers, etc.) and are willing to provide their expertise to benefit others.
Since the amount of information and knowledge on any subject is overwhelming and intimidating, we can become comfortable merely relying on experts and not bothering to learn or decide anything for ourselves. But we are missing something if we only rely on experts and never bother to do things for ourselves. Even if we never win an Olympic gold medal, there are benefits to exercising and participating in sports. Even if we never become an Iron Chef, cooking for your family and with your children brings benefits that take-out pizza cannot provide. But no do-it-yourself activity is more important than to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2)
God has blessed His church with gifted teachers, dedicated elders, and trusted pastors. We are all commanded to submit to their leadership and to learn from their instruction. With millennia of Judeo-Christian scholarship spanning countless nations, languages, and people groups, few of us can spare 10,000 hours to become an expert in even a little corner of theology, church history, Scriptural exegesis, apologetics, etc. However we must not let the vast amount of Christian knowledge and the expertise of other believers dissuade us from following Jesus for ourselves and deliberately pursuing increasing faithfulness in our own lives. A second-hand faith cannot save anyone. Charles Spurgeon said it well, “believing is the distinct act of a person. … There can be no such thing as sponsorship in receiving Christ or in faith. … You must believe for yourself.” In modern terms, we cannot outsource our faith.
Consider the time we spend with God. How dependent are we on modern conveniences that were not available to Christians 1,000 years ago? If we’re listening to a sermon, enjoying music, or reading a book, we risk being just a spectator watching an expert do their thing rather than actively “working out our own salvation.” Prayer, the sacraments, Scripture meditation, fasting, serving others, singing, fellowship, and worship have never required a library, the internet, or a cell phone. We must not think we’re too sophisticated to use the simple, old fashioned “means of grace” to strengthen our faith. Each of us can rely on the Holy Spirit (the expert’s expert) to transform us into the image of Christ. Our past should not discourage us and worrying about tomorrow should not distract us. We need to make the most of today. In modern terms, we should “just do it.”