Faith

WHAT JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH INCLUDES The Bible teaches justification by faith. It does not teach that we are saved by faith ONLY! “Ye see that by works a man is justified and not by faith only” (James 2:24). There is a vast difference between justification by faith, and justification by faith ONLY! The degree of faith that saves is obedient faith (Roman 1:5; 16:26). It takes perfect faith to save, and faith is perfected in obedience (James 2:22).

It was the summer of 1969. Some remember it as the summer of the miracle Mets, Woodstock, and the astronaut’s first landing on the moon. But in Ft. Worth, for many it will forever be the summer of the Lake Worth Monster.

A DESCRIPTION OF HEAVE” PART 2 Let’s conclude our study of the description of Heaven. Not only will God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and angels be there, but those that compose the church (the saved) of our Lord (Acts 2:47). The Hebrew writer says to Christians, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirit of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:2223); It is God who writes the names of those in Heaven, not any man. The real question to ask and answer is, “Has your name been written there?” Have you obeyed the gospel of Christ? (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Are you a member of the blood bought church of Christ? (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28). Paul says, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). Those who are “in Christ” are saved (2 Timothy 2:10). One must be baptized in order to be “in Christ” (Romans 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; Acts 2:47).

I had to drive to Lufkin, for a doctor’s appointment. It had rained for days. I had not been driving much, for a month, for various reasons. This made me a bit hesitant about this trip. Especially on the highways, slick from rain. But, as I drove, I began to notice the countryside. That special color of green, seen only in the Spring, was abundant. Rolling hills of grass, appeared as smooth as an emerald carpet. Trees sported every tint of the color. Some of them were such a light shade that they looked almost white.

A DEPICTION OF HEAVEN Peter describes what Heaven is like when he writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). Heaven is like having an enormous inheritance awaiting (Col.

Some call it a stream. Some call it a bayou. Most people call it a river. Its headwater is due north in Shelby County, Texas, then meanders its way through San Augustine County, Nacogdoches County, and empties into the huge Sam Rayburn lake. It was named the Attoyac River by persons unknown. In fact, no one even knows what the name means.

I began to feel thirsty. So, I took a big swallow from my water bottle. I rarely go anywhere without it. Certain health problems, call for me to drink, lots of water. This is one way, to insure that I do.