Last night, I had an awesome conversation (what some might call ’iron time’), with one of the other students. For his take on this, read Ross Dyer’s blog called: “Take off the dress you fool!” We were being real with each other, and asking questions like: “What do you see in me that needs to change?” Somewhere in the conversation, God brought a portion of scripture back to my mind from earlier in the day, and I had somewhat of a revelation. It was 1 John 2:13-14. I’m not saying that my conclusion is the literal or intended meaning of the text, but just hear me out. I won’t be too heretical. Promise.
“13 I am writing to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I am writing to you who are young in the faith
because you have won your battle with the evil one.
. . . . . .
14[b] I have written to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith
because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
and you have won your battle with the evil one.”
I had a hard time understanding why John formatted it this way – and to be honest, I still don’t really know why. Maybe it was something to do with literary technique, or a style that we don’t really use in the English language. Having read it yesterday I’m still not 100% sure what it means, but it wasn’t until that night that God spoke to me through it. Basically, he said: “Stop settling for just knowing who I am, and start winning battles. I am my word, so I’ll live in you. And start winning battles; not just for you, but to win others to my kingdom as well. I created you to be strong, and I gave you a zeal; why then, do you think you can “mature” out of being a radical Christian?” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a mature Christian that can handle sin because I know Christ. If that’s what growing up in the faith is, then I don’t want it. Luckily, I don’t think we’re necessarily doomed to that scholarly, apathetic, passionless faith. Yeah, it’s important to have knowledge, but I’d choose zeal over knowledge any day. Knowledge can always be gained, but I never want to be unimpressed with God.
Young in the faith,
Zack
When you say it’s iron time, is that referring to Proverbs 27:17? Cause I think I remember you guys talking about something like that during my last visit. Either way, it’s awesome to see how God works through you Xmin guys during your time together!
Yeah, that’s what it’s referring to. And thanks, it was some much-needed time of raw conversation – straight forward q&a. But I’m so glad we had that time.