The answer to the first question in the Heidelberg Catechism is this:
"That I am not my own, but belong - body and soul, in life and in death - to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to Him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on live for Him."
Is this true of us? Is this how we are living? Are our lives now being lived for Him? Are we not only living for Him, but also living as though we truly believe in eternal life with Him? It is the opinion of this individual that in general my "christian" peers are not living this way. Maybe it's about time we start.
Showing posts with label christian walk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christian walk. Show all posts
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Monday, January 19, 2009
In the Words of Schaeffer
The following is an excerpt from A Christian Manifesto, which should be on the top of everyone’s reading list.
We must understand that the question of the dignity of human life is not something on the periphery of Judeo-Christian thinking, but almost in the center of it (though not the center because the center is the existence of God Himself). But the dignity of human life is unbreakably linked to the existence of the personal-infinite God. It is because there is a personal-infinite God who has made men and women in His own image that they have a unique dignity of life as human beings. Human life then is filled with dignity, and the state and humanistically oriented law have no right an no authority to take human life arbitrarily in the way that it is being taken.
We must see then that indeed the cry has not been given. We must see that here, on such a central issue as abortion, the true nature of the problem [is] not understood: Christians fail to see that abortion [is] really a symptom of the much larger problem and not just one bit and piece. And beyond this as the material-energy-chance humanistic world view takes over increasingly in our country, the view concerning the intrinsic value of human life will grow less and less, and the concept of compassion for which the country is in some sense known will be further gone.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wholesale on Life
To my peers, friends, brothers and sisters:
On November 4th, just four days from this time, we will all hopefully cast our vote for the next President. This is unarguably a historic election, and would go as far as to say the gravity of this election makes it the most serious since our grandparents generation. It has become clear that the youth of America, the young voters, will essentially decided who will this country for at least the next four years. We have a heavy load upon us. The Christian youth should especially feel this burden. For months now we have heard what the candidates have to say; their policies have been laid before us and we have had a good amount of time to procure glimpses of their character and to examine the positions they stand for and why. As we mull over all the information we have acquired and determine what hole to punch, I pray that there is one issue on the forefront of all our minds and hearts – the issue of life.
Are we, self-proclaiming disciples of Christ, concerned with the moral eternal issues that will not go away? Apparently the evidence proclaims we are not. It is nauseating. Please, please, please read what I humbly, yet unapologetically, have to say.
On August 17, presidential hopeful Barrack Obama told America what he considered to be this nation’s greatest sin. He stated that the lack of caring for the weak and oppressed has been America’s most significant shortcoming. According to Obama “America’s greatest moral failure is that [this country]…does not spend enough time thinking about ‘the least of these.’” This sounds wonderful. In fact he was applauded by the Saddleback audience when Obama used this quote from Matthew 25. You know, I think Obama is right. I do not know if would say this is America’s “greatest moral failure,” but it is up there. However, the problem come in Obama’s definition of “least of these.” Apparently Obama’s grouping of the weak and oppressed does not include within in it the largest persecuted demographic in history: the unborn child.
Theodore Roosevelt, a great man and great President, once said:
“The most dangerous form of sentimental debauch is to giveexpression to good wishes on behalf of virtue while you do nothingabout it. Justice is not merely words. It is to be translated intoliving acts.”
Obama speaks of virtue, speaks of relieving the persecuted, caring for “the least of these.” Yet this same man blatantly and unrepentantly pro-abortion. He is not simply pro-abortion, he is a man who wants to make it legal to kill babies who survive failed abortions. Did you read that? Babies who survive. The facts are overwhelming. Obama wants to keep the killing of unborn children legal. But he does not stop there, he wants to expand abortion.
Right now there is a bill before Congress called the Freedom of Choice Act. This bill will do away with all limitations on abortion (look it up, read it). It is a bill that is meant to expand the practice of abortion. Do you know what Obama said concerning this bill? This is what Obama said just a year ago:
“The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing I’d
do.”
