because the time is short.

"What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away."

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Dear friends! What will it take to awaken us to the raw fact of our mortality? You may not survive the decade, the year, the month! Your life is not your own, whether you can say that for you to live is Christ or not.

If the thought that tomorrow is not guaranteed does not inspire us, doesn't the knowledge that neither are the lives of those around us guaranteed? If we knew the hour of Christ's return, or the times set for their deaths, what kind of people would we be? Would we wait? Do we really know so little of the joy of life in Christ that we can't be bothered to see it embraced by others until the time is "more appropriate" or more desperate? Do we not already see the glaring signs of desperation and death and depression and disease and defeat and defiance all around us? What are we waiting for?

Dear friends, what will it take to awaken us to the glorious fact of our immortality? This present world is passing away, and do we prostitute ourselves to a vapor? Already our souls have outlived so many things--clothing, furniture, homes...We are not made for this place.

"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation" (2 Peter 3:11-15).

Does God's patience, for us, merely mean more time to relax?

"How shall I feel at the judgment, if multitudes of missed opportunities pass before me in full review, and all my excuses prove to be disguises of my cowardice and pride?" ~ Dr. W.E. Sangster

But what to do with that cowardice and pride? We cannot shake them on our own, "But the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives..." (Titus 2:11,12)

May we ever look back to Christ on the cross as we move forward towards Christ on his throne."

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.

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).