2025 Week 21
Hello, Springers!
In James 1:2-5 it says:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
I grew up in a small town and didn’t really feel surprised by an idea until I got to college. Sure, I was always amazed learning new things. I loved school, and it came easily to me. There were also trusted adults in my life who taught me the basics of right and wrong. But in college, I encountered something new.
What was the idea that surprised me? Moral relativism.
I walked into this idea like walking into a brick wall.
Someone politely listened as I shared the gospel with them. They waited until I had finished my spiel. Then they looked at me and said, “Yes, well, that’s true for you. But truth is relative.”
It never entered my mind that someone could give such an answer. It made no sense to me, but I politely let the other person give their response, and I realized I had no idea what to say next.
I couldn’t form a refutation to their argument because I didn’t even know how they came to their position. I didn’t know how anyone could reach such a conclusion.
Theologian and pastor R.C. Sproul wrote a book titled The Consequences of Ideas. It is a primer on philosophy, a good read for late high school and early college students, and an exploration of how ideas unfold in the world we all live in. Ideas do have consequences.
In college, I witnessed the consequences of moral relativism before I understood the ideas underlying it and before I was familiar with the arguments that challenge it.
Perhaps you’ve been surprised by an idea you’ve encountered in the past. Perhaps you haven’t known how to answer it. Perhaps you’ve seen the consequences of an idea before you could articulate it.
Moments like these remind me of my limited intelligence and perspective. But they also remind me that the most important work I do in a day is to pray and ask for wisdom from the Father who gives generously (cf. James 1:5).
After praying, our work is to listen and think, then think and listen. Then we ought to pray again. Reading is peppered in there throughout. But praying is most important, especially while reading, thinking, and listening. Talking comes last – very last. (Unless, of course, you’re a verbal processor talking to yourself in order to formulate thoughts.)
Don’t be discouraged, friends. God is surely doing something with you when he tests your faith this way (cf. James 1:2-4).
in Christ,
Pastor Tag