There Is No Superman - Thoughts on Christian Community

This week, God has taught me some painful, but important, truths about Christian living.

 Let me tell you, I stand much more encouraged, and built up in the faith, as a result of some powerful, wonderful facts revealed by a gracious God, Jesus Christ!

Allow me to tell you a story. 

As life is kicked into high gear, and the ever-crazy schedule of life takes flight at the highest level of me, it remains a struggle for me to keep from panic, let alone manage my life effectively! I'm sure many can relate. The feeling of work, school, church, classes, life, you name it, all at once, is downright nerve-wracking at times. And indeed it affects me too.

As the semester started, I flung myself into my work, hoping to accomplish all, to prove my strength, my skill, and my knowledge. Here I am, at arguably one of the more premiere schools of theology in the world. What better chance do I have to prove myself? To change the world?

But once the reality of what I was up against set in, I began to panic. I am no longer some semi-idolized giant of theology and faith, as I was often held up to be at home. Now I am the most humble student. I am the least of all these people here. This shook me somewhat.

In addition, as all this built up, and I realized my pride that I was entertained, I fell into despair. What a wretch I was! What a fool! With so many opportunities before me to do great things, and yet even now I struggle to just barely stay alive, to survive the battle of life. Let alone change the world. Some great leader and giant of faith I turned out to be! I barely make time to study for a test!

However, the real twist of the story is here: In my despair, and disgust with myself, I chose to isolate myself from others. 

I chose to brood, to sorrow, and to bury myself in my own self-abasement, my disgust with my failures. Instead of letting others help me, build me up, and encourage me (and by turn encouraging them), I darkly beat myself into the dust. And, as you can imagine, helped no one. Not even myself.

However, as of late, I was invited to coffee with a few friends (and for the record, I cannot stand coffee, so imagine then how desperate I was!), to talk, and to pray. Simply to relate on life, and how everyone was doing. It was mind-blowing, the change of heart that occurred within the space of a few hours!

I found I was not alone. 

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." -Prov. 27:17 

Others knew my struggles, and struggled themselves. Some struggled with lustful sins, thoughts of impurity. Still others dealt with intellectual pride, a common problem at this high school of learning. Some simply struggled to survive the battle. And in my mind, I could help but think, “Why, all of this is me! What a fool I am! Why did I not realize this before?”

Again later, I attended a meeting for class, the purpose of which was to hold one another accountable for our actions through the week, in almost every area of life. From thoughts and intentions, to workplace actions, to ministry. Before the day was over, I had gone from despair, to hopeful trust in Christ for strength, and wisdom. Praise God for the blessing of grace, and fellowship!

Friend, does this sound perhaps like you in any way?

God has taught me two great things this week: Humility, and the importance of fellowship.

Humility, because I trusted too much in myself. I relied on my own dreams, and my own strength to carry out those dreams. But once I was tested, I found the truth: I am simply a weak, foolish sinful man. I learned to realize I must rely on Christ for strength, for wisdom, and for opportunity, and not on myself. There is no Superman. There is no man who can do it alone. And there is no hero, apart from the one Christ decides to build up and put in place. We can do nothing with His direct help.

Fellowship, because as Scripture states, again, we were made to function alongside each other, not cut off from each other.

"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." -Gal. 6:2

I was recently approached by a dear, close friend of mine who was struggling with some powerful struggles in his life, some issues in life that were burdening him into the ground. In a moment of confession he honored me by turning to me to listen, to relate, and to talk. While I was humbled by this chance, I was also struck by something: This man had told no one of his struggles with life for months! How much pain and burden had he endured for months alone, when that very night, I was able to lighten his pain! What could have been done to correct this many, many weeks ago, and to sharpen as iron sharpens! And indeed, did I do the same thing in areas of my life?

Friends, Christians, we need each other. Iron sharpens iron. 

We were made to function in community, building up and edifying each other in godly conversation and fellowship! Not alone, isolated from one another! This truth was made pointedly clear to me. Isolated, we will fall. No man is able to uphold himself, let alone anything else, without the help of others. God, and other brothers and sisters in Christ.

