There are some who foolishly ask "If a person falls into sin, does that not prove that he has never really been saved"? Such have been misled; they are not looking to a reliable test.
    Unfortunately, many saved people are sometimes overwhelmned by sin. