A Word of Counsel

to those who desire to be servants of Christ now, and to receive His “well done” hereafter.
IF you have been truly converted to God seek to begin and continue as Saul of Tarsus did. Immediately he heard the voice from heaven saying to him “I am Jesus” he answered, trembling, “LORD, what wilt Thou have me to do?” It was a good beginning; well will it be for you, if you also receive your commission from above and if all your faith and service be learned from the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation. We live in a day in which the Scriptures are questioned and discredited; let them be to you the more sure word of prophecy “whereunto ye do well that ye take heed” (2 Peter 1:19-2119We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:19‑21)).
Should there be a reader of this page who is not assured as to his own standing before God, will he read and ponder Romans 3:10-26,10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:10‑26) and when he can praise God who has justified him “freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” let him pass on to Romans 5:1-11,1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:1‑11) and rejoice in “the love of God, shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost given unto us.”
The servant of Christ is exhorted to be
1. “Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
2. To endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, not entangling himself with the affairs of this life.
3. To strive for masteries lawfully.
4. To be a husbandman laboring.
5. To preach the word, to watch, to endure.
6. To do the work of an evangelist.
7. To make full proof of his ministry, remembering that in the last days perilous times shall come; indeed, we may say without fear of contradiction, have come.
May it be yours to fight a good fight, to finish your course, to keep the faith, and at the end to hear from the lips of your Lord and Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matt. 25:2121His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)).
Crowns await those who are true to Him today―
Your joy in that day will be great indeed, but His, who in all things shall have the pre-eminence, shall be the greater.
J. R.