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." -1 Thes. 5:11

I have great dreams. Perhaps you do too. But no matter how great you aspire to be, you will not get there alone, in spite of what our culture tells us. Do not imagine yourself as a superhero, a stand-alone warrior. Or worse, do not hide in shame and sorrow at your failures! Do not flee the company of the saints in despair, or fear of judgment. I beg you, talk to someone! And build them up in turn. Perhaps you will find a similar struggle in someone else.

Friend, I ask you: Who could you reach out to?

The Infinite, Stupid Question

   In my previous post, I talked briefly about what it is to be a slave. A slave of God. Much of that was focused on what it entails to be a slave, and what exactly is the identity of a slave. Now, I'd like to do a few quick notes on what it means to be a particular slave of GOD. We've looked at the slave. Now let's look at the Master. Who and what is the Master, and why is He mentioned here? Let's take a look.

So we realize that we are slaves of God, but now, my friends, I'd like to ask you the infinite, stupid question: Who is God? What is God? Before you roll your eyes, think about this for a moment.

We all have some idea of who and what God is, whether it be right or wrong. For a moment we'll put aside non-believing, non-Christian circles and just focus on those who believe in the God of the Christian Bible. Again, we all believe in God. We believe in the God of the Bible. But who is He? What is He? Everyone, right or wrong, has a different idea, a different perception, on this issue…frankly, I personally believe, no one's view of God is fully right this side of heaven. We all have our imperfect aspect somehow of God. But disregarding that, it's obvious, that is also the biggest, most massive question we can ask.

But let me ask you this: When was the last time you simply took time to reflect on who God is? And is this not important? 

Bear in mind, the whole entire purpose of our being, is to know our God, and His plan and purpose. As Christians, we must, must reflect often on the Scriptures to stay healthy, alive believers. And why is this? Because in the Scriptures is “life.” (John 5:39) When we study the Word of God, we learn, we are made aware, or are reminded of certain truths we must need to maintain focus on. I believe, the more we study, the more we pray…the more we learn about God, who He is, and thus our Life is increased, our Joy, our Rest in Him.

The more we know of God, and focus on God, the more we are alive, happy, and joyful human beings. Thus, studying, reflecting, and learning about God is essential to life, to happiness. We were designed to have a relationship with Him. Of course the quality of our lives comes from our knowledge and experience of Him!

This being said, I believe as stupid, or as redundant, or as infinite in size as this question is…it is our duty, and joy, to reflect on it, and spend eternity regarding it. Who is God?

I'll post more soon on the barest, barest bones of the answer. But I fear I have not really studying enough myself to answer well, so I will do so before I post the answer.

~Alex

Phil. 4:13    

Titus Study - Being a Slave to Christ.

Verse one of Titus reads,

“Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,”

The second word in this verse is the word, “bond-servant.” In the original Greek, this is the word δουλος (pronounced “Doo-Lahs”) which means, quite simply, a “slave.” Paul, the apostle of Christ, terms himself firstly and foremost, a slave.

What does this mean? What is being a slave of God?

After some thought, I would argue a few points concerning being a slave, and specifically, a slave of God Almighty.

The first thought is, naturally, all of us are slaves of God. And this is not a voluntary action. We, all, as human creatures that are under the power of a higher being, as subject to His will regardless of whether we like it or not. If God commands something, His creatures obey it, period. He may be long-suffering, and He may be gracious to His slaves, but at the end of the day, His will is going to be done, and as His creatures, we must acknowledge that He is the Master that we serve. We can make a choise to acknowledge and bow, or rebel, but even the rebellious slave will be overpowered and brought to kneel in the end, at a much higher price, like a disobedient child being punished severely. Thus, we must remember that, like Paul, we are all slaves.

Secondly, slaves do not get to decide whether or not they are slaves. Slaves are bought and paid for with a price, and thus, belong to someone besides themselves. They are not their own master. They are the property of a higher Master, who does with them as He wishes. Still bear in mind, not even speaking in theological terms, this is simple worldly fact. This is the real world. This is simply what a slave is, not even touching on what it implies. Slaves are the property of their Master, whether they like it or not, and are constrained to obey him, either voluntarily, or by force.

On another note, slaves, at least, good slaves, do what is commanded of them without question, argument, or opposition. Who heard of a slave, that was considered a good slave, that defied his Master? While in human terms, it is possible to defy a human master for a good reason, it still by definition means he may have been being a good man, but still a bad slave. This, a good slave is slave that does his Master's bidding without question. Centurion, anyone?

