Character / Convictions / Circumstances

After a few months of sabbatical I joyfully sit here typing out another blog post. I'd like to briefly examine the subject of our character and convictions as it pertains to living in the Christian community. Those of us who live in America are greatly blessed to live in an environment where we can have fellowship, unhindered by the government - free to be surrounded by the body
and its members to our hearts content. This freedom can, however, often times lull us into living in a bubble of comfortable Christianity: complete with the perfect lingo and rhythm. My heart, dear believer, is that we would not believe the lie that hearing the truth spoken by others is enough. How often do various biblical truths seem so familiar and comfortable to us, yet we utterly flounder when asked to articulate them to a neighbor or stranger at the grocery store. How we strain to find Scripture to support what we have heard a thousand times. It seems so close, but in moments of testing, support for this truth can all but elude us, because we have been far too comfortable to let others know for us, without truly delving into the depths and riches of God's word on our own. 

We all know the command in 1 Peter 3: 15 -

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 

but we often fail to truly take hold of this command. Do we realize that when we are ready to make a defense for our hope that we honor Christ the LORD as H O L Y? This should motivate us to abide richly in the truth of God's word - the only place we can truly know Him and show Him to others. It is not enough to be around people who know deeply these various theological truths - we must arm ourselves with our sword - the word of the holy, living God.  I am talking about all biblical truth from the glorious gospel, to why we abstain from immorality or don't support homosexual marriage. This principle extends unto our actions as well - do we live because of firm, scripture based convictions? Or is our character a product of habit based on the company we keep. It is wonderful to have good, encouraging friends, but our hearts must be penetrated by the truth of Scripture, not only trained to mimic those we spend time with most often.

Dear child of the king, my prayer is that we would labor to know our Father, who delights to take our hand and plunge down into the depths of His character and goodness alongside us - fueling our prayers, worship and proclamation of Him as rightful Lord of the universe. May we be faithful to proclaim Christ as king and honor him as Holy - by defending him to a watching world who is wasting away in their sin apart from the cross of Christ.

"Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!”

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped."

REVELATION 5:11-14