Those are his words. If you think this is not an important issue you better realize that it is important to Obama. Protecting the legalization of killing defenseless humans is so important to Obama that his first act of president will remove the little protection unborn children have. His first act will not be to lower taxes, end the war, find Bin Laden, push for clean energy, or even help resolve what he considers America’s greatest failure: the care for the unprivileged. No, on the top of Obama’s list is to make sure it is possible to legally kill a child. Can you believe a man like this had the audacity to quote Christ the Messiah; The One.
Francis Schaeffer, an amazing man, who I honestly believe was what we would call a prophet, wrote thirty years ago:
“In our day, quite rightly, there has been a hue and cry againstSome of our ancestors’ cruel viewing of the black slaves as a non-person. This was horrible indeed – an act of hypocrisy as well as cruelty. But now, by an arbitrary absolute brought in on the humanist flow, millions of unborn babies of every color of skins [and gender] are equally by law declared non-persons. Surely this, too, must be seen as an act of hypocrisy.”
For too long Christians have stood by as Postmodernism has taken over every area of life from government to the arts. Not only have we been idle, but those who have been active (the liberal church) have adopted the postmodern doctrine and no longer hold on to the Truth as the one and only standard and absolute. God will judge those who have watered down and manipulated His word in order to go with the flow and not step on any toes. Those who have separated the material life they lead from the spiritual life they claim are fooling themselves.
Roosevelt once said in reference to abortion:
“Never will I sit motionless while directly or indirectlyapology is made for the murder of the helpless.”
We are not only standing by, we are actively promoting the slaughtering of approximately 4,000 humans in the United States daily, close to 1.5 million yearly, by promoting Obama. A well known supporter of Obama, Oprah Winfrey, was talking on her show one day about the horrors of slavery and how wonderful it must have been for the freed slave to finally wake up and make decisions for himself. Has she ever thought of how the pro-abortion stance she and Obama share makes it impossible for millions of babies to ever make a decision? Those babies are not even given the option of waking up.
In the movie Swing Kids, which is set during the beginning of World War Two, there is a quote that I believe is appropriate to share with the self-proclaiming Christian youth of today:
“We must all take responsibility for what is happeningto our country. If those of us who have a voice do notraise it in outrage at the treatment of our fellow human beings we will have collaborated in their doom. It is notgood enough to raise these voices in our homes…”
The unborn child is as much my “fellow human being” as is the Jew. We all have voices, and we can all raise them this election. Raise your voice in outcry! Why are we sitting by nodding our heads in agreement as Obama talks of green energy while brushing under the rug statements like “the first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice act”! I know our nation, our world, has forgotten that there is such a thing as moral absolutes; a Truth above all else. But have we forgotten that as well? Have we accepted the death of helpless children as the way things are? Polls this year have shown that issues such as abortion and homosexual marriage are not even in the top five issues young voters are concerned with. What is more important than the moral law God has given us?! What issue or policy is more important than a precious life made in his image? Apparently the young American voter considers issues such as taxes and energy more important than protecting the lives’ of millions of weak, oppressed, persecuted babies. It is definitely not a priority of Obama’s.
Christians should be weeping over this wholesale on life. We should be praying for God’s forgiveness. And may God judge the churches that have abandoned the Truth, putting man at the center. This election is serious. If you have looked past Obama’s Marxist doctrine, please do not also look past his total disregard for the life of the unborn.
God have mercy on us.
The foes of our own household are our worst enemies; andwe can oppose them, not only by exposing them and denouncingthem, but by constructive work in planning and building reformswhich shall take into account both the economic and the moralfactors in human advance. We in America can attain our greatdestiny only by service; not by rhetoric, and that dreadful mentaldouble-dealing and verbal juggling which makes promises and repudiates them, and says one thing at one time, and the directly opposite thing at another time. Our service must be the service of deeds. – Theodore Roosevelt
On November 4th, just four days from this time, we will all hopefully cast our vote for the next President. This is unarguably a historic election, and would go as far as to say the gravity of this election makes it the most serious since our grandparents generation. It has become clear that the youth of America, the young voters, will essentially decided who will this country for at least the next four years. We have a heavy load upon us. The Christian youth should especially feel this burden. For months now we have heard what the candidates have to say; their policies have been laid before us and we have had a good amount of time to procure glimpses of their character and to examine the positions they stand for and why. As we mull over all the information we have acquired and determine what hole to punch, I pray that there is one issue on the forefront of all our minds and hearts – the issue of life.
