Allot of theology

          Life as we know it could not exist if not for God’s sustaining grace. For those of us who know and entrusted our faith in Jesus, have come to him by grace. Those who have yet to come know Jesus as the lord & savior stand as enemies of God, yet still live and prosper because of God’s grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favor, love, upon humanity despite our relational position of sin, so the greatness of life is supplied only through the works of His grace.

            We as humans can do good, however any good that we do cannot earn us God’s favor or love. This is because God is holy therefore has a holy standard that demands perfection. God who is perfect became human and paid the cost of our salvation with his life. He did this so that we may be gifted with the possibility of salvation through faith in His death, resurrection, and lordship. We’re also then sealed with the Holy Spirit until our sanctification is complete in Jesus’ return.

            Salvation is a gift and was given out of God’s grace. We did nothing to earn His saving grace and we are not asked to do works that can suffice for any equal value because of Jesus God himself, is the author and perfected of our salvation. If God’s grace is understood, then our response to grace is met with adoration, gratitude, praise and a want to please God. God’s grace makes these great things of our lives possible and for that I’m thankful, since he loved me and others so much that he would give His life, then the least I can do is try to please Him; Even though, that is not the reason why he is gracious.

Anyone who really loves God will want to follow his commands out of obedience. What comes as an indicator of a true disciple of God is what the apostles called fruits of the Spirit? The fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. One lives with the fruit by being led by the Holy Spirit.

●       Love - A true follower of God is fueled by love. They’re words are comforting and assuring and build up another person in Godliness and humility. God is love. The world’s perception of love is different from true characteristics which is the choice to be kind, considerate and empathetic. Scripture says that actions without love are meaningless. 1 Corinthians gives a great explanation to what value love has in relation to everything.

●     Joy - A true follower of God make the decision to be contempt despite the circumstance that fight for our attention and demand to strip us our contempt state. Joy is different from happiness. Our own agenda of what makes us happy changes over time. We think having a lot of money will make us happy but would come to want more money and more money and are never satisfied. In James 1:2 the author James says this: “Dear brothers and sisters when troubles of any kind come your way consider it an opportunity of great joy.” 

●       Peace - As humans who indwell earth in this 21st Century, it's hard to be at peace with all the bad news we hear and see. There is deep rooted hatred for people groups they are systemic throughout history. War is the opposite of peace and even though war is an atrocity. Jesus is the prince of peace. God is sovereign and His plans that utilize Peace or War are never frustrated in light of his perfect will. 

●       Patience - This is practice that any believer could train for rigorously. As technology advances this generation is only going to grow less patient. Those whom seemingly mastered the technique of patience can be perceived as set apart or different in a good way.

●       Kindness - It is easy to be kind to those whom we care about. Everyone can be kind to those they have love for. When Jesus spoke the sermon on the mound he said something that is quite difficult:

“You have heard the law that says, ’Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

●        Goodness - Paul writes in Romans 8:28:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”. In light of knowing this the believer ought to acknowledge his goodness and reflect an enact this out in their lives.

●        Faithfulness - Faithfulness has different aspects of how this is lived out. The follower of Christ is to be faithful to the causes that Jesus himself championed. More important than that we are to be faithful to God who is faithful to his children. Loving him with all of our heart, might and soul is the greatest way to ensure that we are faithful to him first and foremost.

●        Gentleness - Like patience, it is of utmost importance that when interacting with people in relationships Beit in fellowship or witness that the child of Christ is humble and meek. In discussion of things that are holy, sin is also apparent in our lives. Jesus was bold and tactful, yet his most illustrated characteristic is his gentleness. Because when trying to help others in sensitive aspects of their lives, there is strong feelings involved that can trigger irritability, therefore we as ambassadors of Christ out to be gentle.

●       Self-Control - When in proper fellowship with believers who encourage Godly over a period of time it becomes easier to enact the disciplines of being set apart as one of God’s chosen people. Sins that we once were easily enticed with no longer appeal to us. We are able to live with freedom from sin, yet live perfectly enslaved for the Christ that has unlimited care for our needs and wants.

In relation to Scripture a follower of Christ should be:

●       Reading, hearing and, studying the Word - There are a lot of schemes drawn by the devil, perils of the world, and the allure of our carnal desires. Knowing this, the disciple of Christ needs to be consistently in the His word; attentive to what God may be speaking into us about. Where we may have trouble; He may be easing us into a direction that grows us into Godliness, and which reveals truth as to where we may have a distorted perception.

