The excellencies of Christ — EXCELLENT!! As I have been working with the Junior High guys, I have become convicted along these lines. It seems as though my life is a good case study for this truth over the last two months. As I have prayed and strove toward loving Christ more, I have become increasingly convicted about my lack of proclamation. However, I am working on that one!

Concerning “Familiarity with the World,” is there any greater bucket of cold water to throw on the fires of our love for Christ than love for the world? I mean, it seems that even flirting around with the world suffocates that fire to some degree. In our ministry we are struggling with this. Our students are very satisfied with what the world has to offer. We need to proclaim the excellencies of Christ, worshiping violently and intensely from a heart in love with Christ! The passion with which we live must come from a heart that loves Christ.

I am not talking about superficial love and emotion, but the deep-seated, white hot love that only Christ can bring. I know you know what I am talking about; and I know you have seen this in our students.

I really think the only way to see this change is through prayer and discipleship — teaching our students (or whoever the subject may be) to understand the excellencies of Christ and fall in love with His Person. We cannot do this apart from His Word and with great patience. It truly is a work of the Spirit!

Thanks for your thoughts!