And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God… For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake. 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:5
This is very easily one of my favorite chapters in God’s word. It sums up the basic purpose for living lives worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. This also is a great way, I believe, to introduce myself. My name is Benjamin Rodgers. I live in Bowie Maryland and I am a full-time student at the University of Maryland majoring in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. If you have no idea what that is this is perfectly alright seeing as I sometimes don’t really have a clue what I am actually studying. But I would still love to explain to you as much as I do know and have learned in my major seeing as I love biology and the study of it has changed the way I think and my perspective on my journey as a child and servant of Christ. I also attend a little round church by the name of Solid Rock Church in Riverdale Maryland. I say little round church because, for anyone who has seen it, it is quite literally fits this description . It is a real wonderful church that has blessed me for over 20 years I have, attended there. With the exception of a few seasons where I was not attending this church I have been there my entire life and have seen its good times and also the difficult ones. It is part of the family of churches called Sovereign Grace Ministries. As you maybe have already guessed I am a follower of Christ and am devoted to serving his church in anyway he reveals to me to be necessary.
The wonderful thing about the verse I have put above is how in the first part of it, verse 18, it explains how we “are being transformed… from one degree of glory to another. This walk that we have set out on is guided by the most careful of hands. And when all we see is failure and defeat at times, we can be confident in the fathers hand being at work. David Powlison gives the analogy that the Christian walk is like a yo-yo. Bouncing up and down with highs and lows; but it is a yo-yo in the hands of a man walking without pause up a case of stairs. This man is our creator and he is divinely sanctifying us to overtime look more and more like himself. And when it is obvious that we look anything like him, we realize once again with the same excitement as the first time we heard the truth, that God’s judgment was fulfilled at Calvary and Christ stands as our mediator (Romans 5:9). He is our advocate (1 John 2:1-2). This truth revives my soul and bring me right back to the cross for repentance.
The last thing I would like to say “about me” is that there is one thing I treasure above all other things. It is the reason i have decided to begin a blog discussing my life. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not intend on using this blog as a resource for ranting about my completely easy completely blessed life. I rather have a purpose to expose the way this gospel has changed me is changing me and projections of how it will shape me in the future. I say the gospel will do this because it is what God’s word refers to as “the power of God” (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18). It actually is the only thing God directly says in his word is his “power”. C.J. Mahaney says “The gospel isn’t one class among many that you”attend during your life as a Christian – the gospel is the whole building that all the classes take place in!”. This description speaks much clearer than I can the perspective of a christian. With this in mind, my goal is to write revelations, meditations, and life situations that point back to Christ specifically in my life. I will admit very candidly that I am not a very skilled writer. But I feel that it would be sheer pride to have this be my reason for not using this tool to have others here about my life and give me input and direction to my scattered thoughts. I hope that possibly in some way it may serve you. Not that my writings will be so worthy of your reading that they “change your life” for this idea seems ridiculous to me. But rather that you being able to hear the wonderful things that God is putting before me in what he teaches me or through the happenings of my life that it may encourage you. Even if it is not read by one person I am confident that God will use it for my own reflection.
