What’s Next, Part 2

After reading (or listening to) the seven parts of my journey in Christ, I want to encourage you to begin reading what I’ve shared in the “ARTICLES” section of this website. I have categorized these articles into seven (7) broad categories:

1. Foundational. This section will have articles focused on topics that will lay a foundation for the more complicated ones. This is important because I’ve listened as people asked difficult questions where they didn’t really know or understand some of the more basic ideas about God taught in the Scriptures. For example, I’ve heard people ask, “If an all-powerful and all-loving God exists, then why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?” While this question is an important question to answer, I think it’s also important that we define certain words first. Now, if someone asked me this question, I’d begin by asking the following questions:

• “Biblically, I know what these terms mean, but what do you mean when you use the phrases ‘all-powerful’ and ‘all-loving’; what do you mean when you use the word, ‘God’; what do you mean when you use the word, ‘evil’; and what do you mean when you use the word, ‘suffering’?”

• Also, “From the implications of the question, it’s implied if an all-powerful and all-loving God actually existed, He should protect all people from harm and suffering. If this is true, where does it say that He should do those things?”

Knowing what is meant by the use of certain words or phrases is paramount to clarity and understanding. For example, when people refer to the God of the Bible as “all-powerful and all-loving”, I know they are quoting someone else – and haven’t read or studied it themselves. Why do I say that? Well, because the God of the Bible IS SO MUCH MORE than just a being who possesses all power and loves deeply!

The answers to these questions will become important as we begun to tackle more difficult questions – because I don’t want us to use the same words but yet mean different things, which can lead to confusion and potential hard feelings. So, in order for us to have productive discussions on difficult topics, we must have a foundation of clarity to build off of. This is what this section will try and do.

2. Curious Non-Believers. This section will have articles focused on teaching the spiritually hungry about Christ and His Eternal Kingdom. Since these people have already felt the tug on their hearts – and are sincere in their quest – I will address their concerns (i.e., not so much “the curiosity of the insincere”).

3. New Believers. This section will have articles focused helping New Believers mature and draw closer to Christ. This is important because all New Believers must be taught the fundamentals of the faith (i.e., prayer; Bible reading; Bible study; fasting; the giving of time, finances, talents and other resources to God’s Kingdom;, etc…). Without this knowledge and training, there’s a good chance some New Believers will sit on a church pew for years (even decades), become “religious” and bear no fruit in their lives or God’s Kingdom. This will show itself at The Judgment Seat of Christ – where all Believers will have to give an account for the lives they chose to live. The standard WILL NOT BE, “Were you a good person or did you live a good life?” No, the standard WILL BE, “Did you read, study and obey God’s Word, as well as how often did you follow and obey the leading of His Spirit?” So, the articles in this section were written to help New Believers grow and mature in their walk with their Lord. NOTE: This growth always shows itself in the “sacrificial” giving of time, money, talent and other resources, as well as in ministry!

4. Church-Centered Believers. This section will have articles focused on helping Believers who have a foothold on the fundamentals of the faith and have focused so much of their time and effort on church activities begin to change their focus to the local community and even the world at large. This is an important growth step for maturing in Christ. Why? Because some New Believers will stunt their spiritual growth at “serving at the local church” – but haven’t given thought to their local community or others on this planet. Additionally, this section will encourage Believers to place Christ at the center of their lives. In short, Christ will move – in their heart and mind – from SAVIOR to LORD (i.e., Ruler, Master of their life).

5. Christ-Centered Believers. This section will have articles focused on (A) continuing to place Christ at the center of every decision in life – and going deeper with it, (B) developing your character [e.g., Honesty – telling the truth even when it’s difficult, Integrity – doing what is right even when no one is watching, Courage – standing for what’s right despite fear or risk, Humility – acknowledging limits and valuing others, Responsibility – being accountable for your actions, Perseverance – enduring challenges without giving up, Compassion – caring deeply about the well-being of others, etc..], and (C) finding His purpose for your life – and then doing it! Additionally, several articles will focus more on some of the more challenging topics in Christendom (e.g., apologetics, disputation, Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox, why so many Bible versions, why suffering, etc..). NOTE: The reason why I cover these complicated topics at this level is because ONLY THEN is a person ready to learn this information! In other words, many skeptics, agnostics, and curious non-believers are not ready for this kind of information – similar to a four year old not being ready for calculus. And while there are a small percentage of people who might benefit from this knowledge even though they haven’t given their hearts and minds to Christ just yet, most will not be ready because their hearts and minds belong to someone else.

6. Wayward Believers. This section will have articles focused on helping those who’ve been hurt by life, circumstances, and other Believers to focus more on the vertical and less on the horizontal. See, all human beings are imperfect. The Pope. Your pastor. Your priest. Your deacon. Your elder. Every cardinal, archbishop, and bishop. Every person who has ever walked planet Earth – except for Adam and Eve when they were first created, and our lord Himself – is imperfect and in need of a Savior. Also, since I walked away from Christ and the church for many years, I know what it’s like to be angry and disappointed with the people who were supposed to protect our hearts! So, I offer some words of encouragement, wisdom and insight to help those who want to return to their Lord and do so without all of the hang-ups found within the four walls of the church. So, let me show you how to return to your Lord and discover that He’s been awaiting your return!

7. Mature Believers. This section will have articles on helping Mature Believers (A) focus on their calling and gifting, (B) helping them to remain humble and never lose sight of who they are and whose they are, and (C) encouraging them to teach, inspire, correct, rebuke, encourage, and uplift the next generation of Believers!

I have written the above-mentioned articles to categorize and prioritize information so that people can make better informed decisions about Christ.

Also, I’ve written the articles to kind of mimic the schooling many of us grow up with:

• Pre-School
• Elementary School
• Middle (or Junior High) School
• High School
• A Year-Off, Backpacking in Europe
• Undergraduate
• Graduate

I hope you enjoy these articles!

If you have questions or comments, email me here.

In His Name,

Roy