Reflections

Today's sermon was on Acts 21 and giving your testimony.

Everyone's testimony is worth telling for the simple fact that it is a testament to what God has done, not what we have done. On this theme, Pastor Nick addressed the idea of a 'boring testimony' and laid out that a 'boring testimony' is a blessing, not a curse. God providing grace earlier on in your life by placing you in an intact family that raised you in church is a good thing, not a bad thing.

Additionally, he made a point about how we should be pursuing sanctification, and I wanted to hone in on this by making a specific point: The term 'Carnal Christian' is an oxymoron.

This is seen best in 1st Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NET 2nd ed.)

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

This is similar to the terms 'Gay Christian' or 'Judeo Christian'. You are either a Christian or you are not. There's nothing you can append to the term that won't distort it.

We are not called to hold onto our sins, but to give them up. We won't be fully sinless in this life, but that does not change what we are commanded to be and do.

1 Peter 1:13–16 (NET 2nd ed.)

13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, 15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”