Forgetting the God We Confess: The Ever-Present Danger Each Christian Faces in This World

Curtis K. McClain, Jr., Ph.D.
Chair, Humanities Division
Professor of Bible
Missouri Baptist University

Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt. 6:33, NIV [all future references are to NIV]). B. Warfield observes that Jesus' words are a protest against "practical atheism." He states, "Formal atheism denies God; practical atheism is guilty of the possibly even more astounding sin of forgetting the God it confesses" (44). It is denying with our lives what our mouths confess-that Jesus is Lord over all the Earth and all parts of our lives. Again Warfield warns, "How prone we are to limit and circumscribe the sphere in which we practically allow for God!" (45).

Here we find great practical advice on the integration of faith and learning. We must be growing Christians in order to integrate well. We must avoid limiting the Lordship of Jesus Christ from the thinking and administration of our academic institutions and careers. Or, stated positively, we must apply the Lordship of Jesus Christ to everything we do. We "must not be content with a moderate attainment in the Christian life" (Warfield 255). We must know the difference between a beating heart and a pumping heart. While suffering a heart attack, the human heart can beat without pumping blood. The muscles contract but not in rhythm, so that blood is not pumped. Unless the rhythm is restored, both heart and human dies. Rediscovering practical, Biblical Christianity as it affects all facets of life and thought applies the Lordship of Jesus Christ and avoids practical atheism: Either we are growing, "practicing" Christians or we are practically Atheists.

This sounds simple enough, but the lesson of history indicates the opposite. Take, for example, Ezekiel 16. God tells a graphic allegory of an unwanted newborn who was abandoned to die but for His love. He adopted her, nourished her, adorned her with His wealth, and lavished her with His love. However, she took God's gifts as her pride: "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his" (Eze. 16:15). She not only used God's gifts to buy others lovers, but sacrificed her children to the same evil: "And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough? You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols" (Eze. 16:20). God finishes Ezekiel 16 declaring His intent to judge her harshly for her gross idolatry.

Can we too have confused our successes from God as our own doing? Will not our own pride, arrogance and self-aggrandizement create unjustified idolatry so that we love the thing created more than the Creator? Are we not continually in danger of confusing our zeal for the "job" we do for God with the reign of God in our "job"? Do we have any power to halt the juggernaut of our sin? Is there any hope?

Yes, there is still hope. God has a plan: "I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes" (Eze. 36:23; emphasis mine). He intends to display His holiness in believers to prove His worth to the world.

The New Testament articulates further on this point. According to His eternal plan, God through the Holy Spirit works His purpose (to display the glory of His Son) by changing believers progressively into Jesus' image-that is, to form Christ in them (Ro. 8:28-29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19). It is God's work to make us godly and our service to become godly. Paul shows this very well in the Epistle to the Colossians.

God's Work, Our Service

In Paul's epistle to the Church at Colossi, each Christian finds encouragement in Christian growth by a full explanation of the pastoral prayer stated in the first chapter. We find here Paul's request that God would do a specific work in this church that will produce a specific service from them: "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Col. 1:9). This instructs us on how to pray for other Christians, other churches and church-related institutions. It also gives us a measure by which to observe our own growth and seek further development in God's kingdom. We must look to our God to use all spiritual wisdom (godly direction) and all spiritual understanding (practical obedience to godly direction) as a channel or means to fill us with the knowledge of His will. Only He can give us this fullness and bring it to useful practice in godliness.

Paul further explains the purpose of this Divine work in us: "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way" (Col. 1:10a). Each Christian's God-produced life pleases Him as a worthy offering to His praise. John Piper prompts us, "For God, praise is the sweet echo of his own excellence in the hearts of his people. For us, praise is the summit of satisfaction that comes from living in fellowship with God" (53). We can become pleasing to God by the worth of our lives in this world. We do not seek this godliness in order to gain God's pleasure. No, God's pleasure in us for Christ's sake draws us to godliness (faith-produced obedience, Rom. 1:5). God fully intends to produce just such in each Christian. If God is not producing godliness in me, then I can doubt He has ever done any saving work.

However, what does a "worthy life" look like? The great missionary-apostle gives us an immediate answer in the next verses (by way of four participles) and then spends the rest of the book explaining the four concepts that make up a pleasing life. We should be "bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light" (Col. 1:10b-12). In a typically Pauline pattern, he explains these four concepts-bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, being strengthened, giving thanks-in reverse order. The first two participles are joined to explain the manner of a worthy life. Bearing fruit (orthopraxy or right living) and growing in knowledge (orthodoxy or right thinking) form an inseparable pair of ideas that serve as two sides of the same coin when produced by God in Christians. Then the cause, which produces worthy living, comes from the power (being strengthened) He works in us. All these result in a life that is joyfully thankful to God.