In addition to this, we can bear in mind that we are all slaves, and, thus, all have equal status under Christ. We are all bound to obey the same commands, the same Word, the same Creator, and no slave is above another in terms of worth, strength, or revelation.

It is the comfort of being slaves of God to realize that 1) We are slaves of the Light, not of the darkness, and that the Light now owns us as a people. Also, the comfort of being a slave is not having to be a Master; being able to trust in the perfect will of Christ who takes perfect care of His people, leaving us without any legitimate worry or burden.

Finally, thus, in application: We are slaves of God, bought and paid for by His blood. (2^nd Timothy 2) Whether we like it or not, He made us, He bought us, and we belong to Him. As such, then, obedience and surrender to His will is not just required; it exists whether we acknowledge it or not. Voluntary submission is simply easier than being pressed by force into your work, or even worse, “reaping what you sow” by disobeying commands from an all-wise Creator. 

~Alex

Phil. 4:13

Book of Titus Context Notes

    Before any further study into the actual book of Titus should really be done, I decided it might be wise to write a few words concerning the actual context and setting of the letter of Titus, Crete, and exactly what happened to be going on at the time. 

    In this letter, Paul is writing to his helper, and who he describes as "his true child in the faith." Titus is some manner of pupil or servant under Paul in the work of ministry, and specifically, he was assigned to Crete to help strengthen and put into order the churches there. 

   A good deal is vague and uncertain about Paul's actual journeys to Crete. We are not told by the book of Acts that Paul actually went to Crete at any point to evangelize, or that he went at all to Crete before he was traveling on his last, fateful journey to Rome, to appeal before Caesar, the Roman Emperor Nero. Paul began that journey by leaving Judea by ship, and sailed under the island of Crete as they passed it by en route to Rome. We are told in Acts 27:7-9 that Paul did spend much time in a Crete city named Lasea, but beyond that, we know little. After leaving that city, they sailed and did not stop again until they reached Malta, an island just south of Sicily. (http://www.bible.ca/maps/maps-pauls-rome-journey.jpg)

   Little is said also about Lasea. We can guess that Paul was allowed to largely go as he pleased in Lasea while the ship harbored there, as Acts 27:3 indicates that the centurion in charge of Paul was gracious to him, and allowed him a great deal of freedom in the situation. So it is extremely likely that Paul did witness in Lasea during his stay there. Beyond that, little is known.

    Titus himself is a rather difficult figure to place in the New Testament. He is not mentioned at all in the book of Acts, but is mentioned several times in 2nd Corinthians with great affection. He is referred to as "brother" once by Paul (2nd Cor. 2:13). In Galatians, Paul states that Titus was one of the few who accompanied him to Jerusalem after being in Syria for fourteen years (Gal. 2:1-3), so we know Titus was not Jewish, or originally from Crete. In fact it is stated that he is a Greek, maybe originally from Damascus or some of the outlying regions of Syria. All speculation, however. 

   Regardless, we only know for sure that Paul sent Titus at least once to Corinth for the collection of the persecuted in Jerusalem (2nd Cor 7-8), and eventually at one point, sent him as far as Dalmatia (Yugoslavia). But at this point in time, we can obviously assume that for now, Titus is stationed on Crete to organize the growing church of Christ Jesus. 

  Crete itself is an large island to the south of Greece, an island that had a bad reputation for being somewhat immoral and violent during this time in history. While Cretans were apparently present at the Pentecost (Acts 2:11), little else is said of them in the New Testament. It is probable the Gospel had already reached Crete before Paul even came, as a result. 

    

    Very interestingly, Paul actually quotes a Cretan poet and writer, Epimenides, in Titus 1:12, the infamous passage, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." (For more information see here: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimenides) 

   As such, Cretans had a bad, and somewhat laughable, reputation as thieves, liars, and lazy folk. Not that it isn't true that most of the Roman empire in general was in high moral decay everywhere, but a great deal of cultural snubbing was done to the inhabitants of this island. It was into this that the Gospel was proclaimed, and once it began to grow to a large extent, to prevent chaos, Titus was dispatched to organize order, justice, truth, sound doctrine, and wise practice. For the glory of God. 

