Spring semester of 2013 was over a week ago. My semester was tough. It brought me a lot of stress and tears. All the work that I had to go through in the end paid off. The trials I had to go through led me to persevere in my faith. Looking back, my faith in God strengthened.
As I wait for my final semester, with only one course to finish, my break has been very refreshing as I enjoy being close with God in reading His word and talking to Him. Additionally, I'm still taking Willingdon School of Bible. The course I'm taking currently is on the General Epistles. Because of my busy semester, I skipped two classes. At the same time, I'm very grateful to be catching up with the course as I listen to the lectures online. Also, I have to catch up on my textbook reading.
After today's Wednesday dinner at my church, I sensed the urgency to study Christian Apologetics again. After dinner, some of us crowd together and had a lot of discussions about science and cults and etc. With rather interesting discussions happening, they made me realize that my thinking and knowledge of science have gotten weaker. Just like an olympian that needs to cultivate in his/her training, so does the defense of one's faith need to be cultivated.
As a Christian living in a world where people are getting secular, it is very important for me to give reasons for my faith - why I believe in the existence of God. I hope for this break or transition period from the school world to the working world I would grab my resources and start studying again.
To Christians, please realize that you're aliens and strangers (exiles) in this world. Your citizenship is in heaven. At the same time, you have been appointed by Jesus Christ to spread the Gospel. At the same time, people will go against you. The world will hate you because it hated Jesus first. BUT...
Remember what Peter says, "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." (1 Peter 3:13-16)
Remember what Paul says, "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
