This is the question that has been simmering in my heart for weeks now, and I've waited for the right way and the right time to answer with the decided and resounding "yes!" that is really just a testimony of what God is doing in my life.
Theology is literally the study or knowledge of God. So the real question would be "is learning who (or the knowledge of who)God is capable of changing the way I live?" Anyone who has a personal relationship with their Creator would have to say "yes," but far too many fail to look further and realize that the more we know about God and how He thinks and how He saves and what He does can continue to change the way that we live and think.
For example, I can know that "all things work together for good," but until I understand the sovereignty of God and that he is working everything out for His glory, I will never truly be able to grasp how the bad things in my life could ever be good. Or I can know that you cannot lose your salvation, but until I understand how God has chosen me and brought me to himself, not of my works, because even the work of believing was His Spirit's work, only then do I truly understand how truly saved I am.
The study of God's salvation is transforming my heart. I feel newly saved. I cannot believe that I could have been saved for 27 years, but never glimpsed its true depth until just these past few months. Realizing the truth of salvation from God's perspective has humbled me, excited me, and created in me the longing to know Him better, to hunger and thirst after righteousness, in a way I could only wish for before. God chose me, He overcame my sinful will that would have led me to damnation, He sacrificed His only Son to be the propitiation for my sins, and He will continue this work in me. This is truly good news! This is the gospel.
Now go and tell the world.
4 comments:
I've appreciated reading your thoughts on the matter. I'm still not certain 100% if I am reformed, calvinist, armenian, whateverist :) I get confused with all the labels.
I do know this, God is a BIG God with a whole bunch of love for me, and for you sweet Alicia. He cares for us. That thrills me. To think in the world of billions of people, He cares for me and loves me intimately. Huge.
Amen!! I feel the exact same way! I did feel newly redeemed as I began to understand a more God-centered view of salvation. And the more I understand the doctrine of the sovereignty of God the more loved and blessed I feel. I know it's not about my feelings, but my affection for God has grown so much as a result of real, diligent study of His word. I wish we could get together and talk!!! It's so exciting to meet someone else on the same journey.
I have too felt the same way! All I can say is thank you,God!
Wonderful thoughts,Alicia!
Kim
I feel the same way. It is so important to have both head and heart knowledge of God. I think you can have one and not the other. Many people know about God, but do not know God. Or, you can have a zeal for God, but have little knowledge of who He is and what pleases Him. Hopefully that makes sense.
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