TRINICY
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • TRINICY >
      • Statement of Faith
      • Statement on Conservatism
    • PEOPLE >
      • Advisors
      • Board of Directors
      • Contributors
    • Calendar
    • FAQ
  • Mentorship
    • Mentee Reviews
    • Mentor Reviews
    • Meet Our Mentors
  • CONTENT
    • ALL CONTENT
    • Erevno
    • Articles
    • By Author
    • Interviews
    • Devotionals
    • Videos >
      • YouTube >
        • A.R.T. of Engagement Series
        • Roundtable
        • Apologetics Series
        • Q&A Series
        • Just a Minute!
      • Roundtables
      • Instagram TV
    • Write for Us
  • JOIN
    • Join Us >
      • Membership
      • Mentorship
      • Leadership
      • Advisors
      • Board of Directors
    • Social Media >
      • Instagram
      • YouTube
      • Facebook Page
      • Facebook Group
      • Linkedin
  • DONATE
  • SHOP

Articles

MAPPING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

7/19/2020

0 Comments

 
​David M. Kowalke, Jr. |  @hongkongkowalke | TRINICY.org
Picture
 “You can get there, from here!”

​All that could be heard was the soothing, and yet somehow annoying droning of the engines as the plane cut through the evening sky. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I have some Bad News and I have some Good News. The bad news is we are lost. The good news is we are making excellent time!” Have you ever felt as though you were in a hamster cage, running as if your very life and happiness depended on it, only to recognize the obvious?...You are not getting anywhere! 

All too often, this is the sense of the struggling Christian. With discipline, intestinal fortitude, and good intentions they apply themselves to their life as a follower of Jesus Christ, only to feel that they are no closer to the ‘promised’ “victorious Christian life” then when they began their journey of faith. 

From ancient scrolled parchments, to folding maps, to trip booklets, to car navigation tools, to the ubiquitous smartphone maps and location apps everyone has access to, anyone can instantly determine where they are...physically. Where are we spiritually? This is a whole nother story. For the Christian, it is very easy to feel confused. Having embarked on their Christian journey by placing their trust in Jesus Christ as their necessary payment for sin, life still seems fraught with the same struggles that were present BC, Before Christ! 

Maps give information on where you are, where you have been, where you are going, and how to get there. It can provide relief if you are lost, instruction if you are confused and timing of arrival, for a hopeful sense of anticipation! Mapping the Christian Life can provide the same kind of benefits, from a spiritual perspective.

Included in this article are two diagrams, or ‘maps.’ Map #1 is completed, from numbers 1 - 22, and Map #2 has numbered blanks for you to fill in yourself if later you would like to test your own comprehension. 
Picture
Map #1 (Numbered & Complete)


Breaking up the Christian Life into three tenses helps greatly. The (#1. Past) is inked in black because we are dead and separated from God because of our sin. The (#2. Present) is inked in
red because of the shed blood of Christ for our sins. The (#3. Future) is inked in blue because we will be with Christ in the Heavens. 


The (#4. R.I.P.), Rest In Peace Tombstone illustrates that, according to Ephesians 2:1, “you were (#5. dead in your trespasses and sins).” Fallen man is not spiritually sick. He is spiritually dead and unable to live any kind of life, especially a perfect life which is required by a perfect God! Why does fallen man behave in evil ways? Because he is a (#7. Slave To Sin), and according to (#6. Isaiah 64:6), even his “righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.” (Look up what filthy garment Prophet Isaiah ben Amoz is referring to!) We all understand the bad things we do are ugly, to say the least. But God says because we are spiritually dead, even our good deeds are ugly as compared to the standard of His righteousness. We can, for a funeral, try to make a corpse in a coffin look alive and well and ‘peaceful,’ but it is not well. It is not sick. It is not peaceful. It is dead and has no life. So it is with man spiritually. He does not need reformation...he needs salvation! He does not need education...he needs resurrection! He does not need resuscitation… he needs regeneration! He does not need “good works”...he can’t do anything! He’s dead!

This is the desperate predicament of mankind. This is why social reform is not the ultimate solution to man’s woes and ills. That is also why Jesus Christ came; to be the perfect substitute sacrifice for our sin that we needed in order to be reconciled to God and to spend eternity with Him. This is the Good News!

The crux of the matter (lit. cross or resolution of a problem) on the Map of our Christian Life, is in fact the instrument of torture and execution itself was the Cross of Calvary. For the Believer, life and eternity changed there. The moment someone places their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior, the (#11. Penalty of Sin) is completely paid for, (#8. Salvation) is forever secured because of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. (#9. Hebrews 10:11-14) says in part that animal or ceremonial sacrifices “can never take away sins; but He [Christ], having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God...for by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

Now, about this word, “sanctification”...what does it mean?! (#13. & #22 Sanctification) literally means “to make holy, to set apart for a particular purpose.” God says that I am holy. But I’m not. But I will be. Which one is it? The answer is, “Yes”! However, while our (#12. Position) spiritually is that we are (#10. Ephesians 1:3) “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” and are seated “with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6), life often doesn’t seem very “heavenly”! (#12. Positionaly) I am holy in the eyes of God because He has declared me righteous in Christ. But in (#9. Practical) terms, I still struggle in the Christian Life, yes, and still sin. It is a progressive life where God changes me day by day to be conformed to the image of His Son--that is--to become more like Christ, moment by moment. (#14. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) says in part, that “the God of peace Himself [will] sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are in the process of being fashioned into the (#17. Ultimate) state that is yet to come. No longer should the (#15. Power of Sin) rule over our lives. We have the Holy Spirit residing in us, convincing us of sin, comforting us in suffering, and empowering us in service in the life we are still living in this world!

