Are These Things So? Then Thank God and Take Courage

Christ still delights to save sinners, and still approves zeal and labor in the cause of God.  Our work for God may be despised and ridiculed in many quarters.  But while man mocks our zeal, Christ is well pleased.

• Then Jesus explained: My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent Me, and from finishing His will."

Strong encouragement is held out to those who labor to do good to souls.  One single soul saved shall outlive and outweigh all the kingdoms of the world. 

• "The fields are already ripe for harvest.  The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life."

There are a variety of ways by which men are led to believe in Christ. The arrows of the Holy Spirit are all drawn from the same quiver.  But He uses sometimes one and sometimes another, according to His own sovereign will.

• Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said..."Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves.  Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world."

Are we converted ourselves?  This is the one point to which our attention ought to be directed.  Our experience may not tally with that of other believers.  But that is not the question. 

 

Do we feel sin, hate it, and flee from it?  

Do we love Christ, and rest solely on Him for salvation?  

Are we bringing forth fruits of the Holy Spirit in righteousness and true holiness?  

If these things are so we may thank God, and take courage.

- Adapted Excerpt from J.C. Ryle's The Gospel of John