Also a helpful site for more information on Crete itself: http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/C/CRETE/

God bless,

~Alex

Phil. 4:13

 

Speak With Conviction!

     I've been reading a book called, "He Is Not Silent," by the good Dr. Mohler lately. And yes, for my Southern Seminary friends, I have not yet finished my core reading, I know. It's a good read. While much of it I think I already knew in a lot of ways, there are some gems in it that I thought were more than worth the time. One of the major points of the book is how Dr. Mohler suggests we, as Christians, deal with our post-modern culture. 

   Today, our society, and frankly most of our world, is highly post-modern. Now, I know of many people who claim to be post-modern, and have no idea what it is, so I'll define my terms. Post-modernism is the belief that, well, really anything is right. Truth is entirely relative to the person. What is true for you is not true for me. This is post-modern thought. Thus, anyone who claims, "That may be true for you, but not for me." Is speaking post-modernism.

   Now, I don't want to turn this into a post-modern apologetic, that's not the point of this. If you would like to discuss that, please, by all means, hit me up! Comment! I'll gladly catch up with you. But I believe post-modernism is unbiblical, and the scary part: It is destroying any kind of intelligence, wisdom, and decency we had as a people.

   Post-modernism has allowed us to be lazy. Yes. That's right. Lazy. People who simply think up their own morality, decide what they like is right, period, and then brush off any concerns as, "relative," are being lazy. We as a nation have become stupid. And we're proud of it. Proud of our post-modernism that is so tolerant, so completely submissive, that there's nothing left worth defending. I may highly disagree with many of my Muslim, or atheist, friends, but at least they have the guts to stand up for something! 

    I guess my summary is this: I defy post-modernism, and complete tolerance, because it destroys intelligence, judgment, and courage. 

   We are lazy. Yes, lazy, because we don't take the time to think about what is true. What is real. Or what we stand for. What we believe. Do you take the time to study, to think, about what you are and what you believe in? And what is true? Most don't! Because they simply don't want to put in the effort. It's dangerous and time consuming. Schools don't teach their children to think, and thus, lazy children don't think. Most of my peers, young adults, I talk to (outside of specific circles) can't even tell me they believe ANYTHING AT ALL, or care to! Except in pleasure and thrills and themselves. No wonder our nation is in such a state! No one bothers to think anymore! And thus, we've gradually become more and more stupid, and are glad of it.   

   I fear a great part of this is me ranting at my own generation. The kids raised in public schools who were taught to believe whatever they pleased, if that much, and then pleasure and believe only in their own selves. So I speak largely to people my age. The young adult crowd, the new face of America.

    We are afraid to say anything in our culture that is painful, offensive to anyone at all. No one has the guts now to challenge a culture where saying some hard truth gets you media-slammed, politically-condemned, socially hated, and often, sends you to court. The only thing we are INtolerance of, is intolerance! What ridiculousness! Think about it for a moment! 

   In "He Is Not Silent," Mohler pointed out something I thought was brilliant. Speak with conviction. He says this,

   "Contrasted to this are the words of Martin Lloyd-Jones: 'Any study of church history, and particularly any study of the great periods of revival or reawakening, demonstrates above all else just this one fact; that the Christian church during such periods spoke with authority. The great characteristic of all revivals has been the authority of the preacher." In all true expository preaching, there is a note of authority. This is because the man dares to speak on behalf of God. He stands in the pulpit as a steward of "the mysteries of God." (1st Cor. 4:1) Declaring the absolute truth of God's Word, proclaiming the power that God, and applying that Word to life. This is, admittedly, an audacious act."

   While I realize most of this is applied specifically to christian preaching, I think the base point is true for anyone! Why do we cower from media, culture, and politicians who speak with double tongues and manipulate our worldviews? Stand up! Speak out for something! Challenge this ridiculously over-tolerant world, and prove that you at least stand up and have courage of SOME kind! 
   
    This is not to say, be arrogant, or stubborn. Be willing to take correction if you're proven wrong, willing to discuss with disagreements, and thus sharpen yourself. But for goodness sake, we have become so stupid as a people, because we don't bother to think and challenge one another anymore! No longer do we teach morality and truth and even worldviews and ideas, because we are afraid to get burned. No longer do we practice discussions and debates with differing ideas from our own, and thus, sharpen all parties involved. We're content with living in a lukewarm, cowering mess that is slowly decaying even further! I would rather stand up for what I believe, and be shot for it tomorrow, and live a life of stupidity and cowering fear. 

