Currently listening to: Fireflight
This past Wednesday I had the honor to meet composer Mark Camphouse. He composed a piece the UAB Wind Symphony played on their recent tour entitled "A Movement for Rosa." In my life I've noticed most people have a certain event that just grabs their attention. For some people it's the Holocaust and for others the Vietnam War and some are more interested in the Crusades. I have always been unexplainably interested in the Civil Rights Movement. I don't know what exactly it is or where it came from but I have always been affected and moved by the words and actions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and it even stretches back to the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. "A Movement for Rosa" was written as a tribute to Rosa Parks and after hearing all of the behind the scenes info Mr. Camphouse shared with us, I was quite teared up and literally fighting back tears. One of the coolest parts of the entire session with him was when he explained one rhythm that is woven through a section of the piece. It was based off of a chant from the Civil Rights Movement - "Freedom. Freedom Now." I can't possibly describe how moving this part in the music was after he explained it, but it definitely hit a nerve.
You may be wondering what in the world this has to do with my faith, but I promise I'll explain. The past few days I've had "Rosa" stuck in my head and have been singing it to myself. Today in the sermon Pastor Stone was talking about producing good fruits by choosing to follow Jesus. The sermon was based off of Luke 22 where Judas decides to betray Jesus. Judas was one of the twelve disciples and it looked like he was walking the walk and talking the talk of Christianity, but he missed out because in the end it turned out to be an act. He chose money over salvation. He betrayed Jesus even after seeing firsthand all the miracles performed. Ephesians 5: 1-10 reads, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
There are certain standards we, as Christians, are held to. We will be judged one day as every person on this earth will be. There is a consequence for everything we do. The difference is that when Christians commit a sin, they (typically) know better. I'm talking specifically to Christians that have the opportunity to hear sermons regularly, participate in Bible studies, and have access to a Bible at virtually any time. We have so many resources. But do we really use them? What better way to grow than to spend time in God's Word every day? What better way to learn lessons than by reading books by authors that have experienced many trials and gained lots of wisdom? How can we really share the love of Christ if we don't even understand the love of Christ because of our ignorance? If He loved us enough to die for us, don't you think we can commit to learning more about Him by reading His Word? In Ephesians 6 it talks about putting on the "full armor of God." In verse 17 it reads, "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
From personal experience I've noticed many Christians with strong opinions on politics and events in this day and age but rarely do I hear people back up what they say with Biblical foundation. How can we try to convince someone of the Truth when we don't even know it? Having a general understanding of scripture is a good thing, but it is NOT enough. How can we produce good fruit if we're not constantly seeking out what good fruit is? I mean, Jesus was the example of a man capable of unconditional Love and He is supposed to be our example but if we haven't even read His Word, how are we supposed to know what exactly to tell others? It's a dangerous thing to mix up the Truth with what you have to say. You may have good advice and you may think you have really good advice, but you do not have the knowledge that God has. Proverbs 2: 1-11 says, "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."
Yes Bible study and sermons and guest speakers and encouraging music are all good things. But the best way I've found to really grow and to really learn is to not wait on the new songs or guest speakers or not even wait for every Sunday to come along so you can hear a sermon. The best way to learn and to grow is to read. First read your Bible (I would personally suggest a good study Bible - mine's a NAS McArthur Study Bible and it's got tons of great info/ study notes). Aside from that look for good devotionals that you can do once a day. And if you start it and then forget for a day or two or even like three weeks don't just give up. Perservere! Just start back. Just do it. There are so many times a day I find myself sitting down to take a break. Don't watch TV or pick up a fictional book. Isn't Jesus just a bit more important in your life than Harry Potter or Elizabeth Bennett? If you don't have times for breaks like that then maybe try eating and reading at the same time. One hand holds the food and the other the book. But read, read, read! It's so important and I can't stress enough how vital a personal relationship with God is. Don't leave it up to the people around you to teach you. If you're an average American citizen then you started out in Kindergarten where the teacher did everything for you. As you grew you started getting homework. If you're like me and now in college then the majority of your grade depends on you taking lots of your time to study and prepare for the tests. You have so much independence. So much freedom over whether you fail or pass the class.
We (generally speaking) have the ability to read the Bible. What valid excuse do you have? Sunday school for 5 year olds is a lot like Kindergarten. You have a short attention span and learn basic stories. As we grow in the church we also need to start being more independent. But with this independence comes a responsibility to learn on our own.
At the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. "Freedom is not Free" is inscribed on a wall. John 8:32 says, "The Truth will set you free." We have the freedom in this country to read our Bibles any time we want. God tells us that His Word will also give us freedom. There is a chant resounding in my head. A chant once vocalized by oppressed African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. They wanted the chance to be treated equal. I want us as Christians to have the freedom to know exactly what it is we believe and the freedom to better understand what Christ really did for us. The more we know, the more freedom we will have from the evil on this earth. The more heavily we arm ourselves with the Word of God, the stronger we'll be to ward of the slavery of sin. Don't get caught in the trap of sin. Don't let it take a hold on your heart and cause you pain and sufferring like Judas experienced. Don't wait until tomorrow because you don't know when there won't be any more tomorrows.
Freedom. Freedom Now.