Joyful Thanksgiving

Paul's joyful thanksgiving, which is a result of God's work in us, offers expression to his joy in the faith that saves believers, "joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:11c-14). His gratitude finds expression in three areas: He praises God for the faithfulness of the saints, for Jesus-the author of saving faith-and for the results of faith.

First, we find Paul's praise report for the faithfulness of the Church right up front in chapter one. While Paul heard about their example from Epaphras ("You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit" [Col. 1:7-8].), he reminds them that the same gospel has worldwide effectiveness ("All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth" [Col. 1:6b].). We would do well to remember that too. In an ever-increasing "global" world, the good news offers eternal reconciliation to all. The gospel out of the source of eternal hope produces the faith in Jesus Christ and true love for all the saints. These, faith and love, have such an obvious outward display that joyful thanksgiving to our God flows freely when they are witnessed: "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you" (Col. 1:3-6a). It is God's work to produce and our service to express joyful thanksgiving for the display of His saving work.

Next, Paul gives praise and thanksgiving to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the author of the faith. God has "rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Col. 1:13). Universally, Jesus is Creator and Sustainer of all things, "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Col. 1:16-17). Paul rightly understands that He must be then God, above all things both First and Supreme for all people, in all places, at all times. This universal truth secures saving faith, but the particular truth of saving faith in believers produces joyful thanksgiving as we experience His saving work. Jesus is uniquely "head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Col 1:18-20).

Through the forgiveness of sins by the redemption bought with Christ's blood, the Father "has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light" (Col. 1:14). What a shame that this reality does not produce effusive joy in us so that it permeates all that we do and think! God-produced Christian growth results in our serving Him with joyful thanksgiving for the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Last, Paul reminds us of the praiseworthy results of the faith. God radically changes us from evil to holy, from enemies to servants and even adopted children. Paul rightly reminds us, "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior" (Col 1:21). Here Paul uses pejorative descriptions: alienated, enemies, evil. Before, we were neither neutral nor capable of self-recovery from our hostility. Only God can change us from this death to life: "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" (Col. 1:22). This results in radical change and firm change. Paul shows that God establishes subjective faithfulness to His objective truth in the lives of believers to show that they are reconciled: "if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant" (Col 1:23). The full presentation of the Gospel shares the remedy of grace-forgiveness-and the design of grace-holiness. Every Christian must serve this Gospel first and foremost in all he or she does. Along that way, the Christian will receive God-produced holiness resulting in joyful thanksgiving.

Great Endurance and Great Patience

Such a radical conversion requires divine power. A worthy life, which pleases God, must be one that is "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience" (Col. 1:11). Paul slams us with a triple blast of divine power: "being strengthened," "all power," and "his glorious might." God must work, and He will. We then expect this to be an awesome display of Herculean proportion. While this power produces remarkable change, it will seem quite meager because the purpose of this power is great endurance and great patience (not on our top ten things to want). This does indeed require Herculean force, but it is not ostentatious. No great signs and wonders can be expected; God produces great strength of character and love for Himself, for His truth, and for His people.

Paul understands that divine power is necessary to have great endurance in suffering and ministry. God's work in us produces enduring, suffering service through us with joyful thanksgiving. This great endurance in suffering and ministry will be accompanied by great patience in ministry as we watch God's faithfulness to His plan for His glory and our benefit.

God's plan includes the use of His servants' sufferings for the sake of the Gospel to communicate His love just as Christ suffered: "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church" (Col. 1:24). It is not that we suffer for sins like Christ did, nor is it that His suffering for sins is incomplete. What is lacking is that men see the love of God in the suffering of Christ. This is our mission. We must demonstrate Christ's great love by enduring all things for the gospel. This requires great endurance supported by great power as we accept God's work demonstrated through our service. Paul did this for the Colossians: "I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints" (Col. 1:25-26). This commission is to present the word of God, to explain the purpose of God, and to discover the plan of God: "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).

By appreciating the mystery of "Christ in you," Paul found the resources for great endurance in suffering for the church's benefit. He persevered by God's empowerment in the ministry of the word: "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me" (Col 1:28-29). Each Christian, each Church, each Christian Institution has a mission from God to proclaim, to admonish, to teach all wisdom-godliness-for the purpose of presenting-not just developing-mature Christians. Against all forces to the contrary, both internal and external, we must labor and struggle while depending on His power with a joyful, thankful spirit that we are given the privilege to suffer and endure all things to serve God and benefit His people.

