DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH?

Let each of US examine ourselves and determine our spiritual status in view of Scriptural principles. Do we have enough:

KNOWLEDGE -- TO GUIDE OUR ZEAL?

We are taught to be "fervent in spirit" in Rom. 12:11. Christ gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, "zealous of good works." Some people are zealous yet ignorant of God's righteousness. (CF. Rom. 10:1-3). We ought to be zealous but we must KNOW the truth if our zeal is to be guided in the right direction. Many denominationalists, as well as some brethren, have a zeal for God, but it is not according to knowledge. They establish their own righteousness because they are ignorant of God's righteousness.

FAITH -- TO MOVE US TO OBEY GOD?

It was by faith that Noah, "being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house." (See Heb. 11:7). Abraham's faith prompted him to obey God's will and he was called "the friend of God." (See Heb. 11:8-10; Jas. 2:21-23).

It takes genuine faith to obey God's plan of salvation GOD'S way of worship, and GOD'S way of life. Paul tells us that "we walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7), and that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17). Unless we have enough faith to obey GOD'S WILL, we have no promise of eternal life.

LOVE -- TO BE UNSELFISH?

Selfishness is a very common sin. True love (genuine concern) will cause one to be unselfish. God SO LOVED that He gave His Son to die for us. (See Jno. 3:16). Christ SO LOVED that He was willing to give Himself for us. We should have sufficient love that we would be willing to deny self and show compassion toward others. Do we?

SYMPATHY -- TO HELP OTHERS BEAR THEIR BURDENS?

Although a certain priest and Levite showed no compassion toward the man who fell among thieves, the Samaritan was neighbor to him that fell among thieves because he was compassionate adn willing to help him bear his burden. We are told to "bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2). We who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. (See Rom. 15:1). Are you REALLY sympathetic toward others?

CONFIDENCE -- TO HOLD STEDFAST UNTO THE END?

The Hebrew writer said: "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end." (Heb. 3:14). We need the quality of confidence which leads us to be patient and endure hardships, afflictions, and persecutions. We must be stedfast and endure faithfully unto death.

By Carrol R. Sutton

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