One of the strange things in life is outside of the Gospel ... change seems to be the only constant. When I came to this forum I was seeking the fellowship of Apostolics, and to commune with those of like precious faith.
When I came to AFF I had survived the greatest storms of my life yet was alive and planted in the faith. All I had ever known, including some of my paradigms, had been turned topsy-turvy before logging on for the first time and seeking to interact with a diverse group of believers of a common heritage that appreciated and encouraged open-discussion. Precious things we have lived all our lives have been challenged in the light of God’s Word and usually with sound reason allowing for iron to sharpen iron.
I came upon the AFF scene as one Admin described like “gang-busters” making 3,000 posts in the first 6 weeks. The dynamics were refreshing for a single father, caring for two children, hundreds of miles from the life he had ever known, and enjoyed the intellect, banter and camaraderie that is unique to this community.
Yet I am aware there could be a time and circumstance that could mandate that I need step away from this forum for good.
Time changes all things and I am entering a new season in my life.
And so I ask myself concerning after being exposed to this forum, how will my values compare with how I came compared to how I go?
How do I compare today?
How does ‘how I came’ stack up to the ‘right now’ of my life?
When ‘how I came’ versus ‘how I go’ .... how will I fare?
When I came
I believed that salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ
When I go
I will be convinced more than ever that repentant life and heart born of God will obey Acts 2:38
However, "I am a debtor in spite of my best efforts, and everything I receive from God comes is a gift of grace exclusive of merit on my part."
When I came
I knew the Gospel was not hidden.
When I go
When I came
I knew that Holiness was more than just a set of rules that one “practices”
When I go
I will go knowing that true holiness is God living through us in our actions, deeds, speech, character, choices, and relationships. Manifest is the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
When I came
I knew that baptism is a bible-based ordinance that new converts partake of and is administered in His name.
When I go
I will leave convinced that we have been authorized to baptize under the power and authority of the person of Jesus Christ whereby there is salvation in no one else. It is trust and reliance in the power of His personage and the authority of His name to remit sin and not a magical incantation or a well-meaning re-enactment of what He did once and for all.
Nor does salvation hang on the uttering a correct formula by the baptizer to effectuate sin remission or the application of the blood.
When I came
I believe that a heart dead in sin can be quickened to life through faith in Jesus Christ by the regenerative power of the Holy Ghost.
When I go
I leave convinced that John 3 speaks of a spiritual birth that is indeed evident in the natural parallel that Jesus gave Nicodemus.
One writer describes this as follows:
The mother pays the price of birth. She doesn’t enlist the child’s assistance or solicit his or her advice. Why would she? The baby can’t even take a breath without umbilical help, much less navigate a path into new life. Nor, Jesus is saying, can we.
Spiritual rebirthing requires a capable parent, not an able infant.
Who is this parent? Check the strategically selected word again. The Greek language offers two choices for again:
1. Palin, which means a repetition of an act; to redo what was done earlier.
2. Anothen, which also depicts a repeated action, but requires the original source to repeat it. It means “from above, from a higher place, things which come from heaven or God.” In other words, the one who did the work the first time does it again. This is the word Jesus chose.
Jesus means something else. He employs the second Greek term, calling for the action of the original source. He uses the word anothen, which, if honored in the Paris gallery, would require da Vinci’s presence. Anothen excludes:
Latter-day replicas.
Second-generation attempts.
Well-meaning imitations.
This is the act that Jesus describes.
Born: God exerts the effort.
Again: God restores the beauty.
We don’t try again. We need not the muscle of self, but a miracle of God.
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