I write to those who call themselves Christians; may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ rest upon you. If we say that we believe in Christ, and have been saved, one would ask, "What assurance do you have of your salvation?" The simple and correct answer is, "Through Christ." Do we really believe that Christ is our savior? That we have been saved from being cast into hell and that our wretched and defiled hearts have been washed clean? Do we truly live like God sent his Son to be crucified, who was blameless to pay for all our sin; that he was raised again on the third day, and conquered sin and death on our behalf? If such conviction, which is the testimony of faith in our Lord lives within you, then you have gained the knowledge and personal communion with the living God, through His holy Scriptures.

This type of faith leads to good works and righteousness: feeding the hungry, looking after the widows, orphans; but most important and preeminent in a believer’s work is to show love to the brethren as well as the preaching of the gospel to those who are lost... to warn of Hell and the coming judgment upon all those who reject Christ. But, there are those who, by works of the law, call themselves Christians; those who when given a talent, proceed to bury it in the earth and hold back from those who are in need, who’s lives are consumed by the law, and the ‘taste-not, touch-not’ religious traditions of men; who’s faith is wrapped up in church buildings, businesses, homes, cars, relatives, pot-lucks, concerts, plays & camping trips.

These are the people that speak of Jesus’ ‘love’ but yet do not what He says, and stumble those who truly seek after Christ. May we take the time to examine ourselves, to see if we be in Christ, not just because some card we once signed tells us so, or once responded to an alter call.

Steven

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