A new demo dropped. From a technical standpoint, I was trying very hard to keep time (so I can practice adding midi sounds, which this doesn't include), so the vocals are a bit tinny. Also, I didn't plan what I was doing so… looks like it's a nearly ten minute song. It doesn't need to be. But none-the-less, dropping this so it's available. The goals to learn about actually producing something that sounds good are slowly in process. Where's a band of talented people and a musical genius when I need one? 

Anyways, this song came out of time with the Lord. I kept reading Romans 5 over and over, and eventually picked up my guitar to sing through it (out of LSV). Adding some themes from James 1, this song tackles the unsavory topic of tribulation and the unmentionable truth that believers should become perfect. The declaration of independence (Roman's 5 v 1) is not the final result. It is the authority to pursue perfection. It is like when the USA declared independence, they were not yet independent from their previous master. A war had to happen. Tribulation happened. Divine providence happened. There is an effort and a pressing for the miraculous to happen. Why would the new testament authors speak about the importance of tribulation leading to perfection if our only responsibility was to make a declaration of Jesus's resurrection and wait? That wouldn't make sense. Since the Bible was authored by the intellectually superior author of all creation,  I think it's an instruction manual for now. It means something when James says “prayer without works is dead”. It means something when James implies we can be “perfect and complete lacking nothing”. 

Perfection is pursued, not through arrogance, but through humility. It bears the characteristics of Love, so it isn't lofty or puffed up. I have never been satisfied with my own weak faith walk. Believing that we can live a life pre-resurrection without sin is radical to western Christianity. Probably even heretical. But even John tells us, if we sin, we don't know Jesus. If it's possible to know Jesus, and Jesus' death and resurrection leads to the Jeremiah prophecy that God will write his law on his people's hearts, then I am going to pursue that in hope. Maybe I never reach a point where the rest of my days in the flesh reflect no rebellion against God, but maybe it is possible. I am going to let tribulation and longsuffering have their perfect work in me, so I can lack nothing. If none of this is possible, then the whole gospel of the kingdom is questionable. “Be ye perfect as I am perfect.” Let's do this thing, by the grace of God! If we stumble along the way, let's get back up and try again. “Though a righteous man fall seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.” 

(I mentioned LSV, but I read lots of different translations, even the Greek. There are things I like and dislike about them, so I don't have a preferred translation,. I understand the arguments regarding contested manuscripts. I don't endorse any one translation, but suggest you read whatever works for you, and probably don't stay siloed in one forever. In a multitude of counselors there is wisdom. Dig deep, friends.)