This God-empowered great endurance accompanies God-empowered great patience in ministry because we trust in Him. Paul gives this motivation for his ministry to all: "I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally" (Col. 2:1). His purpose "is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:2-3). Here again Paul entwines the work of God with our service of faith and love so that we understand, know, and act wisely. Here God's revelation of the Faith produces courage of heart and loving unity as expressions of faith and love. Further, the divine activity is wrapped in an illuminated understanding of Christ. Then, saving faith becomes faithfulness to the truth as found in Christ alone. This serves to focus us in our activity and worship and to protect us from deception: "I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments" (Col. 2:4). There has always been, and, until the Lord returns, there will always be both external and internal deceivers who will try to either lure us from the Faith, water down our Faith, or make us exceptions to necessary faithfulness in particular instances so that we do not really trust Christ as an active engagement in holiness. We find protection in knowing the mystery of God, Christ, who contains the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. What powerful praise comes from God's work through our service!

Growing in the Faith

The manner of worthy living that pleases God comes in bearing fruit and increasing in the knowledge of God. To pit these two aspects of Christianity against each other is sinful. Paul joins these two aspects so as to indicate that growth in one necessitates in the activity of the other. Increased fruitful activity mandates increased knowledge of God in Christ. Neither of these tasks comes from the innate capacity of the human being. God must work in us to do both. When He works in us, both increase concomitantly. First, Paul explains our growth in the Lord by encouraging us, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (Col. 2:6-7). Paul teaches us to be faithful in our actions to the Faith. By way of elaboration, he warns us of beliefs to avoid and commends to us beliefs to embrace.

Paul warns, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ" (Col. 2:8). Human traditions and/or the basic principles of this world enslave humans with ideas that substitute the hollow and deceptive images of fulfillment, meaning, significance, and joy with the real satisfaction of holiness in Christ. They fool with the false because they refuse the full truth. Commenting on 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 where Paul warns against false, worldly alliances, Warfield reminds us that the ways of the world are not just neutral, but hostile to Christians:

It is because Christians are thus in principle holy and unbelievers are thus in principle unholy that he proclaims that it is incongruous that Christians should adopt their standards of life from unbelievers, who are not merely their opposites but their contradictories; so that there can be no mean between them but every one must be one or the other. (253)

Paul warns, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ" (Col. 2:16-17). Religious ritual is a hollow shadow of reality. False worship leads to self-righteous substitutes rather than relying on Christ:

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Col. 2:18-19)

Disconnection from Christ is fatal. Human traditions purpose to bring just such death to humanity. "What is forbidden is not that we should company with unbelievers; but that we should not adopt their points of view and their modes of life" (Warfield 248).

The human mantra since the enlightenment is "Man is the measure of all things." This hollow, deceptive anthropocentric obfuscation has enslaved many Christian institutions, churches, and church members. As a basic principle of this world, this mantra may appear wise, but it lacks value: "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence" (Col. 2:23). Its ability to deceive is great, but it disconnects its followers from Christ: "Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!' These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings" (Col. 2:20-22). The Faith follows its master, trusts His words, serves His plans and people, and hungers to know Him increasingly. There is "absolute conflict between the standards of the world and the standards of Christians" (Warfield 249); heed the warning, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ" (Col. 2:8).

Warfield adds that he is "against not association with the world, but compromise with the worldly" (248). Avoiding human traditions and the basic principles of the World alone does not suffice. We turn from them to embrace the Faith. Paul explains the Faith and encourages us to make it a practiced way of living, an experimental faith. Saving faith is faithfulness to the objective truths of God in Christ. These truths are found within the realities of the incarnation and the particular Lordship of Christ over believers: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority" (Col. 2:9-10).

On the one hand, the Lordship of Christ brings us to the putting off of our wicked affair with sin: "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead" (Col. 2:11-23). Again God works in us so that we come to serve Him.

On the other hand, the Lordship of Christ makes us alive to Him as His followers: "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ" (Col. 2:13a). He has dealt with sin decisively as we must continually while relying on Him by faith: "He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Col. 2:13b-15).

The world needs to witness our faithfulness in these small issues. Each Christian, church, and Christian institution must intentionally increase in relying on the effects of the cross to lead them to abandon error and live by truth-not a self-authorized community of truth, but "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the Saints" (Jude 3b). Submitting to the Lordship of Christ should cause us to turn from self-deception and turn to Him who gives meaning and significance to all reality, Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Sovereign.

Fruit-bearing Service

No less important, but fully integral with increasing in the Faith, is "bearing fruit in every good work" (Col. 1:10b). Because this aspect of a worthy walk depends on God's work in us, Paul again encourages us with theological fire. Because this aspect of pleasing God comes as a necessary part of our service to God, Paul applies "every good work" to our moral lives, to our family lives, and to our public lives.

