Josh Allen, 2010 Union alum and current college pastor of Christ Place Church in Atlanta, Georgia, capped off Greek Week last night by speaking to students at Abraham’s Altar, an annual chapel service put on by the Greek community on campus.
Having been a former student on Union’s campus, Allen was able to speak to the fact that Christian campuses need to pay attention to the deception that surrounds them. His intention was not to call out people, but instead to call them up to a life that demonstrates holiness and where Christ’s presence is evident.
“One of the most important things we can think about in a college campus is that you and I are dealing with the difficulty of deception and that no one is immune to this idea of deception,” said Allen as he began speaking.
Allen went on to say that as a college student, you are likely to be allured into a lifestyle that does not reflect the Gospel. Each person is surrounded by sin, and Satan has a way of making it seem so appealing. In the words of Allen, he has a way of making trash seem like treasure and treasure seem like trash.
“The most valuable thing you can do is find what is the pure gold of godliness in your place in life and where you’re at and pursue that and shun the devil. Do not give into that deceit,” Allen said.
He called the audience to never question our worth and value. In order to live out this truth, however, each person needs to be steadfast in their pursuit of God. Instead of living a selfish life and focusing on the distractions of this life, Allen urged them to continually dive into the word of God and to fix their eyes on Him. With that, however, comes the acknowledgement of false teachers.
“I don’t want Union University to be susceptible to false teaching because that is just as dangerous as other types of deception. Run everything you hear and are taught through the filter of God’s word because it is the ultimate source of truth.”
As people move through life, one of the most dangerous aspects of deceit will be their very own hearts, as Allen pointed out. He stressed that student’s lives can sometimes represent a prayer they prayed a long time ago instead of an intimate relationship between the Father and His child. Although a life in line with God’s teachings may cause some discomfort, the change God can provide is much greater than staying right where you may be today.
As Greek Week concludes, Lauren Presley, a sophomore public relations major, was encouraged by the ideals of community that are evident at Abraham’s Altar.
“Although this is a week full of fun events put together by the Greek community, it’s cool to see it end with a night of worship open to the entire student body,” Presley said. “No matter what organization you are or aren’t a part of, we should be finding our commonality in Christ and moving forward together.”
“No matter who you are, tonight my greatest desire for you is that none of us walk out of here under a cloud of deception, but that we will believe the truth,” Allen concluded.