Saying ‘yes’ to God

Dr. Ed Hindson teaches students to deny themselves and follow the Lord

Growing up in a secular home, Dr. Ed Hindson, dean of the school of divinity and distinguished professor of religion and biblical studies, heard the gospel for the first time around the age of 6 at Vacation Bible School in Detroit, Michigan. Hindson said, “yes, Lord,” the very first time the gospel was ever presented to him.

Testimony — Dr. Ed Hindson shared the importance of finding purpose in God. Photo credit: Michela Diddle

Testimony — Dr. Ed Hindson shared the importance of finding purpose in God. Photo credit: Michela Diddle

During Convocation Oct. 21, Hindson challenged students to say, “yes, Lord” in all areas of their lives.

“There will be challenges in life,” Hindson said. “We must say no to self and yes to him.”

Hindson’s message stemmed from a lifetime of studying, preaching and teaching. He said he wanted to engage students, faculty and staff intellectually and spiritually.

“Convocation really challenged me to want to listen to the Lord more,” junior Baylee Collins said. “Saying yes to the Lord is challenging, but the Lord will use an obedient heart.”

Hindson began by explaining how every person must battle for their heart. The message of the heart is woven through Old and New Testaments. Therefore, everyone must examine if they are truly loving and living to honor God with all their heart, soul and mind. According to Hindson, today’s culture forces Christians to have to battle for a pure heart for God.

“(It is) the issue of the heart that defines the individual,” Hindson said.

According to Hindson, relativity leads to tolerance which gives way to selfism, and selfism leads to materialism. He said people are searching for life in things rather than the creator of those things. Ecclesiastes states how most chase after the wind. Hindson compared our world to this concept.

Hindson encouraged students to find their meaning and purpose in God. He also said that it is a privilege to attend Liberty to accumulate knowledge built on biblical principles.

“Liberty has become what everyone dreamed it would (become),” Hindson said. “We hope to hold on to our heritage of the past but build on the future.”

Hindson taught from Matthew 9, John 11 and John 21. He asked students to look for moments when the Lord reveals himself and speaks to them, and when he does, they should accept that call.
“Say ‘yes’ to his power, ‘yes’ to his person and ‘yes’ to his pardon,” Hindson said.

Hindson explained how the Lord revealed himself when he was in his most desperate moments. During the times when he felt most inadequate, God would show up and remind him that he could do nothing but that God would take care of him in his power. This reminder can also serve as a way to share the gospel.

“God will give you the platform,” Hindson said. “You need to have something to say when you get there.”

Currently, Hindson teaches Old Testament survey, a class focused on Isaiah and a class covering both Daniel and Revelation. He has been at Liberty for more than 30 years.

FROST is a news reporter.

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