Are we, self-proclaiming disciples of Christ, concerned with the moral eternal issues that will not go away? Apparently the evidence proclaims we are not. It is nauseating. Please, please, please read what I humbly, yet unapologetically, have to say.
On August 17, presidential hopeful Barrack Obama told America what he considered to be this nation’s greatest sin. He stated that the lack of caring for the weak and oppressed has been America’s most significant shortcoming. According to Obama “America’s greatest moral failure is that [this country]…does not spend enough time thinking about ‘the least of these.’” This sounds wonderful. In fact he was applauded by the Saddleback audience when Obama used this quote from Matthew 25. You know, I think Obama is right. I do not know if would say this is America’s “greatest moral failure,” but it is up there. However, the problem come in Obama’s definition of “least of these.” Apparently Obama’s grouping of the weak and oppressed does not include within in it the largest persecuted demographic in history: the unborn child.
Theodore Roosevelt, a great man and great President, once said:
“The most dangerous form of sentimental debauch is to giveexpression to good wishes on behalf of virtue while you do nothingabout it. Justice is not merely words. It is to be translated intoliving acts.”
Obama speaks of virtue, speaks of relieving the persecuted, caring for “the least of these.” Yet this same man blatantly and unrepentantly pro-abortion. He is not simply pro-abortion, he is a man who wants to make it legal to kill babies who survive failed abortions. Did you read that? Babies who survive. The facts are overwhelming. Obama wants to keep the killing of unborn children legal. But he does not stop there, he wants to expand abortion.
Right now there is a bill before Congress called the Freedom of Choice Act. This bill will do away with all limitations on abortion (look it up, read it). It is a bill that is meant to expand the practice of abortion. Do you know what Obama said concerning this bill? This is what Obama said just a year ago:
“The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing I’d
do.”
Those are his words. If you think this is not an important issue you better realize that it is important to Obama. Protecting the legalization of killing defenseless humans is so important to Obama that his first act of president will remove the little protection unborn children have. His first act will not be to lower taxes, end the war, find Bin Laden, push for clean energy, or even help resolve what he considers America’s greatest failure: the care for the unprivileged. No, on the top of Obama’s list is to make sure it is possible to legally kill a child. Can you believe a man like this had the audacity to quote Christ the Messiah; The One.
Francis Schaeffer, an amazing man, who I honestly believe was what we would call a prophet, wrote thirty years ago:
“In our day, quite rightly, there has been a hue and cry againstSome of our ancestors’ cruel viewing of the black slaves as a non-person. This was horrible indeed – an act of hypocrisy as well as cruelty. But now, by an arbitrary absolute brought in on the humanist flow, millions of unborn babies of every color of skins [and gender] are equally by law declared non-persons. Surely this, too, must be seen as an act of hypocrisy.”
For too long Christians have stood by as Postmodernism has taken over every area of life from government to the arts. Not only have we been idle, but those who have been active (the liberal church) have adopted the postmodern doctrine and no longer hold on to the Truth as the one and only standard and absolute. God will judge those who have watered down and manipulated His word in order to go with the flow and not step on any toes. Those who have separated the material life they lead from the spiritual life they claim are fooling themselves.
Roosevelt once said in reference to abortion:
“Never will I sit motionless while directly or indirectlyapology is made for the murder of the helpless.”
We are not only standing by, we are actively promoting the slaughtering of approximately 4,000 humans in the United States daily, close to 1.5 million yearly, by promoting Obama. A well known supporter of Obama, Oprah Winfrey, was talking on her show one day about the horrors of slavery and how wonderful it must have been for the freed slave to finally wake up and make decisions for himself. Has she ever thought of how the pro-abortion stance she and Obama share makes it impossible for millions of babies to ever make a decision? Those babies are not even given the option of waking up.
