you are as close to God as you want to be.

This week has been amazing. Simply amazing. For the past five spring semesters, Maranatha has presented The Conference on Baptist Fundamentalism. I learned much last year, and even more this year. Last year, the conference was on dispensationalism. I must say that the word itself sounds very daunting. "Dispensasha...what?!" However, I learned last year about the flaws of covenant theology, the reason for dispensationalism, and more about why i am a fundamental baptist. this year, the theme was sanctification. When i heard the theme a couple of weeks ago, my mind spinned into high speed. "i know i should know this...hmm...okay. Think back to doctrine class...what is the technical meaning..." Now, sanctification isn't a word i hear everyday, but it is a topic that is talked about is every Bible class i have been in, and in many sermons. it seems that we get away from "the big words" and try to water it down. No watering down neccessary folks. i want the real stuff!
i must admit, i wasnt exactly looking forward to the conference. last year, i did learn tons, but there was still so much that i didnt understand that the whole thing was a little intimidating. of course, i had that fear again this year...what if it's way over my head? when that happens all i do is sit there in the hard metal chairs and wonder "why dont i get this?!"
anyway, back to the topic at hand. perhaps the most impacting session i attended was Mr. Hockman's on James 3:13-4:10. He talked about being double-minded, a hypocrite. he also talked about something that hit me like a brick wall. he drew a 3 inch line on the board and said "this is your life. 70 years." then he drew a line that went the length of the rest of the board and said, "this is eternity". He then went on to ask how hard it could be to live for Christ just for that short time we are on earth. so often i find ways to excuse my sin. there is no excuse. he also talked about how the things of this world are earthly, sensual, devilish. he said that this pictures a progression - a slippery slope downward and away from God. first, something i enjoy may not be wrong, but may be above God (earthly). the next step down is wickedness followed by devilish. sin is never positive, and as i seek sanctification in my daily life, if i am not getting close to God, i am CHOOSING to go AWAY from him. Since man has a choice, a free will, i can do what i want...therefore, i am as close to God as i want to be...and so are you.