Perfected Love Produces Confidence

Perfected Love Produces Confidence

Closing Thought: There is a day coming when every one of us will stand before Jesus Christ. For those outside of Christ, it will be a day of righteous judgment. For those in Christ, it will be a day of joyful vindication, because the verdict was secured at the cross. Therefore, do not live in fear. Rest in the perfect love of God displayed in His Son and let that confidence free you to love one another. God's perfected love produces both confidence before Christ and a life that increasingly resembles Christ in how we love the brethren.

Loved By God, Loving One Another

Closing Thought: Beloved, the greatest evidence that God has loved you is not merely that you can explain the gospel, but that the gospel is changing the way you love His people. God's love did not stop at the cross; it continues through the lives of those who have been united to Christ. So let the love that came down from heaven flow through you to the brethren. Loved By God, Loving One Another.

God's Truth or Satan's Error

Closing Thought: Beloved, you must think critically for yourselves pertaining to spiritual truth. Your pastors and your parents cannot do this thinking for you. There are many deceivers and pretenders who come directly from Satan and wish to lead you into spiritual destruction. You will test and know them by what they say about Jesus Christ- both who he is, and how He comes to live in you. It is God who saves you through the God man Jesus Christ, and it is God who lives in you by the Holy Spirit. Listen to God's word and you will be able to determine the spirit of truth from the spirit of error.

"I Need to Be Saved!"

While crosswalking on the corner of Marquette and Locust, home of Whitey's Ice Cream, two young ladies approached to encourage me. They were soon joined by three young men. One of the young men, with a troubled tone in his voice, told me he needed to be saved. I hope this conversation encourages you.

Assurance for the Accused Heart

Closing Thought: Beloved, assurance is not presumption, and doubt is not always humility. God gives assurance for the accused heart, not by telling us to ignore sin, but by calling us to bring our hearts before Him. So, when your heart condemns you, do not make your heart the highest court. If there is sin, confess it; if there is false accusation, reject it; and in both cases, bring your heart before the God who is greater than your heart, rest in Christ who answers every accusation, walk in His commands, love the brethren, and trust the Spirit whom He has given.