In the movie Swing Kids, which is set during the beginning of World War Two, there is a quote that I believe is appropriate to share with the self-proclaiming Christian youth of today:
“We must all take responsibility for what is happeningto our country. If those of us who have a voice do notraise it in outrage at the treatment of our fellow human beings we will have collaborated in their doom. It is notgood enough to raise these voices in our homes…”
The unborn child is as much my “fellow human being” as is the Jew. We all have voices, and we can all raise them this election. Raise your voice in outcry! Why are we sitting by nodding our heads in agreement as Obama talks of green energy while brushing under the rug statements like “the first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice act”! I know our nation, our world, has forgotten that there is such a thing as moral absolutes; a Truth above all else. But have we forgotten that as well? Have we accepted the death of helpless children as the way things are? Polls this year have shown that issues such as abortion and homosexual marriage are not even in the top five issues young voters are concerned with. What is more important than the moral law God has given us?! What issue or policy is more important than a precious life made in his image? Apparently the young American voter considers issues such as taxes and energy more important than protecting the lives’ of millions of weak, oppressed, persecuted babies. It is definitely not a priority of Obama’s.
Christians should be weeping over this wholesale on life. We should be praying for God’s forgiveness. And may God judge the churches that have abandoned the Truth, putting man at the center. This election is serious. If you have looked past Obama’s Marxist doctrine, please do not also look past his total disregard for the life of the unborn.
God have mercy on us.
The foes of our own household are our worst enemies; andwe can oppose them, not only by exposing them and denouncingthem, but by constructive work in planning and building reformswhich shall take into account both the economic and the moralfactors in human advance. We in America can attain our greatdestiny only by service; not by rhetoric, and that dreadful mentaldouble-dealing and verbal juggling which makes promises and repudiates them, and says one thing at one time, and the directly opposite thing at another time. Our service must be the service of deeds. – Theodore Roosevelt
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Life under the Son
"Of course, we do not use the word cool to describe true greatness. It is a small word. That's the point. It's cheap. And it's what millions of young people live for" (John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life).
The writer of Ecclesiastes speaks of "life under the sun"--that is, a world without God. Now whether or not this book has come to us from the hand of king Solomon -- a man blessed with extraordinary wisdom -- or some other prudent character, is not really that important. The indisputable fact remains that the author has demonstrated, in frightfully clear terms, the end result of life without God: meaninglessness.
There's a lot one could say about this. We could examine the relevancy of the the author's experiences to our current lifestyles. We could launch into a chilling description of the sinner's true state of godlessness. We could beg and plead with our fellow Christians to throw off their preocuppation with self and live a life worthy of their calling, to recoil from living a life under the sun without life in the Son.
But what good would it do? Honestly, assuming my experiences are at least relatively close to the norm, how far can such discussion go? Passion fades. Resolve deteriorates. Vision clouds.
When we allow our pleasure to supercede our purpose, how can anything truly great, noble, or good move us?
When we allow our perspective to morph into a Christ-less, self-centered vision, joy cannot last. Without the life of Christ in the soul of man, our world is reduced to a land of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential; a land of incompletion and imperfection; a land of agravating almosts and disappointing endings. If disappointment is slow in coming, we need only wait a little longer. It's coming. Only the infinite God can fully satisfy.
There's so much more to say. But the writer of ecclesiastes gives a good summary of the correct response to such a potentially meaningless lifestyle: fear God, and keep his commands; remember your creator in the days of your youth.
Such a life cannot be invoked by passionate pleading or clever rhetoric. Only the life of Christ in the soul can produce a life in Christ. And for that, you must go to the cross.
The writer of Ecclesiastes speaks of "life under the sun"--that is, a world without God. Now whether or not this book has come to us from the hand of king Solomon -- a man blessed with extraordinary wisdom -- or some other prudent character, is not really that important. The indisputable fact remains that the author has demonstrated, in frightfully clear terms, the end result of life without God: meaninglessness.