   Speak out with conviction. With authority. Whatever you believe is true, say it! Be willing to discuss it, debate it, and correct as necessary, but enough of this sickening fear and deliberate stupidity. Think, study, decide what is true, or what you believe, or what you are and what you stand for, and then, say it! Live it! Do it! 

"'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.'"   -Revelation 3:15-16


~Alex
Phil. 4:13 

The Fall

  I rolled over.  Pain shot its way through my body as an indignant rock informed me that it had already staked this piece of ground as its own. I lazily opened my eyes and brushed away the crust that had formed there.  There was always crust in this land, always dust and debris; never a patch of grass--fresh with sweet moisture, just crust.  It was a small thing, but it showed that even the small things were nothing but frustrations in this place.

  Carefully, I raised my head and took off my helmet.  I ran my fingers through my greasy tangled hair, “Just like a dog after wading through a mud puddle” I thought.  As I stroked my scalp, I focused my thoughts on what had happened and how I had gotten here.  The details were still fuzzy, but after examining my surroundings and the state of my body and armor, I knew that it had happened again.

  As my mind slowly began to process what had taken place just a few hours before, I snapped.

  Jumping to my feet, I ripped off my armor, threw my bloodstained shield to the ground and began to jump on them repeatedly. 

  When that didn’t satisfy my rage, I grabbed the Sword that had been lying just a few yards from me and viciously thrashed my innocent targets.

  “Is it working?”

  Startled, I leapt forward and wheeled around to see where the voice had come from.

  Standing only a few yards away was a simply dressed man with a book in his hand.  He looked straight into my eyes with a serious but slightly amused expression on his face.  There was a moment of silence as I processed the scene.  All the while, the man simply gazed at me; and although only a few minutes passed, his thoughtful stare made it seem like hours.

  “Is what working?”  I finally responded.

  “Your violence and swearing, is it dissipating your anger and bringing peace to your soul?” 

  “Why are you always asking me the same questions?”  I asked in a tone of annoyance. 

  “Because you continue to do the same things.”

“No it’s not working,” I said while sheathing my sword and casually sitting down in the arid dust, “but you already knew that.  Why are you here anyways?  Come once again to remind me of my many failures?”

  Gracefully, the man strode over and stood almost on top of me. He looked down at me and resumed his thoughtful stare, “And is that what I have done in the past?  Reminded you of your mistakes?  Am I the one who continually brings up the past, and relentlessly beats it over your head?”

  With a frustrated sigh I met his stare, “No.  Look I’m sorry, I know I’m being irrational, I’m just really not in the mood to talk.  I mean, you know what happened!  You always know!  Even though I’ve never seen you present, you always seem to know the specifics of my mistakes.  Why are you here anyways?  Why are you even talking to me?  Don’t you know that these….these mistakes that I make are treacherous acts against you? Every time I fall, I go back on the promise I made to you, every time I make this choice, I choose separation from you!”

  The man never missed a beat, “Of course I know, you have been rebelling against me from your birth.  Even after you swore your loyalty to me, you have continued to backslide.”

  Confused and angry, I stood up, glared at him and in a raised voice said, “Then strike me down now! We both know that I don’t deserve another breath!  Deal with me as I have dealt with you!”

  Although his expression never changed, his eyes shone with a new light.  I had expected them to glow with anger, but instead they beamed with love and compassion. He cocked his head to the side and placed his hand on my shoulder, “I do not deal with you as you deserve. I have chosen to love you, to care for you,to pick you up when you fall.  I have chosen to be your foundation, to be your nourishment, to make you whole.  I have chosen to fill that empty spot you have been trying to fill for years….I have chosen you to be mine.  And no matter how you treat me, no matter what treacherous acts you commit against me, those choices will never change.  My love for you will never change.”

  Those words cut through me like a knife.  I felt that familiar lump begin to form in my throat. My knees, which had been rock-solid only moments before, became like the knees of a toddler learning to walk.

  Quickly regaining my composure, I swallowed hard and did my best to look him straight in the eye,“But why?  Why continue to do all those things for me?  I don’t even understand why you chose me in the first place, and I certainly am not able to comprehend why you would continue to love me.”

