Christian Living
My name is David Story. Or if you wish, you can refer to me as ST5009901. I am currently beginning my college studies (at the age of 51, I might add) towards an Associates’ Degree in Biblical Studies at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, TX.
But if I have not love, I am nothing.
Some of my classes over the next four years (God willing) will include:
English Composition; Historical Literature; Science and Computer; Wisdom Literature; Anatomy and Physiology; The Gospels, Acts and Pauline Literature; General Epistles and Revelation; Christian Ethics; God, Christ and Holy Spirit; Man, Sin and Salvation; Angels, Church and Prophecy; and Ministry, Evangelism and Discipleship.
But if I have not love, I am nothing.
Some of the books I’ll be using this semester include Bill Hull’s Jesus Christ Disciplemaker, J. I. Packer’s Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, Mark P. Cosgrove’s Foundations of Christian Thought: Faith, Learning, and the Christian Worldview, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament (Walvoord and Zuck, eds.)
But if I have not love, I am nothing.
By the end of this semester alone I will (or should) be able to “Demonstrate a clear understanding of the biblical truths underlying the Spirit-directed message of the gospel. State the common views of the secular, religious unbeliever opposing the gospel, and the nominal believer who refuses to share the gospel. Explain some of the major apologetics supporting the gospel. Develop a biblical philosophy of evangelism. Build a realistic evangelism strategy for training church members. Give evidence of an understanding of the biblical principles for discipleship. Describe an effective follow-up program of discipleship for new believers.”
Impressive, yes?
But if I have not love, I am nothing.
As a matter of fact …
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
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Words in italics at the end of article are from the Holy Bible (1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 – NIV)
Words in quotes are taken from the Ministry, Evangelism, and Discipleship Class syllabus (College of Biblical Studies, Houston, Spring Semester 2012)
Thanks to R.C. Sproul Jr. for the inspiration (got the idea while reading the article “Smart is not a Fruit” in the February 2012 edition of TableTalk Magizine; Ligonier Ministries).
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