Marks of Conversion...

While listening to the message entitled, "Marks of Conversion", a sermon preached by Gregory N. Barkman from John 8:30-47, which helps to distinguish the difference between a spurious faith from the true faith that comes as the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast; (which can be found by clicking here......., ) the initial words of this poem came to mind. Corresponding then with the daily passage read together with my beloved Dianna in 2nd Corinthians 13:5-14, the following thoughts were written:

What makes you think that you are now saved
When you to your sin are yet still enslaved?
No love for God's Word, nor yet for His glory.
Are your thoughts not bound up in your own selfish story?

Examine yourselves by His Word if you dare,
For that is the main way, God speaks of His care,
To all of His children, redeemed in Christ Jesus,
The True Revelation of just how God sees us.

For Almighty God by His Spirit revealed
The Truth through the prophets, that the nations be healed.
But only those called will stand up to the test,
To follow the Saviour, through faith in Him rest,

In all He accomplished as He hung on the tree
And paid for the sins of all He would set free,
To walk in His Spirit of which He imparts
To show forth the face of His love in the hearts,

Of all who would bow, confess Jesus as Lord,
Repenting from sins, by His grace they're restored,
Because of the pleasure that God chose to give
To the praise of His glory, as for Him they live.

Friend, the Revelation of Jesus Christ is not just the name of a book in the Bible, but the reality of the only way of salvation to the glory of God, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved. His name is Jesus, and He came to save His people from their sins!

Michael E. Wood
April 18, 2010