My Convictions

In 1985, at the age of 26, I experienced an awakening of my soul. It wasn’t anything as dramatic as a “road to Damascus” experience, but I came to realize that if I really believed that there is a God in heaven, that He really exists, and that His word is True, then this belief should be reflected in my faith, my actions, and my attitude. I realized that I had been living according to the world’s expectations, and not according to God’s. The words of the Bible became very real to me at that time. Jesus said, “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Those words began to resonate with me.

Yet all I found around me were people who seemed perfectly content to compromise with “the world.” I wanted to be real with God and look to him and not to the “flesh” for my heart's desire. (1) I wondered if there were any people left who were willing to really “buy the whole field” so to speak.(2)

I knew, of course, that such people existed. I witnessed the devotion of my brother, a Franciscan, who sacrificed much to follow the Lord. Yet I firmly believed there was a path, as yet undiscovered, that would lead me through life in this world while remaining fully devoted to the Kingdom of God.

My attitudes and interests began to evolve. Television, which had once been such an important part of my life, now seemed putrid to my senses. Most of what it aired was shallow, licentious, sensual, or distorted. I began to turn away from it. My tastes in literature and music began to change. Before long I was in a deep pursuit of spiritual and intellectual truth.

Above all, I began to realize what eternity really means. It seemed hypocritical for me to expect to enjoy eternity with God, while at the same time living this mortal life on Earth seeking to please only myself and pushing God to the side. If God Lives, then that Means Something!

So there I was -- wandering around this frontier between the world and Kingdom of God. I wondered if there was any place to set up a little homestead in this crazy wilderness of 80 years or so that we call “life.”

One day, I found that I was not alone, that there were other sojourners with whom I could find fellowship. And with them I decided that I would “stake my claim.”

• I stake my claim with those who behave as though there is a living God, and who take the Bible seriously;
• I stake my claim with those who aren’t content to live according to the World’s standards and values;
• I stake my claim with those who dare to believe that there is hope for the Children of Israel and for the Restoration of the Land of Promise;
• I stake my claim with those who believe the kingdom of God truly will fill the whole Earth and that the knowledge of God will cover the world as the waters cover the sea; and,
• I stake my claim with those who pray and pray and pray, and are willing to let God use them, forsaking all to follow Jesus.
  

I do not assert that the way I and my fellow pilgrims have discovered is the only way to live a sanctified life, devoted to the Lord. Far from it! But it is my calling, and I will live it, by the Grace of God, until the day when I meet Him face to face.

Notes:
(1) 1John2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

(2) Mat 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.