A True Believer

I know a girl who calls herself a “Belieber”. She identifies herself as one of Justin Bieber's greatest fans. She went on endlessly about how much she loved Justin Bieber. I suppose I'd heard that from quite a few younger folk who share her opinion. Smitten and content about what they believe in. I personally don't know very much about Justin Bieber, I mean, I've heard of him and kind of remember what he looks like. Nice hair, cool tattoos, sick “fast and the furious” cars and super sneakerhead high tops that, I suppose, are way cooler than my Vans. I quickly shoved him into that teen pop icon label. One day I decided to ask her for some more insight. If anyone would be able to clue me in it must be her, a True Believer. So I asked a few questions like, what were his songs called so I can look them up, what does he sing about? The doubt in her voice surprised me as she sighed and told me she wasn't really sure what he sang about. She said that she knew some of his songs but forgot what they were called. I thought that a little strange so I turned the context of my questions to simpler queries like, where is he from, how did you find out about him? She continued the awkwardness while responding with “ I'm not quite sure where he's from, maybe Canada? I don't know... I haven't really listened to him much but my friends tell me all about him... I think he's cool and cute and I’m in love with him”. I started to get frustrated because I really wanted to learn about this whole thing. She seemed happy and excited about him and I kind of wanted to feel that way too.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I gently pointed out that she might want to look into this stuff a little more before she goes around calling herself the president on the fan club. It's kind of a silly title when she couldn't answer entry-level trivia about him or clearly didn't know him personally. No history of him, no descriptives that she lovingly held on to. A void of nostalgic factoids, simply a blind faith. Now picture this same scenario, only Insert Jesus Christ in the place of Justin Bieber.

Unfortunately I've seen similar complacency in curious Christians lives. The fickle frills of the love only gospel’s appeal is left standing in their lonely hearts as if a spiritual valentine was dropped off. A valentine without the vows and commitments of a truly accountable relationship. Consider the Justin beliebers. The intention behind loving Justin Bieber is manifested in self-efficacy. Certainly a demonstration to friends and peers alike that she is in tune with normalcy, reactive to popular philosophies and somewhat pleasured by this fad whether she knows the fundamental theologies affiliated with that topic or not. When I see or experience the same approaches to a Christian walk in action, I assimilate the same secular behaviours to a much higher moral standard calling.

A Christian without integral knowledge of Christ is more drastically alarming than a Belieber without knowledge of Justin Bieber, but they nevertheless exist. I was one. I felt a well needed self esteem boost by belonging to the worship team at my church. I could play my guitar on a stage for free, rocking out while wooing the hearts of the cute ,single Christian girls. I yawned through Bible study and forgot how to pray. However, I remembered quickly as I sought God exclusively for remedial action toward my self inflicted malady. It seemed that the emptiness I felt needed to turn into a volcano of worldliness in order to erupt its life destroying lava carefully scorching the misdirection out of my heart. I was then eager to relocate my spirit to the life-giving, green pastures of God's word.

1 Corinthians 1:20

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Now,I can't guarantee that a Christian's life becomes easier because, well, it doesn't. At least not in a way a comfortable world view may want it. Conviction generally comes first in a truthful yet calming way. Amazingly, secular science starts to make sense. Ethical absolutes and naturalized moral compass structure suddenly betray their roots in historical scripture through the undertone of good news in the spoken gospel ministries of Our Lord. The disappointment with the unattractive ”don'ts” of a Godly life give way to the obsession with the attractive allure of the “Dos”which ultimately lead to a life more abundant. There is a story about the engineering student who is jealous of his classmates PhD because he himself wasn't awarded that same degree after he shoved his text book unread in a locker, collecting dust but still, he attended classes. He scratched his head with his ruler and his compass and his calculator and wondered how he was so uneducated after all. We may never take God's reward so lightly. Whether it be through biblical insights or the multi-faceted Christian adherent lifestyle, the benefits roll in for all who commit to this wonderful relationship. To the broken hearted kids of neglect, divorce or abusive comes a loving father. He is full of everlasting, Undying Love, attention and personal interest and you. A father to the fatherless.

Galatians 3:26

All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:6

Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

To the naturalist comes an internship with the ultimate PhD holder in Natural Sciences.

God holds degrees in entomology, zoology, biology, cardiology and all branches of physics.

Romans 1:20

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

To the depressed or anxious come remedies not found inside of soft Science Psychology. Valium veneers or scriptural replacement rehabs don't do their job the same way the original life sciences textbook does. Psychology has its task of understanding social interaction and mending its mistakes. It's mistakes are not understanding that God is not mistaken when identifying problem areas in early social sciences. Don't struggle with pseudo Scientific labels or diagnosis. You are made in God's image.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

To the artist he shows colours and light.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

To musicians he presents worship and praise in the Psalms,David's compositions so refreshing in early in origin.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. …

To coffee snobs he gives coffee beans and to farmers he gives rain and taste buds to enjoy their crops.

Proverbs 18:20

From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

On and on. I can assure Justin Bieber fans that he will definitely age and sing a different tune. He has feelings and would likely feel better if fans cared about what his favourite colour was or the meaning behind his words. God however does not age his words do not return to him void

.Isaiah 55:11

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

His favorite color is all of them. His words are eternal and will not return to him void. Are you content being a nominal Christian? Belong to him because he loves you. Commit to the best relationship you'll ever have. Fresh beats stale and active overpowers stagnant.

Knowledge here is powerful and free by grace, study to show yourself approved.