What Right Does Clay Have?

Ok, here's a thought for today. I was reading through Colossians today and ran past this:

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

This scripture has been very important to me over the years, especially important during my years of college and grad school. The Lord has blessed me with opportunities over the years to share the gospel with friends. Unfortunately, in my mind it seems like there isn't always a lot of fruit to it. I've realized that I have to simply speak the truth and trust the Lord to accomplish His will. The reason I say it seemed unfruitful is because it didn't seem like I was a part of any huge transformations. Again, I think I have realized through it all that it is less about me and more about my obedience and trust.

I had several friends in college who I believe were truly seeking to find or understand the meaning of life...or seeking for the Lord, "if He was out there." I think of this one guy in particular. He really was a good friend, but it's interesting too look back and think of how there seems to be a barrier to how deep you can go as friends when you have completely different worldviews. I loved this guy. He was definitely smarter than I was. We would spend all night talking. I even got him to hire me for a 3rd shift job during Winter Break so we could stock shelves at Toys R Us and talk philosophy and theology. I was impressed to hear him talk about the things he was learning in scripture. We would talk back and forth...semi-debate...but really just challenging each other's thoughts and trying to get a better grasp on the things we believe.

I think it was through this experience that I realized that I can't debate or prove Christianity through philosophy or a string of thought. If we think about it, our relationship with God is our faith. I don't know that I would call it a blind faith. I believe that there is a lot of evidence for what I believe. I also have an insane conviction and understand the Holy Spirit in me. ...but when it comes down to talking about the meaning of the universe with a non-believer, what can we preach, teach, or debate but scripture. A conviction, or the Holy Spirit in us is nothing more than an "inward feeling" to a non-believer. All we have (which is everything) is the Holy Word of God. Well, the Solid Rock of the Word of God won't hold as anything in a conversation or debate with someone who isn't a Christian, because the Holy Spirit isn't working in their life and they don't see the scriptures as powerful and wonderful like I do. I don't think that is robbing the scriptures of anything, but it's a blindness that is caused by an unregenerate heart. The ONLY remedy for that is God Himself.

So...why was I trying so hard to find the best philosophical thought and point that I could. We could debate philosophy all day, but the only real truth that I should stand on is scripture! I really believe that philosophical arguments are not as strong, and can even be harmful to your own theological beliefs. I want my foundation to always be scripture. If I'm filling myself with arguments and thoughts, they may be beneficial for arguments sake, but I think I would rather speak scripture to my situations like Christ did as he was fasting.

Christ is our Solid Rock!

I wrote a coffe-shopesque song out of this expereince years ago. ...I guess it intertwines these thoughts with Romans 9 about God's sovereignty and wisdom.

Feel free to take a listen. Click and listen, or right click and save:
Clay Song



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETERNAL CHURCH (06.28.09)

:HAPPY DAY: TIM HUGHES

:HERE IS OUR KING: DAVID CROWDER* BAND
:GOD ABOVE (MY RESCUE): VICTORY CHURCH
:ALL CREATURES, NO.2: DAVID CROWDER* BAND

:THERE IS NONE: JESSE SCHLICHER
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------