Edward Byrd

      We are coming rapidly to a season for which few are prepared, I fear. It will be the time when all of the signs of the times speak of God's impatience with us sinners. He will allow the man of sin, the antichrist, to lead the world, but only those who have learned of Christ and know Him in fellowship and love will find comfort in that time when buying and selling will require a special mark and the wearing of that mark in the right hand or on the forehead will mean judgment in the pit (Rev. 14:11).
      It seems that Scripture verses are not enough to convince people of the Wrath of God. It is a difficult thinking. We like to think of love of compassion, of goodness. We are even loathe to speak of such a standard because others feel we are saying we never sin and are putting down those who admit they can.  My response to that charge is that I am convicted of sins of thoughts, word and deeds which few others seem to even recognize as sin. Pr 24:9 “The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.” God sees even the thought of our hearts (Gen. 6:5). When shall we learn to fear the God who Measures every thought, word and deed? Yes, He provides a Savior sufficient, but we are bound to receive that provision or miss all of the benefits of His grace. God tells the UN-righteous man (to forsake) his thoughts Isa 55:7). He knows us well. We do not have to sin openly or secretly by lies, murder, stealing, or adultery to be a vile sinner. Hate in the heart destroys us. Vain thoughts God hates (Ps 119:113; Jer 4:14). Jesus challenges the thoughts in our hearts (Mt 9:4; 15:19: cf. Acts 8:22).
      We all are found out before we even thought it was sin, even if our outward lives are exemplary. Guilty! God has made provision, but this has to be sought by faith (2 Cor 10:5).
      This reminds me that “purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9) is a reference to the purifying of the heart or life which occurs all along, not just when one is first saved. Yes, it is called salvation by faith (Rom 10), but the same is the sense there. It is the salvation of the life. Cornelius was a man of faith before Peter went to see him and preached to the household. The gift of the Spirit specially proved that Gentiles were to be blessed in covenant benefits just as Jews, so long as they acted in faith. It was not the Spirit given to prove they had been saved. I recognize that not all see these two passages alike. For that I am truly sorry. I would that men who think they see actually could see the Scriptures as they are presented. Note Acts 15:11, “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” It speaks of a future salvation for Peter and those brethren (v 7), actually apostles and elders (v 6). It means this life salvation which is afforded the church through the development of the hearts of believers in the fellowship. Please, brethren, let us heed the context to see whether he is speaking of the initial act, or whether it is to be seen as describing the saving of the life. Yes, the provision is made in God’s grace for more than the initial experience. Growth in grace and knowledge should extend throughout life (2 Pet 3:18). Such is that salvation which is nearer now than when we first believed. (Rom 13:11 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Surely this refers to full salvation, particularly the resurrection (saving) of the body. There is no way it could apply to what happens at first faith alone.
      As memorable as the original experience is, and as important as it is, it is not a done deal at that point, unless God is pleased to take such a person on out of the life at that time. He has given us a way, not just a gate. It is truly “strait,” (narrow), and few there be that find it. But it behooves us to walk in it in faith. Mt 7:14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” We May feel that we are being robbed of great benefits, but it is better to be safe than wrong.