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Some Things I Am For…

Nathan Britton

Note: Pastor Nathan Britton of First Baptist Church of Taos, NM was my assistant for a number of years while he was in Seminary. For two years he has been in New Mexico and has done a wonderful job bringing new life to a historic congregation. Few young pastors understand Scripture as well as Nathan Britton. He posted this list on Facebook, and I asked his permission to repost it here. I hope you’ll consider being “for” these same things.  RWSome Things I Am For…

  • A worldview that is founded by the Bible.
  • Understanding that humanity is completely distinct and separated from God. There is no inner god within any person’s nature.
  • Access to God and salvation from God through faith in the penal, substitutionary sacrifice of Christ and His resurrection alone.  There is no salvation through any other means.
  • A free faith that comes through the grace of God to all who trust in the gospel of Christ.  There is no need for powerless legalism, and there is no hope in personal perfectionism.
  • A sure faith, expressed in something eternal–the Bible–that need not be subject to doubt or confusion.  There is no additional understanding needed for our current age.
  • A transparent faith that is accessible to anyone (if they have access to the Bible). There is no need for secret knowledge or personal revelation.
  • A reasonable faith that, though we cannot reason our way to it, makes sense to unblinded eyes and has no contradictions.  There is no need for lies, cover-ups, or explaining anything away.
  • A strong faith that places all its thrust on obedience to and glorification of God. There is no need or place for self-glorification.
  • An eternal, truth-based faith that drives emotions rather than the other way around. There is no need to trust in feelings, whether emotional or physical, as a guide.
  • A secure faith that is sealed by the Holy Spirit for eternity.  There is no need to fear anything, including extreme hardship, the devil, or even death.
  • A Spirit-relying faith whereby God gives the grace I need (sometimes this means the grace to die).  There is no need to rely on my own strength.
  • A Spirit-relying evangelism where I allow God to do the convicting through the preaching of His Word. There is no need for emotional manipulation, gimmicks, or self-help instruction.
  • A reverent faith where I, with fear, give God the respect He deserves.  There is no need for social coolness, inappropriate dress, hip talk, demonic behavior, or cutting edge perverseness.
  • A basic faith that is satisfied with orthodoxy alone.  There is no need for the ideologies of the church growth movement, health and wealth gospel, or a dependency on “miracle makers.”
  • A powerful faith that seeks to serve God, even if it appears we get nothing out of it in this life.  There is no need to find some secret purpose for my life.
  • A future minded faith that looks forward to the coming kingdom of God.  There is no need for my best life now.