So many times I find myself wondering what the point of doctrine is. Why does the Apostle Paul always talk about some kind of vague concept before he talks about how we are supposed to live?
I am becoming increasingly aware of the fact that God cares so much about the thought process behind our actions, not simply the result. In Paul’s books he is constantly establishing doctrine BEFORE he starts talking about Christian living!
Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Doctrine, our thought process, drives our actions. This is why it is so essential to have a strong, sturdy doctrine, because out of this flows what we, I, do. Paul never just tells believers “HEY STOP SINNING!” No, he wishes to change our modes of thinking; he challenges believers by explaining to them what God has done, that they may ACT in accordance with what God has done. If God did not care about the thought process behind a choice, then he would never have given the church doctrine with which to live by. He would have given us a set of rules, some ‘does’ and ‘don’ts’.
A solid understanding, grasp, on God's word is so essential because this is the element by which God begins to transform a Christian's mind, begins to transform a Christian's way of thinking. The Bible is not just a rule book to tell us what to do and what not to do, it is the tool by which God begins to make our thinking closer to His own.
on Thursday, March 11, 2010
Well it has truly been crazy as to what God has been showing me here at school. It is a constant reminder that I must conform my thinking to God’s and be objective when I read His Word. So, while I came to New Tribes Bible Institute without any consideration as to continuing on in their mission program, having the Word opened up to me and seeing Jesus Christ’s commandments to his disciples to spread the gospel; I have become truly convinced that a lifelong pursuit to spread the gospel to those who have never heard is truly a life of value and completely in line with Christ’s command to his disciples.
Matthew 28:16:
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What exactly is New Tribes Mission then? Specifically an organization that specializes in bringing God’s word to tribal groups who have never heard it before. Unlike many mission organizations God’s word is only presented in the tribe’s own specific language, and not in the trade language. However, going on with New Tribes Mission is not a decision to be made lightly, and in many instances one such commitment is life-long. From learning the national’s language to seeing a healthy church established many times takes 20 years. So while so much of me does not want to leave what I find comfortable, such as the American culture, prosperity, Starbucks, it is my earnest desire not to waste my life building up wealth that will only burn in the end. I am by no means condemning the American life do not get me wrong, but I simply see a great need and opportunity to have the gospel brought to those who have never had a chance to hear. So, while I am not worried about being called a ‘missionary,’ a term not even found in the Bible, I am concerned about being a servant of Christ, whether that entails a future with New Tribes Mission or not. So… if you all would pray for me, that’d be sick!
on Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Still hard for me to believe that it was a little more than a year ago that I packed up all my earthly belongings into a 1994 Saturn and drove 36 hours to a bible school with no more than 150 students in forsaken Jackson, Michigan. It is too cold, the town is boring, and I have to keep my room clean, but I have never been more challenged in my walk with the Lord through my time here and through an in-depth study of His word. I suppose the line that ultimately drove me here comes from Ecclesiastes in which Solomon exclaims, “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” I came to New Tribes Bible Institute because I looked at my own life and the future I was setting up for myself and did not see a life of value. I was looking for purpose in wealth, pleasure, even in human relationships. Indeed, at this school I found a life of meaning, or purpose, although it is not in myself, but meaning is in a relationship with the one true God and his son Jesus Christ, a relationship which is found only through God's word. So with this understanding I can look with a great sense of clarity towards Solomon’s last words in Ecclesiastes, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” So, I will choose to live my life for the utmost glory of God and upon the commandments with which he has left the church.
Philippians 3:7-8
"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ."(NASB)
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