Is the Brightness Still In Me?

While looking for some music to play on New Year’s Day, I happen to put in Charlie Peacock‘s Kingdom Come. The track Is the Brightness Still In Me?always prompts me to evaluate my walk with God, an appropriate action to take in this time when we make resolutions and goals. However, this song struck me differently than it had in the past.

In the past, I have been as guilty as anyone of saying something like, “I go to a Baptist (or Wesleyan, or Independent) church, but I just define myself as a Christian. I just believe the Bible.” As I listened to the song, instead of asking myself, Am I still passionate? (my Baptist background), Am I still “on fire” for God? (my youth pastor background), or Am I still pursuing holiness? (my Wesleyan background), I asked myself, and wondered if Charlie Peacock was asking himself, Is The Brightness (The Holy Spirit) still in me?

Charlie Peacock – photo by Michael Wilson

In my younger days, I would have never asked that question because according to my so-called “Bible-only Christian beliefs” the answer was obvious. Of course The Brightness is still in me, nothing can separate us from the love of God, and no one can snatch us out of God’s hand (Romans 8:35-39, John 10:28-30). But, those verses must be reconciled with David’s words in Psalm 51:11. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Sure, David’s words are written in a different time (dispensation if you choose), and perhaps he is talking of his kingship, but I think the question is still worth asking. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5).

If my theological training affects my interpretation of a Charlie Peacock song, can I doubt it affects my Biblical interpretation? Is T(t)he B(b)rightness still in me? Yes, that is one reason I keep asking the question?