I'm so sick and tired of having to hear the same arguments over and over as to why the POTUS doesn't "deserve" a second term. Of course things aren't perfect; no matter who was in office at this point, I'm 95.723% sure it wouldn't be much better. Why? Because things don't work like that (quickly).
Speaking of...there's a lot of talk regarding the President's faith or the lack (thereof). Many conservative Christians have criticized him left and right (no matter what wing they fly on). They seem to be so good at that and not so good at other things. I mean, it's kewl (sic) if you have exploits and all, but uh...show me your faith by how you speak of others; specifically, your building up AND NOT TEARING DOWN.
Some of our supposed religious leaders have gotten on my last nerve. Noticed I said "gotten", not getting...the damage has been done.
So what do we do?! As always, "I'm (so) glad you asked."
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness,
and receive with meekness the implanted word,
which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away,
and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
Ever forget what you look like? #reflectOnThat
...
Let's get started 'cause this is gonna be quick and to the point. Kind of like the separation of "soul and spirit" (Hebrews 4:12).
"Knowledge without application is...."
There are many words that can be used to complete this phrase; however, for today's entry I'm going to suggest we use the word trivia. What is trivia?
According to freedictionary.com "trivia" is unimportant, trifling things or details, especially obscure and useless knowledge. How can knowledge be useless? Well, to speak plainly, anything that isn't useful must seem useless in a world of dichotomies (A vs. B, Good vs. Evil, Stop vs. Go, etc.)
I've been in the Christian "game" for a little bit; a short ways past 2 decades. There have been times earlier on when I was absorbing mass amounts of knowledge concerning the Bible, the Christian way of life, and potential applications of these two in a combined format. It wasn't really until nearing the end of my undergraduate career that I had come to realize how useless my knowledge had become. In fact at this point all it amounted to was trivia, facts that I could spew out if necessary. I was not learned in ways to do Bible study. Hell (heck for those of us with sensitive ears), I couldn't even tell you what hermeneutics meant until after I attended a very intense "summer camp" at Duke University. With all of this said...even after being taught by some of the great minds in religious thought, there was no sincere application until much later. I guess you could say I was experiencing my growing pains, more specifically what happens when you don't use what you know in the context it was meant for.
Lost, confused, want some examples? How about this...
Ever been in a situation where you know what to do. I mean, if someone else was going through, you'd have the words to say or know exactly how to find the way out. How come when we get in those situations ourselves we have the hardest time of putting our skills, knowledge, and gumshoe like mentality to work, in order to solve the problems or at a minimal ease the pain? For those of us who have read Scripture and understand a little bit about what's going on in those 66 books, have you ever got through "a storm" in life and then look back and said, "Well dag, I sure knew what I was supposed to do, or could've done...and I didn't do it." One specific example that comes to mind for me is living life until something happens and then calling on God to save me (again). Once he comes through (as he always does) I'm reminded that I had the tools and knowledge necessary to help ease the situation. I should still ask for his help regardless, but it's not as if I was totally helpless.
Think about it this way. How often does the "knowledge" used on game shows such as #familyFeud, #whoWants2BaMillionaire, and #jeopardy get put to use outside of those contexts? Even more of a thought provoking question, can knowing any of those answers save your life? I bet you the people involved in those go on to not even bring those types of thoughts back to memory unless they're caught in a similar situation (e.g. Trivial Pursuit, Taboo, Charades, etc.)
When it comes to Scripture there are more than enough references, guidelines, and strategies that will help you live the life you were created to live...if only you'd apply it.
This is why I believe (as someone once said) "knowledge without application is trivia".