Then, in a moment, whether we pass from this life through the shadow called death, or at the glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ, we shall be be changed through the (#19. Glorification) of our mortal bodies, we shall be changed to be like Him. (#20. 1 John 3:2) says, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

Here is the great ‘wonderment’: From the (#1. Past) we have been born into God’s forever family by His Son. In the (#2. Present) we are being changed, moment by moment to be like Christ in this roller coaster ride of life, knowing one day in the (#3. Future) we will actually be delivered from the (#21. Presence of Sin) in (#18. Heaven)!
Picture
​Map #2 (Numbered & Blank Self-test)

​Do you better understand Mapping the Christian Life, or are you still a little lost?!...To test yourself, here are the answers to fill in:

Words to number:
__ POSITIONAL              __ PRACTICAL             __ ULTIMATE                   __ SANCTIFICATION
__ PAST                        __ PRESENT                 __ FUTURE                     __ GLORIFICATION
__ HEAVEN                    __ SALVATION              __ 1 JOHN 3:2                __ REST IN PEACE
__ SLAVE TO SIN            __ DEAD IN SIN            __ POWER OF SIN           22 SANCTIFICATION
__ EPHESIANS 1:3          __ PRESENCE OF SIN    __ PENALTY OF SIN
__ HEBREWS 10:11-14    __ ISAIAH 64:6            __ 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23,24

How did you do on your test?! More importantly, how are you doing in your journey through the Christian Life? Remember, you are not where you were. You are closer to your destination. Knowing you will get there can make today an amazing adventure! Press on brothers and sisters! You are making progress, Pilgrim! You’re almost Home!
Picture
DAVID M. KOWALKE, JR.Dave was born in Hong Kong, graduated from high school in London and graduated from Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana.  He has been ministering most of his life as youth worker, pastor, church-planter, and Christian high school teacher. He is retired but continues to live and serve in Raleigh, North Carolina with Cindy, his wonderful wife of 43 years, and they are rich with four amazing married children and 10 grandchildren, who are above average!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2023
    March 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019

    Disclaimer

    The views, information, and opinions expressed in this website are solely those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily represent those of TRINICY International. 


    Categories

    All
    Abortion
    Art
    Book Reviews
    Christian Conferences
    Christianity
    Colleges & Universities
    Dave Baker
    David M. Kowalke Jr.
    Devotionals
    Dr. Gabriel Ndhlovu
    E.J. Cox
    Essays
    Famous Speeches
    Garrett Smith
    Halloween
    Homeschooling
    Iben Thranholm
    Immanuel Arthur Kwesi
    Immanuel Kwesi Arthur
    Juan Laureano Jr.
    Kwaku Boateng
    Logan Washburn
    Love
    Mahgdalen Rose
    Masks
    Mattea Merta
    Melanie Shirey
    Monica Evans
    Onward Christian Soldiers!
    Politics
    Prayer
    Razak K. Dwomoh
    Reformation Day
    Roundtables
    Ruxandra Ionce
    Shokyuileng Hungyo
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spotlight Interviews
    Tanya Cooper
    The Building Of Real Relationships Series
    The Christian Imperative
    Thomas Torres
    Western Civilization

Content

About
Articles
Videos

Programs

Mentorship
Leadership
Volunteer

Support

FAQ

© COPYRIGHT 2018-2022.
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • TRINICY >
      • Statement of Faith
      • Statement on Conservatism
    • PEOPLE >
      • Advisors
      • Board of Directors
      • Contributors
    • Calendar
    • FAQ
  • Mentorship
    • Mentee Reviews
    • Mentor Reviews
    • Meet Our Mentors
  • CONTENT
    • ALL CONTENT
    • Erevno
    • Articles
    • By Author
    • Interviews
    • Devotionals
    • Videos >
      • YouTube >
        • A.R.T. of Engagement Series
        • Roundtable
        • Apologetics Series
        • Q&A Series
        • Just a Minute!
      • Roundtables
      • Instagram TV
    • Write for Us
  • JOIN
    • Join Us >
      • Membership
      • Mentorship
      • Leadership
      • Advisors
      • Board of Directors
    • Social Media >
      • Instagram
      • YouTube
      • Facebook Page
      • Facebook Group
      • Linkedin
  • DONATE
  • SHOP