As we prepare for another semester at Christ Seminary, it is helpful to keep the end in mind. Remembering the goal of our labor helps us to focus on what is most important. The conclusion of many types of classes, though not as much at Christ Seminary, is successfully passing a final exam.
When I was in seminary, a professor gave me a beneficial reminder (and wake-up call) related to final exams. It was the last session of my first semester and the professor had just given the instructions for the exam, when he said this:
“Remember—the real final exam for this class is Judgment Day.”
Sobering, isn’t it? Few things help to put classes, books, papers, and life in general into perspective like a reminder that we will all stand before the judgment seat of the living God, and give Him an account (Rom. 14:10-12). It would be less awesome and terrible if He did not know all secrets and plan to disclose them, but, as we know from Scripture, He does know and He will disclose (Rom. 2:16, 1 Cor. 4:5, Heb. 4:13, Acts 1:24, Prov. 10:9). This is who God is.
Remember, then, in all of your studies in the coming semester, that you are a steward of the grace of God. If you are a Christian, you are the beneficiary of the ministry of the Holy Spirit and you are a guardian of the gospel. Much has been entrusted into your care, and much will be required of you (Luke 12:48). Mercifully, it is the Lord—the very One who will examine you!—who will also keep you from stumbling (Jude 1:24-25)!
If you are not a Christian, then God has caused this blog post to fall into your hands by some mysterious providence, and you must also know that God has given you very much and that much will be required of you as well. God has given you life and breath, health and ability, capacity of mind and of body. He has fed you, given you drink, sustained you, protected you, provided for your every need, and has often withheld His wrath from falling on you immediately, though you deserve utter punishment. You, too, will stand before Him in this final examination of mankind. There is only one way to prepare for that day, only one way to make sure that it is not the worst day of your existence.
Repent and believe in the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ!
If you are a Christian, you too should prepare for that final examination. Examine your life to see if there are any hurtful ways in your manner of living (Ps. 139:24). Pray that God would protect you from the domination of sin (Ps. 19:13). Make it your ambition to be pleasing to God in every aspect of your character and actions (2 Cor. 5:9). These things can only be accomplished by God’s help, through the power He provides, and for His glory.
We all need to remember that this life will culminate in a final, eschatological examination. Whatever tests and exams we may face until then are mere precursors and forerunners to that great event. There is coming a day when we shall all be examined to the uttermost—and this final examination will be cumulative. Prepare, then, for that day! There is no reason to be found apart from Christ, or to be found an unrighteous steward. The Lord will grant Christians the grace to pass the examination by the finished work of Christ (Rom. 5:1, Rom. 8:1, Col. 2:13-14, Titus 3:4-7)! Praise Him!
--Dean of Admissions
No comments:
Post a Comment