There's a lot one could say about this. We could examine the relevancy of the the author's experiences to our current lifestyles. We could launch into a chilling description of the sinner's true state of godlessness. We could beg and plead with our fellow Christians to throw off their preocuppation with self and live a life worthy of their calling, to recoil from living a life under the sun without life in the Son.
But what good would it do? Honestly, assuming my experiences are at least relatively close to the norm, how far can such discussion go? Passion fades. Resolve deteriorates. Vision clouds.
When we allow our pleasure to supercede our purpose, how can anything truly great, noble, or good move us?
When we allow our perspective to morph into a Christ-less, self-centered vision, joy cannot last. Without the life of Christ in the soul of man, our world is reduced to a land of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential; a land of incompletion and imperfection; a land of agravating almosts and disappointing endings. If disappointment is slow in coming, we need only wait a little longer. It's coming. Only the infinite God can fully satisfy.
There's so much more to say. But the writer of ecclesiastes gives a good summary of the correct response to such a potentially meaningless lifestyle: fear God, and keep his commands; remember your creator in the days of your youth.
Such a life cannot be invoked by passionate pleading or clever rhetoric. Only the life of Christ in the soul can produce a life in Christ. And for that, you must go to the cross.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
A Return
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
~John 14:27
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
~John 16:33
"But I am so weak!" Granted. But turn your eyes upward. Do you not find yourself simultaneaously bending your gaze inward through the lens of scripture and finding there a precious savior, mighty and able--yes, willing--to save? Are you not accustomed to communing with the master rebuilder who has made his home in your heart? Have you not found faithful thus far he who has promised to work a change in you?
Is your answer to all these questions 'no'? Jordan, you are blind! You have been lifted from the foaming waters, and still you thrash and fight and fear and tremble, like one doomed to destruction! Oh, tune your ear to the voice of Christ! He has spoken salvation; he is speaking peace.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
~2 Thessalonians 3:16
~John 14:27
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
~John 16:33
"But I am so weak!" Granted. But turn your eyes upward. Do you not find yourself simultaneaously bending your gaze inward through the lens of scripture and finding there a precious savior, mighty and able--yes, willing--to save? Are you not accustomed to communing with the master rebuilder who has made his home in your heart? Have you not found faithful thus far he who has promised to work a change in you?
Is your answer to all these questions 'no'? Jordan, you are blind! You have been lifted from the foaming waters, and still you thrash and fight and fear and tremble, like one doomed to destruction! Oh, tune your ear to the voice of Christ! He has spoken salvation; he is speaking peace.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
~2 Thessalonians 3:16
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
I Do Believe
I may be wrong, but my behavior seems ridiculously illogical. Consider if you will my predicament:
#1. I want to be happy. Beneath sundry motives and emotions sits this fundamental desire. I long for joy and contentment.
#2. I know where to find what I’m looking for. I know where true happiness lies. David knew also: “You have made known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
I believe with all my heart that ultimate satisfaction awaits me in God’s presence; that communion with Him constitutes joy in its purest form. I am wholly convinced that—my purpose being to glorify and enjoy God—no other occupation can possibly produce more intense contentment.
#3. Here is my problem: I cannot bring myself to strive after that which I most desire. I know what I want and I know how to get it – but I can’t. I find myself attracted to so many inferior comforts, motivated by so many illegitimate desires, and allured by so many trivial experiences.
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom 7:15).
It’s not just active sin that keeps me from my father’s presence. It’s a kind of lethargy. I know that, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us…” (2 Peter 1:3), but I move so slowly towards fuller knowledge of Christ. Here I have His words, His self revelation; here I have His faithful servants around me, constantly testifying to the power and wonder of his love. What a wretched man I am! What a stupid creature I must be! How intense the shadows of my unregenerate heart must have been that they linger still despite this radiant light of Christ and His gospel. And how great must be the love of this God, who bears with such wondrous patience the prayerlessness and lovelessness of His own children, who look up to the cross—the ultimate sacrifice, the symbol of the most intense sorrow ever experienced: the severing of the infinite bond of love between the Father and Son—and respond with such inappropriate apathy, which renders the divine gift a mere accessory to life.
