Your Divine Degree - No Student Loans Required!

Welcome to the U of J (the University of Jesus). Do you ever feel like Christianity is less about a one-time decision and more about an ongoing, rigorous, yet enriching education? Good news, you're not alone. From the moment we "enroll" in the faith, the Christian walk mirrors a comprehensive educational journey: we attend "classes" to learn core doctrines, "study" through personal disciplines, and then "apply" that knowledge in the bustling "workforce" of daily life, all leading to our inevitable commencement into eternity.

Think of it as getting your Ph.D. in Righteousness, but with a much better Dean and no pop quizzes. Plus, your tuition was paid in full by the ultimate benefactor! John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Let’s discuss the core curriculum, specifically your classes in Christian doctrine. Your First-year Orientation dealt with the basics—course title: Christianity 101. You began your first semester trying to see the big picture —the who, the what, and the why — of grace and faith. This was a prerequisite and foundational course. It covered our genuine purpose, why we’re even here! Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace are ye been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

We had a required textbook. All 66 volumes! This would be our primary source material. It was complex, sometimes confusing, but essential. We would prepare for class by using it as the ultimate open-book exam. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

As we continued to study over the years, we progressed to the upper-level seminars. We began exploring other aspects of theology in greater depth. We tried to wrap our minds and hearts around trinitarian studies. We continued to scratch our heads throughout the eschatology lab. There were courses we took when our brains might have felt like they were doing spiritual somersaults. However, we needn't have worried, because even our professors (our pastors and ministers) were still learning. Romans 11:33 “O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out.”

We had other study options that weren't required for graduation. These were our electives. This marked the beginning of our education in discovering our spiritual gifts. Here's where we decided to become a “prophecy major,” a “service minor,” or dabble in some “hospitality” studies. Our Divine Degree program was customized just for us. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord, and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God who worketh in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for profit.”

It seemed that in the early years, we spent more time “hitting the books,” studying through spiritual disciplines. In those days, there was a wealth of knowledge to be learned. Yet, those study sessions of prayer and devotion are still expanding our education today. We are earning ongoing credits!

When we prayed, we had a direct connection to the Dean of Divinity. We could have a personal chat with the One who had all the answers. We didn’t need an appointment. We had unlimited access, 24/7. There weren’t any awkward silences. He would wait patiently to hear His son or daughter’s voice. Jeremiah 29:12 “Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray to me, and I will hearken to you.”

We also discovered personal devotionals and used them as “tools of our trade.” These were our spiritual study guides where we kept a journal on our meditations and reflections. It was the place we did our deep work, connecting the dots between ancient texts and our Tuesday morning coffee and commute. Joshua 1:8 “The Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but thou shalt meditate in it day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein. For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou will have good success.”

As we grew in knowledge and grace, we expanded our curriculum to include group projects and peer tutoring. In simple terms, this was our fellowship within our community. We became involved in our church and small groups. We had spiritual study buddies. We learned from each other by sharing insights and getting encouraged when we felt overwhelmed. It's not the same as getting a degree online, where you’re all by yourself. You needed your classmates, who were your support system, your accountability partners. They were vital if we expected to have a well-rounded education. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Then there were the ultimate pep rallies. We needed to recharge our spiritual batteries and remember why we initially enrolled in the program. Attending church service was like our school assembly, but with much better music and a truly inspiring speaker. Psalm 95:6 “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

We entered into the "Life application" phase of our lives. Here is where we applied the knowledge we had worked so hard to acquire and put it into practice in the “workforce of faith.” We completed our internship and on-the-job training by serving our fellow man and witnessing to them following the Great Commission. Here's where we lived out our faith and completed it by taking a practical exam. We got some wrong answers, but thank God for grace. We’ve all definitely been graded on a curve!

We applied what we learned in the classroom to real-world situations. No more hypothetical scenarios! It was time to be the hands and feet, the light in the darkness. James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

As our lives continued, we were allowed to share our research findings. This was where evangelism began. They called it our “thesis defense.” This was our address to the world about the fantastic things we've discovered in God's word. Personal observation: Always remember to tell others who you were before you started your schooling. And then show them who you are now. Be ready to share your passion! Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”

Let's face it, folks. We are involved with lifelong learning. There are no summer vacations or “gap” years. We have now progressed into a career of sanctification and discipleship. Our curriculum never truly ends. There's always more to learn and grow into. We shouldn't just get our degrees and stop. We should continually upgrade our skills, boldly face new challenges, and strive to become more like our ultimate role model. Philippians 3:12-14 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I pursue, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count myself not to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

We are now called to mentor new students, to disciple others. Once we've got a few semesters under our collective belts, it's time to help the first-year students find their way around campus. Very important: The gift of our holy knowledge isn’t truly a gift until we share it with others. In other words, replicate yourself!  2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

We are fast approaching our inevitable graduation day, the ultimate commencement ceremony. Our Christian life is a dynamic, lifelong educational journey. We should ask the Holy Spirit for new opportunities to absorb more truths from God's holy word. Every day, we should walk into the world looking for opportunities to show others what we have learned. Admit that you don’t have all of the answers, how our lives have been filled with joy and sorrow, with lack and plenty, with good times and bad. If it were easy, everybody would be doing it! This school isn't for sissies! It takes courage and fortitude to complete the curriculum.

So, the next time you feel like you're back in school, remember, you never left! Your grades are still based on grace, and the lessons are still eternal. But the commencement ceremony and the awards banquet afterwards are going to be out of this world! Everyone’s been invited. I'm looking forward to seeing who shows up.

Keep learning and keep growing, my friends, and enjoy every moment of this divine education. Be true to your Alma Mater. The best is yet to come! Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.”