Based upon our resurrection with Christ, Paul encourages us to set our hearts and minds on heavenly things by turning them away from earthly things: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Col. 3:1-2). He further explains that we died with Him, live with Him, and will be in glory with Him: "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Col. 3:3-4). Our salvation brings practical results here and now, but we may not be tied to the here and now. When our hearts and minds focus on heavenly matters, they are better equipped to guide our behavior in a godly fashion.

The biggest battle we face in life comes from our own moral character or lack thereof. Until we subordinate our moral wills to Christ's demands, our service to Him will be limited at best. Paul commands us, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5). These things offend God, "Because of these, the wrath of God is coming" (Col.3:6). They consist of our former life, from which we have turned when we turned to Christ: "You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived" (Col. 3:7). So we must rid ourselves of this former life: "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" (Col. 3:8). When we continue living in our former life, we live a lie to other Christians: "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all" (Col. 3:9-11). Because of the work of God conforming us to the image of Christ, Christ becomes the first priority in our life so that we put off our old life and put on our new life.

As if we are changing clothes, we put off the old and put on the new. It is God's work and our service. It constitutes a worthy life, which is pleasing to the Lord. Because God has decided to love us, we put on Christ's demeanor: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Col. 3:12). We put on Christ's patience: "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another" (Col. 3:13a). We put on Christ's forgiveness, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Col. 3:13b). To prevent these from being just external duties, we must wrap all these things up in Christ's love: "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Col. 3:14). Unity for the Christian is not an excuse to abuse other Christians, but a result of one joy, one empowering Spirit, one Faith, and one example that we follow-Christ's example.

After we are clothed in Christ, we must follow His rule with thanksgiving for the privilege. We thankfully submit our hearts to Christ: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" (Col. 3:15). We thankfully submit our minds to Christ, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Col. 3:16). With our hearts and minds subordinated to Christ, all our behavior can be done in His name (for His glory): "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:17).

The largest arena of behavior where Christ should be glorified is our family. Paul has advice for wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves and masters:

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. (Col. 3:18-4:1)

All these instructions come as applications to Christ's rule over our hearts, heads, and behavior. Christian behavior shows itself as most genuine when we are with our family.

Paul's last application is for our public lives as Christian cooperation: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Col. 4:2). We should pray, watch, and praise. We pray for opportunities to share the Gospel: "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains" (Col. 4:3). We also pray that we share the Gospel well: "Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should" (Col.4:4). We watch for opportunities to share the Gospel: "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity" (Col. 4:5). We praise with thanksgiving at all times so that we are sharing the Gospel wherever we are: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Col. 4:6).

God works in every Christian, church, and Christian institution in order that they would please Him with worthy living. Only He can do this among us. If this is not being done, He is not among us. This kind of life before God brings praise to Him and benefits to others. We should join Paul in praying that God will so work with our lives.

Application

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (Col. 2:6-7). Paul understands the relationship between divine truth and Christian living-godliness. Warfield understood too:

Truth exists only to produce godliness; that is true and needs to be kept constantly in mind. But no truth, no godliness,-that, too, is true and that, too, needs to be kept fully in mind. The only instrument in your hands or my hands for producing godliness is the truth; we are not primarily anything else but witnesses to truth; and the truth of God is the one lever by which we can pry at the hearts of men. (175)

Please allow me to make several appeals by way of exhortation.

Never be satisfied with your attainment in Christian thought and practice. Show the same dedication for the kingdom of God that is required of you by your discipline.
Never get enough of God's truth. While modernity presses you to think "outside the box," Paul presses you to think "inside the Book."
Never stop pursuing holiness from God's truth. Allow your thoughts to frequently visit the cross of Christ so that you share God's great abhorrence of sin and so that you embrace the great depth of the love of God for believers.
Never stop depending on God to finish in you what He has started. Only fear He who destroys the body and soul.

So then, to have any lasting effect in the integration of faith and learning, let us brave the world's barriers and exceed its limitations and enjoy a worthy life. Let us join with the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 so that we too may enjoy the same divine approbation,

who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned, they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. (Heb. 11:32-38; emphasis mine)

Works Cited

The Bible. New International Version.

Piper, John. Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. 10^th ed. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Books, 1996.

Warfield, Benjamin B. Faith & Life. 1916. Reprint. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1974.

CURTIS K. MCCLAIN, JR., is Chair of the Humanities Division and Professor of Bible at Missouri Baptist University. He earned his B.A. from Howard Payne University, in Brownwood, Texas, M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas, and Ph.D. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, in Memphis, Tennessee.