A recent Time magazine article, "Faith and Frat Boys," investigated the health of Christianity on major secular college campuses. The report came in with a confusing mix of pretty decadent living along with a prevailing belief in God. And committed believers seemed to be caught in the middle. Some were seeking to survive in the frat houses — some holding onto their faith, some losing it — while another segment of committed Christians created communities of believers in Christian "houses" where they admittedly "hid out" from the onslaught of partying, sex and drugs that seemed to prevail on the rest of campus.
Actually, the report presented a small microcosm of the larger society right now — widespread supposed belief in God along with widespread immorality — while some believers try to maintain relationships as light in the world while holding onto their faith, and others sequester themselves in the relative safety of a Christian environment.
As believers we have to continually ask what we are here for. Are we here for our own protection or even our own righteous living? Or are we here to love people into the kingdom of God, and if so, how can we do that without befriending them and becoming vulnerable to the lifestyles of those who don’t know Christ?
As always, the truth seems to lie in the middle of two extremes where we balance commitment to God with personal freedom. The overarching value being love — love for those for whom Christ died and an honest facing of sin in our own life while seeking to overlook it in others. The true significance of our lives as Christians will be the genuineness of both our faith and our love for people.
At least that was how one student who chose to stay in his fraternity was having a significant impact on campus with his faith. The article concluded with his story:
"What is true is that some of the students are making their mark in ways that will never draw much public attention. On the first Tuesday night after Easter, Greek InterVarsity president Peter Howell went door to door in his house, Sigma Nu, inviting his brothers to Bible study, as he has done every week for the past two years. Just two of the 70 brothers accepted the offer, but that doesn’t mean the rest haven’t been affected by Howell. ‘In the biggest meathead frat, he’s himself. He’s 100%. And no matter what day I say no, he’ll always come back,’ says junior Trevor Loe, who declined to attend that week’s session. ‘One day, when I’m ready, I’ll remember Peter.’"
It’s a good question to ask ourselves: "Who, if anyone, will remember me when they’re ready?"
[Quote from Time magazine, "Faith and Frat Boys," May 9, 2005. P 50.]
By John Fischer And Taken With Permission From Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional.