  “That’s because you are searching for something in and of yourself that would make you worthy of my love.  My son, nothing could ever make you worthy of that.  I chose to love you not because of a condition that you met. I chose to love you, because that is what I desire to do.  My love for you is unconditional and unchanging.  Your actions do not change my love.”

  No longer able to look at him, I gazed at the ground. I blinked hard as I felt my eyes fill with moisture.  “I can’t do this anymore,” I said in a shaky voice, “I can’t continue to fight this fight. Day after day I’m faced with all kinds of foes.  Some of them look just like me; they know all my weaknesses and they use them to break me down.  Others have the aura of great power; they are fearful, and breathe threats at me.  They promise me peace if I would only take off this armor, throw away this sword and abandon you.  Still, there is one more and he is far different from the others.  He doesn’t attack me at all, he only speaks soft and kind words.  He tells me how I can only experience freedom once I am free from you.  The longer I listen to him, the wiser his words begin to sound.  He praises me greatly, and tells me how I should be proud of all that I have accomplished.  But even as he says these things, I can feel a sharp, dull pain behind me; almost as if someone is slowly forcing a jagged arrow into my back. “

  My broken voice faded into the surrounding wasteland.  I waited to see if he would chide me for my cowardice.  Instead, he placed his hand under my chin, and slowly lifted up my head.  His hand was firm but gentle, and as he drew me up, I could feel that they were deeply scarred.  Once again I saw his face.  It was a ruggedly beautiful face, full of understanding and kindness.  His compassionate gaze seemed to be telling me that he understood, that he too had felt the same pain.

  After a few seconds of his powerful stare--I broke.  I knew that I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. Falling to the ground I grabbed his ankle with one hand and beat the earth with the other.  The dust of that sere landscape whirled through the air like a swarm of gnats.  I sobbed and choked as my mind quickly filled with stagnant reminders of my actions in the past.  I had always been the one to break faith, andyet every time he had responded to my treason with compassion.

  “I’ve always fallen short, I’ve never been able to successfully defeat these damn ghouls!  I can be strong for a few minutes, but eventually I let my guard down and they pounce upon me!” I shouted through my sobs, “In moments, I’ve renounced my loyalty to you and declared my fealty to them!  I never remember anything after that, I only wake up with guilt and regret! I’m never able to do what I desire, but the things that I don’t want to do is what I keep doing!”

    The man calmly reached down, and in one swift motion, he lifted me up from the ground and rested my head on his shoulder.  Gently he ran his fingers through my dust-clumped hair.

  “This is not about you my son.  This is not about your failures; this is about my grace.  I know these foes are stronger than you, I know that you are easily broken, but the one thing you fail to remember is that I was there with you in each and every battle.   Whenever you would embrace the enemy--that is when I stepped in.  I would smote your adversary in one stroke and gently carry you to safety.  Despite your violent kicking and screaming, I would calm your nerves, treat your wounds and once again release you from the enemy’s chains.  You always look to your own strength when the enemy arrives.  You always remember your successes and fail to recount your short comings.  These foes cannot be defeated through your own power.  This is something that you must take to heart.  When you are faced with an enemy, do not look upon him as an unworthy opponent.  Instead, embrace humility and seek out my help.  My Spirit is always with you; he will never forsake you to fight these monsters alone.  Your pride is your downfall; until it has been tamed, you will continue to fall.”

  Taking my sword from its sheath he examined it thoughtfully, “I have given you this sword to be your defense in times of trouble.  Too often you have thrown it aside, preferring to rely on your fists.  However, the enemy can easily outmaneuver your blows and use them as a weapon against you.  This sword can pierce through even the toughest armor and can shatter the strongest shields.  But you can only achieve these great things if you are dedicated to learning its secrets and hidden wisdom.”

  Carefully he placed my sword back in its sheath.  As he did so, I could feel a calmness closing in about me.  I knew that there were many trials yet to come, and yet, at that moment, they didn’t matter.  In the security of his embrace, they seemed like nothing.  Even the past mistakes that constantly haunted my mind seemed to be swept away by the sensation of peace.  It was a peace that made no sense.  Here I was, fighting a war I could not win, constantly betraying the one who commissioned me to fight, surrounded on all sides by enemies more powerful than I, and yet-nothing but quiet serenity.  It was a peace that passed all understanding.