So there’s something wrong with my heart still. But the situation is not desperate; the God who loved me enough to endure hell on my behalf, well aware of the depravity of my soul and the completely inappropriate response I would offer, loves me enough to bear my weakness with patience and gently bring me nearer and nearer to His presence. “Praise be to God, through Christ Jesus our Lord!”
And so my lack of love serves to highlight his unconditional faithfulness all the more, and calls for even more praise—indeed it compels me once again to “make every effort to add to [my] 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 my Lord promises, “if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-11). "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7).
So I encourage you, fellow believer—if you believe his promises, don’t just rest in them. Act on them. Seek Him.
#1. I want to be happy. Beneath sundry motives and emotions sits this fundamental desire. I long for joy and contentment.
#2. I know where to find what I’m looking for. I know where true happiness lies. David knew also: “You have made known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
I believe with all my heart that ultimate satisfaction awaits me in God’s presence; that communion with Him constitutes joy in its purest form. I am wholly convinced that—my purpose being to glorify and enjoy God—no other occupation can possibly produce more intense contentment.
#3. Here is my problem: I cannot bring myself to strive after that which I most desire. I know what I want and I know how to get it – but I can’t. I find myself attracted to so many inferior comforts, motivated by so many illegitimate desires, and allured by so many trivial experiences.
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom 7:15).
It’s not just active sin that keeps me from my father’s presence. It’s a kind of lethargy. I know that, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us…” (2 Peter 1:3), but I move so slowly towards fuller knowledge of Christ. Here I have His words, His self revelation; here I have His faithful servants around me, constantly testifying to the power and wonder of his love. What a wretched man I am! What a stupid creature I must be! How intense the shadows of my unregenerate heart must have been that they linger still despite this radiant light of Christ and His gospel. And how great must be the love of this God, who bears with such wondrous patience the prayerlessness and lovelessness of His own children, who look up to the cross—the ultimate sacrifice, the symbol of the most intense sorrow ever experienced: the severing of the infinite bond of love between the Father and Son—and respond with such inappropriate apathy, which renders the divine gift a mere accessory to life.
So there’s something wrong with my heart still. But the situation is not desperate; the God who loved me enough to endure hell on my behalf, well aware of the depravity of my soul and the completely inappropriate response I would offer, loves me enough to bear my weakness with patience and gently bring me nearer and nearer to His presence. “Praise be to God, through Christ Jesus our Lord!”
And so my lack of love serves to highlight his unconditional faithfulness all the more, and calls for even more praise—indeed it compels me once again to “make every effort to add to [my] 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 my Lord promises, “if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-11). "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7).
So I encourage you, fellow believer—if you believe his promises, don’t just rest in them. Act on them. Seek Him.
Monday, February 5, 2007
certain things don't mix
“What, reader, is the habitual and supreme bent of your mind? Is it that which is spiritual, or that which is carnal?...You have your mind either set upon the things of the flesh, or upon the things of the Spirit.” – Octavius Winslow
I have gotten to know many Christian youth during my three years of college, at three different Christian schools, and many of the thousands of conversations I have had and many of the observations I have made, raise various questions in my mind about how we Christian youth are living our lives.
Not only is that a horrible witness, but it is nothing but hurtful to your personal walk. We are called to live lives that are pure, holy, and pleasing to God. For some bizarre reason I do not see God being too pleased with you claiming Wedding Crashers or Eminem as your favorites. It’s when I hear things like this that I question how serious the Christian youth of today are about their faith.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” – Romans 8:5
Friday, January 5, 2007
What's the DIFFERENCE?
I've decided that it is best for me to make my first post a more general, introductory-type entry. It is not for lack of things to say, but because I have too much to say. I believe that my future entries will be better understood in light of this foundational entry. I want to share reasons (in addition to the ones mentioned in our first entry) why Jordan, Lucas, and I started this blog and see a real need for the Christian youth of today to "step it up."
