Articulation Fosters Reality

My first post is a confessional one. I am writing for me. Okay, mostly for me.

Years ago, while reading Christian Smith’s book Soul Searching, I was captured by this simple phrase — “articulation fosters reality.” 

What we articulate becomes reality to us. Articulating is nothing more or less than thinking. It’s rehearsing. It’s practicing to speak, write, to explain and inform your mind. And so, for me articulation is for renewing my heart and mind to trust deeper and deeper the gospel of God that I first believed.

Yes, yes I know that even the demons believe.  Satan can most certaintly articulate the gospel perfectly. And I also know the warning that Jesus gives us in Matthew 7:21-23 that some people can in fact explain the gospel and yet be unknown by Him because they are not truly born of God and therefore must depart from Him.

So, obviously I am not saying that mere articulation transforms my reality. Articulation doesn’t magically shape a reality of my own choosing. I’m not talking about the power of positivity – just speaking positive words over myself and believing they will become true for me. I can’t of my own will transform my mind and change my affections. This only is a work of God’s grace.

However, articulating I believe is a sanctifying work. It is preaching the gospel to myself until I believe it, live it, and share it.

Jesus in John 17 prays that his followers might be sanctified in the truth…which is the Word of God. We are all prone to believe what is wrong and exchange the truth for a lie and we naturally forget and forsake the gospel. When drifting in the streams of everyday life, we will never drift towards the gospel…we will always drift away.

Therefore, we need to continually and deliberately swim hard toward the gospel.

Articulating what I believe about God and all the He is for me in Jesus Christ…not just what I feel…is my swimming and the aim for this site.

I hope this is a practicing place, a thinking place, a place where the reality of the gospel fans the flame of my confidence, humility, assurance, and security in all the God is for me in Christ Jesus my Lord.

And if the Lord wills it will help fan your flame as well.