  Strong enough to tame the seas themselves, his voice echoed through the undisturbed peace, “Andrew, I did not suffer on your behalf and make you one of my own just to watch you fall over and over again.  I endured the most painful death imaginable to free you from slavery to sin, to save you from the fall of your forefather. I knew this freedom would place you at enmity with the world, so I gave you a way to fight back.  I knew that while fighting, you would be tempted, and I knew such temptations would causeyou to fall.  I have not put you through these trials because I find pleasure in watching you stumble.  I put you through these trials to teach you your own weakness.  And as you begin to realize your human frailty, you will forsake your own abilities and lean on me wholly for support.  As one of my children once wrote:

These inward trials I employ,

from self and pride to set thee free,

and break thy schemes of earthly joy,

that thou mayest find thy all in me.

    

  My heart ached as I began to take in this amazing prospect; that I, the one who fell, was made to stand.  And even though my soul was overflowing with peace and joy, I could not stop the endless flood of tears that poured from my eyes.  With one movement, he wiped a single tear from my cheek and immediately the rest were gone.

  He then gently laid his hand on my shoulder, closed his eyes and bowed his head.  “My son, please know that you will continue to stumble in the years ahead.  During this life of tears, you will never be able to fully escape these enemies and temptations.  But also know that I will not rest until I have safely brought you through these torrents.  Though many will seek your allegiance, I will not let them snatch you out of my hand. Rest securely in me and you will find peace.  Be of good cheer my son, for there is nothing you will face that I have not already experienced.  In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. “

  For the longest time I stood there with my eyes closed, clutching his hand as if my life depended on it.  When I finally opened my eyes, I realized that he had disappeared, and the object of my grip was the book he had been holding.

   The book’s cover was well worn and had the single word Logos on the cover.  The pages were yellow with age, but not one of them was ripped or torn.  I turned through several pages before finally stopping at a page that contained two drops of dried blood.  The first drop was located squarely on the word “And”--this is what followed it:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

    Following these words was the second drop of blood which placed itself on the word “but”; here is what came after:

 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

    Encouraged by these words, I carefully placed the book in my knapsack; I knew that I would need this book of life in times to come. 

  After standing in that place for a few more minutes, I knew there was nothing else to do but continue on. 

  Somehow, in someway, he was still present; and although I could not see him, I knew he was watching. 

  Under his watchful gaze, I picked up my scattered armor and put all the pieces back in their appropriate places.  Taking one more look at the withered place of my despair, I fastened my helmet, sheathed my sword, and starting walking forward.

Who Is Paul?

Study One (Titus 1:1)

Paul: His identity, his station, and his purpose.

In this study, as the first few words of Titus discuss, we will discuss Paul. The apostle Paul, how he is, and the nature of his reason in writing this letter. It is simple fact that to best understand the letter, or any letter, one must understand who the sender is. Who is the author, and why does he write? What kind of person is he? All these things help in understanding the letter.

So, who is Paul? The name Paul is παυλον (pronounced “paulon” in the Greek), which literally means ‘small or little.’ This is interesting, considering Paul is a huge figure in the New Testament, and perhaps the greatest apostle to the Gentiles that we know of. However, his name is called ‘little.’ Why is this? For several reasons, perhaps, one of which could be that before his conversation, Paul was exactly the opposite: He was concerned only for being made much of, for status, and for personal pride. 

In the case of Saul, his purpose to become great and large. His changing of name to Paul might perhaps reflect his changed character to a full one hundred and eighty degrees, the sudden moving of the Holy Spirit to alter his self-focus to considering himself of ‘small or little’ importance. Also, we know that Paul was given a thorn in his side, so that he would not be too self-exalting. We know that Paul struggled with pride issues occasionally, though of course, as always, our Lord and the sanctifying of His Spirit win out in the end. Though Paul’s depraved nature sought to make much of himself, his name after regeneration testifies that his life purpose is now to be little in comparison to Christ, and to serving others. We can also assume that now, fully perfected in the Kingdom above, Paul lives up to his true name, making little of himself and making much of the King.

We will continue study one shortly! Please, any comments or thoughts are welcome below. 

God bless!

~Alex

Phil. 4:13