Preface

I find myself desiring permission to write these words. I see no reason within my intrinsic nature to be scribing termed “words of wisdom”. I am humble, but I have every reason to be, making the virtue of humility more like that of an unavoidable observation. I am certified in no area of expertise, and my wisdom is well represented by age; I am nineteen at this time. I am currently an undergraduate student, lacking in the second most basic degree among American society, and have far to go in my pursuit of knowledge. All that I know, and desire to express, is already known by more brilliant men than I, expressed more creatively with greater lucidity than I ever will. I am not the best writer; I am not the best orator. I am what many would rightfully call an amatuer, but yet I still find myself writing these words. 

The verse written by Paul in his letter to Timothy resonates through my head, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young”. I cling to this verse, hoping that it gives me some sort of permission in expressing my thoughts publicly. My longing is that someone may draw some sort of encouragement from these words. The truth that lingers any trace of hope within me is that these thoughts and reflections are merely regurgitated from much greater men than me, and some are even from God Himself. My endeavor is to facilitate and organize these thoughts, filtering out the carnal mess I so often make of divine inspiration. Now I am not claiming any sense of divine respect towards my writings, but I do wager than any truth worth meditating on written of mine, are those that God Himself has revealed to me. It has been nothing of my own accord, and therein lies my permission. Any fault or error is my own doing, that of pungent truth, is credited to the Holy Spirit; I shall take no reward for these truths apart from my surrender to His construction in my life. 

If you have any interest in my personal reflections of God and His creation, then I encourage you to read on. If you harbor the desire to see how the God of all that is has worked in the life of a suburban, church raised, nineteen year old Biblical studies student at Liberty University, then scroll forward. But if you are looking for a groundbreaking, life-altering, morality-reversing revelation of truth, I would redirect you to other avenues of Christian authorship. As I have mentioned, there are many more well-studied theologians and philosophers that you can read to discover the truths of God, not to mention Biblical texts themselves. I am merely writing of personal experience; yes, it is experience grounded in the fellowship of God, but not one of tedious studying and hours of research. I hope you can find some trace of encouragement in these words, that they inspire you with confidence of faith to pursue the will of God ever-so violently. 

Theme

I had just conducted a small group Bible study in my dorm room at Liberty University over Philippians 4:4-7; a typical few verses to use for the teaching on the Christian life. It was not until my perusal of this passage in its broader context that I stumbled upon verses 11-12 on a much deeper level, “Now that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” What secret is Paul speaking of? What spiritual truth has Paul learned to implement in his life? Because whatever Paul has, I want! Paul, the writer of half the New Testament, the worker of miracles, I want what he has. As I read the verse over and over again to myself, Paul seemed to be introducing one of the paradoxes of the Christian life: the ability to be content in who God is and what He has done in our lives, while at the same time striving for God to be a more dominating presence in our hearts and the world around us. We should be content in the salvation of God, but hungry for the work of God; joyous in the death of our carnal selves, but pursuing the growth of our spiritual selves. 

This may be the root of all inactivity in the modern church today. We are satisfied with the mere death to our old selves, that we do not seek to live as a new creation. Christ and the Father exemplify this necessity for the christian life in that Christ was not only crucified, but raised to life again to personify his reign over death and sin. God was not delighted in the mere death of His son until He was able to, in a sense, gloat in the act of His resurrection. 

Can not this be applied to the death of ourselves and revival of life in the spirit? God is not only appeased in our death, but our resurrection in Christ. This is why God’s use for us on this earth does not cease at our act of repentance, he keeps us as aliens on this earth to share in the joy of His resurrection! The fact of the matter is some Christians are Christians because they seek salvation, and once that process is over, they tuck away their “get-out-of-hell-free” card and live in a manner unworthy of the Gospel. James speaks of another kind of christian, the true Christ-follower, one that puts their belief into action. Beliefs are dead until you live them out; faith is dead without implementation. 

Yes, salvation in God produces peace that surpasses all understanding, but the pursuit of God, being used by God, produces joy that can only be credited to the God and King of the universe. We ask ourselves why the church is filled with such mediocrity and stagnation, and I believe it is because we have camped out in our salvation while completely neglecting our sanctification. We have learned to be peaceful and content in our placement with God, but forsaken to be hungry in the application of His commands. 

The real question lies in whether the two can truly be separated. Can we honestly repent without sprinting in the other direction, away from ourselves, away from the world, away from sin? Our reformed protestantism has almost brought us full circle, in that we had rightfully rejected the idea of a works-based salvation, while negating the fact that true salvation results in authentic sanctification. James 2:17-22 reads,

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;”.

I could not have said it better myself, and no man has said it better since James did so under the inspiration of God Himself.