Letters    

TO ONE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF HER FRIEND

Dear A. R.                                                                                                          June 27, 1983

      ...I am sorry to hear of the death of your friend. If she knew the Lord, really, her death should make us rejoice. In I John, the Apostle lays down characteristics of true believers.

     First, he says, "Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, `I know him,' and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (I John 2:3-6). How many people there are today who say they love God, but who do not love him enough to obey him. Obedience is the first proof a person is saved: do they do what God wants them to do? or, do they do what they want to do?

     Second, John says, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (I John 3:14). One who has indeed been born again, loves the people of God. They choose their friends, not from God-haters, but from them who know and love the Lord. And, they show this love, not simply by saying it: they love in truth, and it is shown by the compassion they have one for another. They bear one another's burdens. They love one another.

     Third, they love God, and this is shown by a loathing of the world. Therefore, the Apostle warns, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (I John 2:15). The people of God know that the whole world "lieth in wickedness" (5:19), and by this they know they are born of God. If they were of this world, the world would love them, but because they are not of this world, the world hates them (John 15:18). The world does not approve of Christians, nor does it acknowledge them because it did not approve or acknowledge the Lord Jesus.

     Fourth, John writes, "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" (I John 4:6). The people of God are drawn to God's Word. They love to assemble for the preaching of it, and, because they love it, in their quiet they meditate upon it. The Word of God will draw people, or it will drive them: it will either draw people to it, or it will drive them away.

    Fifth, "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself" (I John 5:10). People who are truly saved, do not need to convince themselves or others. They do not need to talk themselves into it. They know in their heart they are born again.

      A., has God ever really changed you? Do you love the Lord, really? Do you love Him enough to live for Him? "The Lord knoweth them that are his" (II Timothy 2:19). Will He acknowledge you as being one of His?

    I think of you often, and pray for you that you might love what God loves, and hate what things God hates. It is vain to argue we are saved if we are still attached to the things of the world, and so long as we still have no love for the things of God.

     Remember James 2:19, that it is not enough to believe in God: "the devils also believe and tremble;" but not one of them will be in heaven. Love and Prayers.

REFLECTIONS UPON THE MURDER OF A TEENAGER

Dear P. K.                                                                                                   September 1, 1994

     The recent murder of a teenager ought to spark serious considerations among young people, their parents, and all church folk.

    First, here is a renewed warning to young people that if they are determined to rebel against their parents, God does not promise to continue His umbrella of protection. It is by God's ordination that "The way of transgressors is hard" (Proverbs 13:15).

    Second, if parents will "train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6), the child will bring delight to his parents. He will be their joy and rejoicing. Otherwise, he will curse them.

      Third, true Christians know that to praise God is only a sham when there is no desire to live in a manner pleasing to God. And, when the very purpose for the Lord Jesus Christ to be born of the virgin is to "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21), it is an utter mockery of this gospel to pretend that one living in sin is going to heaven. Sincerely.

OF FUNERALS

April 5, 1990

       ...Tomorrow I will preach the funeral of a man whose son is a member of our church. J. asked me to preach his step-father's funeral because he said I would tell the truth in giving the gospel to his family, all of whom are ungodly. Now, his father has died, and he has asked me to preach to the family once again. I intend to preach on the resurrection of the body: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I believe one of the surest evidences of a true preacher of God's Word is whether he gives the Gospel at a funeral, or turns into a universalist, and preaches every man into heaven.

Dear G. M.                                                                                                      April 20, 1990

     ...I believe one of the surest evidences of a true preacher is whether he gives the Gospel at a funeral, or turns into a universalist, and preaches every man into heaven. It is so distressing to me to attend funeral after funeral, and to rarely hear a faithful presentation of the Gospel. There are two times when people will gather together: weddings and funerals, and if we miss our opportunity of giving the Word of God at either, it is very tragic because we will never again have the same people together.

POSTSCRIPT

      "We commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart" (II Corinthians 5:12).

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