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“It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity.” Frederic D. Huntington 1890

College is a unique experience and time in our lives. It’s a time when we get to learn, discover, and Grow. For me, this seems like one of the first times I’ve been able to formulate my own thoughts without a lot of external pressures.
What I want to write about isn’t really Anything new. I’ve heard it my whole life. I’m confidant that it’s not new to you either. I’m sure this post will be overlooked in importance compared to previous ones. However, You need to understand how important this one is to me and how important it should be for your life. This is no longer something I know, its something I’m trying my hardest [with the help of the Holy Spirit] to accomplish and make real in my life.
I have no doubt you could Google the topics I list and find a myriad of authors that can more eloquently describe what I’m thinking, however there is a certain satisfaction that comes with writing down your thoughts, so here’s my feeble attempt:

1. Christ’s Mercy And Work on the Cross

When I look at my life and all the things I’ve done: I realize how amazing God’s Mercy is. God saved me by grace. Through faith. Not Of anything I’ve Done. It was a Free gift from God. That thought in itself is humbling; Then I look at how I live my life each day as a New Creation. The thought causes me to shudder. It’s not that God’s grace and mercy will ever run out. However, the mere fact that the same God that has cast the unbelieving into the fiery pits of Hell forgives me for approaching my day, my faith, and Him with a cavalier attitude not so uncommon in our society: Astounds me.
I stand in Awe.

It’s amazing how American Christians live their lives. They go about their days without a serious consideration of God on their mind, attacking life’s challenges with a Cavalier attitude. One where little to no consideration is given to sin. [Do you ever find yourself seriously questioning if certain things are Sin, or do you just assume its alright since its a social norm?] How can we identify ourselves with Christ and yet not live for him?

I’m not advocating being legalistic at all, rather that we Love our God And live what we “believe”. Something I’ve struggled with until I got to college and also started reading Crazy Love, is reading my bible. In high school and Junior High I read for one Reason and one reason only. I knew that my small group was going to ask. Out Of Love they asked; to keep me accountable. It only caused my motivation to be wrong. Guys Please, Don’t read your bible [or do anything else] merely because you feel guilty otherwise. Do it for a genuine Love for God and a desire the relationship you have [or should have] with him. Don’t do it for anyone else. In the end, It’s not your relationship with anyone else that matters.

I visited Maranatha Baptist Church last sunday. Somehow- quite Randomly, I realized how unique our lives as Christians should be. I realized how much we allow society’s values to seep into our own. The topic at Sunday School was Kindness and Goodness- We are told by our culture that if we are treated like trash by other people, we can simply treat them like trash right back [which as you may note, is what the Church Of Satan advocates] It is a subtle poison that has crept into Christian [and sometimes my own] thinking. I understand that we all know this. Why am I wasting my time writing it at All then? Because. I have a problem taking my head knowledge and turning it into action, and I’m exceedingly confidant that many Christians have this same problem- as can be seen by how they taint their testimony day-in and day-out. I’m not claiming that it’s easy At All! i'm no expert.

It seems like every job I’ve had [Separate from when I cooked] I ruined my testimony. How? Going with the flow. Not doing my best. Not Witnessing. Getting angry over ridiculously minor things: Fitting In. I would hardly call the time I spent at those jobs beneficial to the Cause of Christ- Which is honestly all that we need to worry about. I feel like far too many Christians make the mistake of separating church with the rest of their lives. I am Guilty.


2. God’s Demand- Not A Request.

God Demands Our loyalty, not an every once in awhile ‘When it’s convenient, loyalty’- but a burning passion for him.
I hate it when people don’t take into account all of God’s attributes. We hear all about the God of Love; but never the jealous or the wrathful God. I believe in the God that Jonathan Edwards displays in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Although this famous sermon is talking about fire and brimstone that is heaped upon the unbeliever, Edwards is showing how God doesn’t ask us for our allegiance. He Demands it. He is God. We are just his creation. He is NOT to be trifled with.
How Dare I follow him in word only? WHO am I to set conditions on our relationship?
Far too many Christians, Myself included, make the mistake of believing that the relationship is about us.

Basically All I'm trying to do is encourage you to take a step back and look at your Life. Look and see how much you Love God. How do you treat him?

After Inspecting your life: If it isn't Already, Are you going to make your faith Real and truly make it a relationship- Or are you going top continue to live your life as a member of the Silent Crowd of the LukeWarm?

"So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."
-Revelation 3:16

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Chan, Francis. Crazy Love. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2008.