My college career has opened my eyes to the state of my Christian peers. As I have observed and interacted with my fellow "Christians" at the three Christian colleges I have attended, one question has been throbbing in the back of my mind: what is different about the Christian youth of today and the rest of the youth in the world? Besides the fact that we say we are Christians, what is different about us? Should there be a noticeable difference? The answer is a resounding yes! There should be a noticeable, tangible differences between Christians of any age and nonbelievers. The sad thing I have discovered is that there are MANY "Christian" youth who go to Christian colleges and churches yet show no evidence of their faith except for the fact that they label themselves as "Christians." What is even sadder is that many do not even think they need to be that different from the secular world. Oh no, they think we should "blend in and relate." In future entries I'll get into more specifics.
Most of my upcoming entries will stem off of this question: what is the difference between the young believer and the nonbeliever besides the fact that we call ourselves Christians? I feel that a great number of young Christians are living like nonbelievers, and are unconcerned with the reality that they are falling into a secular, "pop culture" world. They see no problem with that. Honestly, it is hard for me to tell you what is different between my fellow Christian college students and the nonbelievers I know. The lifestyles of the two are so similar I don't know what separates the two groups. Are we not called to be different? Are we not supposed to "be in the world and not of it?" The problem is that the Christian youth know all the biblical principles like the one just mentioned, but view them as weak, overused, and archaic. They are so familiar with the truth that they ignore it.
I know this has all been very general, but as I said, I'll get into more specifics in later posts. Until then, I challenge my brothers and sisters in Christ to live lives that are holy and separate; to be lights in a crooked and depraved generation. Do not concern yourselves with the momentary pleasures of this world, but be different, and be known for what you believe. How great would it be to be known to those around you as a God-fearing man or woman? I know I pray that I will be known as a God-fearing man like my father. Pray for me, as I also pray for you, my brothers and sisters. Let us pray for those who do not have the great gift we share. And let us all pray for ourselves, that we will be the witnesses we should be.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
My college career has opened my eyes to the state of my Christian peers. As I have observed and interacted with my fellow "Christians" at the three Christian colleges I have attended, one question has been throbbing in the back of my mind: what is different about the Christian youth of today and the rest of the youth in the world? Besides the fact that we say we are Christians, what is different about us? Should there be a noticeable difference? The answer is a resounding yes! There should be a noticeable, tangible differences between Christians of any age and nonbelievers. The sad thing I have discovered is that there are MANY "Christian" youth who go to Christian colleges and churches yet show no evidence of their faith except for the fact that they label themselves as "Christians." What is even sadder is that many do not even think they need to be that different from the secular world. Oh no, they think we should "blend in and relate." In future entries I'll get into more specifics.
Most of my upcoming entries will stem off of this question: what is the difference between the young believer and the nonbeliever besides the fact that we call ourselves Christians? I feel that a great number of young Christians are living like nonbelievers, and are unconcerned with the reality that they are falling into a secular, "pop culture" world. They see no problem with that. Honestly, it is hard for me to tell you what is different between my fellow Christian college students and the nonbelievers I know. The lifestyles of the two are so similar I don't know what separates the two groups. Are we not called to be different? Are we not supposed to "be in the world and not of it?" The problem is that the Christian youth know all the biblical principles like the one just mentioned, but view them as weak, overused, and archaic. They are so familiar with the truth that they ignore it.
I know this has all been very general, but as I said, I'll get into more specifics in later posts. Until then, I challenge my brothers and sisters in Christ to live lives that are holy and separate; to be lights in a crooked and depraved generation. Do not concern yourselves with the momentary pleasures of this world, but be different, and be known for what you believe. How great would it be to be known to those around you as a God-fearing man or woman? I know I pray that I will be known as a God-fearing man like my father. Pray for me, as I also pray for you, my brothers and sisters. Let us pray for those who do not have the great gift we share. And let us all pray for ourselves, that we will be the witnesses we should be.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
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