Shortly after I had arrived to Carnegie Mellon to begin my graduate school "career" I met with my prospective campus minister for lunch. They asked me what I was trying to achieve in a spiritual sense during my projected 2 years in Pittsburgh. "Application" was my answer. I had realized that I had played in the game long enough, riding the bench every once in a while, mostly interjecting as a 6th, 7th, or 8th man. I had more than enough skills to be promoted to the starting lineup, but I didn't practice as I ought. Every athlete knows this to be true: "You play the way you practice." If I don't practice in game-like scenarios, I won't be ready when my number gets called out. And here's the thing, whether you are ready or not, you STILL have to play in the game.
"LiMitz, you're up!"
I'm not too big on the history of Christianity and movements or what not. What I do know is that the Bible hasn't changed since it was divinely inspired (2 Tim. 3:16).
SN: You'll notice today's scriptures are all New King James Version. I did that to please the evangelicals...you know, keeping it close to the "original".
Jesus talked about a lot of things. He gave a number of commands. One in particular has been dubbed as a commissioning (sending out of): Make disciples, Baptize, and Teach (Matt. 28:19-20).
The making of disciples, baptizing and teaching causes us to do some evangelism. Evangelizing is literally spreading the gospel of Christ through our witness. For some people that means going around with a sign that says what they believe. For others like me, it means being a good example by the way you live and not so much by the things you say (all the time, w/o action to back them up). Many "Christians" have failed in this context because they are more concerned about their spreading of the Gospel than ensuring they live a life of application; they've also been given very horrible examples to follow (instead of following the example of Christ). It really strikes me as odd some of the things that people do who have the term "evangelical" attributed to them. Many conservatives have been deemed evangelical because of a movement some time ago where "fundamentalism" became tied to being an evangelical. The reality is that anyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ should be an evangelical by association.
Going a step further beyond being evangelical is to become intentional. Intentional with our honesty in our conversations between us and God, intentional in our building of relationships with both believers and unbelievers, intentional in applying the Scripture to our lives and actually doing what we're supposed to. You're not going to get it all down at once. Try taking small steps such as practicing humility for a week, or compassion, etc. It will take time, but you have your life to get this applied. Think of the Word as a coating (e.g. Lotion). You apply it over and over again til eventually it begins to fit you naturally, or in other words there's a "new" you because of the application of a new "coat" onto your being (e.g. Moisturized instead of dry skin).
On last week during our Graduate Christian Fellowship discussion we talked about stereotypes of Christians, especially in an academic setting. There's always the thought of any person of faith being stupid, mindless, and gullible. We also have the instance where people feel that all Christians are out to convert everyone, to which my response has always been (even when asked directly), "I don't convert people. That's Jesus' job." Anyone who has a good understanding of the gospel knows that conversion is a "matter of the heart"; conviction is a step (or steps) beyond convincing. Many people don't need to be convinced, they need to be convicted.
I'm not gonna lie to you. Why would I...have you seen the name of the blog lol. Application is tough. It takes time, but it's well worth it. Look back at how you used to be, used to act for example. Certainly you've matured in some areas of your life. Why? Most likely because you've applied specific thoughts or philosophies in your life. For example, you probably don't laugh at everything the way you used to because you came to realize some of those things weren't as funny as you got older (e.g. Someone farting out the blue). Perhaps you don't talk as fast as you used to because you came to understand that people couldn't fully grasp what you were saying, and that taking breaths and speaking slowly would better help get your point across.
If there is anything that you take from this, it should be: Don't just talk about it, be about it!
Anyone can be evangelical, it takes an honest person to look in the mirror and say, "I haven't been as intentional as I should be. This changes now." #application
Anyone can be evangelical, it takes an honest person to look in the mirror and say, "I haven't been as intentional as I should be. This changes now." #application
I pray blessings on your continued journey of spirituality and embracing of the Creator. May you become intentional in all your doings, and in all your doings get understanding.
God Bless,
liMitz
P.S. There are many type of "evangelical" and evangelicalism...you need not worry of the different types, but concern yourself on the application of what is written in Scripture. Being intentional will arise when it needs to [naturally] b/c you will have learned to apply it...which will lead to you living it.
Amen.