●       Mesmerizing the Word - One Psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

●       Mediating on the Word - Joshua 1: 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

The Disciple of Christ should be relational with

●       Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Fellowship - It is important for believers to encourage and pour into other believers for iron sharpens iron. The sheep are stronger together, and the devil likes for the herd to separate so he can attack. Ministry is draining which is we should invite our brothers and sisters into our lives so that we may also be ministered to. Marriage is a special relationship which can and should be a great source of encouragement.

●       Others, witnessing to non-believers was the last commandment gave in His great commission. It is one commandment that believers often ignore sadly. Knowing how grateful we are to intimately know a loving, merciful God; we ought to share his good news so that others may also know him intimately and experience all that comes in his gracious salvation.

●       God in prayer - We ought to pray constantly and about all aspects of our lives. We should pray for wisdom, His likeness in humility and love, and His other children. We may also intercede for others who aren't his or his yet. We ought to pray not only when bad things happen but pray in thanksgiving when bad thing and good things happen in our lives. In 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 Paul writes, rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

●       Christians grow best when they know they’re poor in spirit for that is when they know their need for God the most.

●       Christians grow best when they are forgiving; holding grudges inhibit us from freely loving others and does not exhibit the way Christ loves.

●       Christians grow best in times of grief; having to withstand the pain of loss makes our ability to hope and endure stronger for we cling to God’s promise more so then than in times of prosperity.

●       Christians grow best when they fellowship with other encouraging believers. The purpose of the congressional is to support each other within the church through conversation, prayers, or even financially.

●       Christians grow the best when in challenging environments that are desperate for saving grace. In the inner cities like Chicago, New York, California there is a lot of hurt and pain. Hope that is spurred on by the believer’s influence can be contagious and mutually edifying the servant and as well as those whom are being served.

●       Christians grow best when they depend on God more than finances. One in Christ can easily fall to the false security the comes with having a lot of money.

●       Christians grow the most when they are humble. Pride is stifling in the life of Christians because of problem areas that cannot be seen due to the fact that sometimes we are too egotistic.

●       Christians grow the most when lust is not too prevalent in one's life. If a Christian feed into the desires of the flesh, then that person is more susceptible to living a carnal lifestyle.

●       Christians grow the most when they understand their value from a biblical perspective. Self-perception is constantly at the forefront of our that’s and motivate our actions. If the self-image that plays back in our mind does not correspond to what God has to say about us, then our priorities become distorted. 

●       Christians grow the most when they seek to glorify God. If the objective is to glorify God in all that we do, then we would do everything to the best of our ability with the strength and necessities that God has already given to us in our design and His design for good deeds to be done through us.

           

During my time, here at Moody, I seek to draw closer to God. I would like for there to be an intimate knowledge of God rather than trying to compartmentalize facts about who the God, Servant of the Lord, and Holy Spirit are. My hope is that I’ll study my subject material with the attitude of sharing and utilizing what I learn so that I effectively usher the new generation to a clear understanding of the awesome God I serve. I would like for him to be glorified in my ministry in the future.

How this is occurring now is through building on my skillset and figuring out in what aspect will I serve in ministry during and after Moody. I review what path opportunities will my major provide me with. I compare that with other majors. I ask upperclassmen when their thoughts on their majors. What I realized that even though I declared an Evangelism and Discipleship major, who I really want to minister more directly to is the youth. Before settling on Evangelism and Discipleship I was set on Urban Ministry, being from Chicago I understand the hurt and want to help in a Christian context.

Even now I ponder the usefulness of having a major titled Evangelism and Discipleship because of the fact that the Great Commission calls all believers to evangelize and make disciples regardless of occupation, area of expertise etc. I consider switching to youth ministry because it has a more professional appeal to it. The sad reality from what I can tell is not enough Christians personally evangelize to others, so with that in mind I don’t want to attribute to those negative statistics however reliable they may be. I have met with faculty in Moody Central to discuss a bit. I plan on also chatting with my department major advisor more also. As I figure these things out my short-term goals are to grow in appreciation for God’s word, the fellowship of believers, and the calling and purposes that he intends to use me for.

Along the way, I will come across financial issues, relational issues, and personal issues that are bound surface to a certain degree; However, bI will acknowledge God as sovereign and will seek his wise counsel in prayer. All plans are so that he may be glorified ultimately in the end. At least that is the plan, Lord willing a follow through with the principles I hold and follow up in account to Him and as others as grow.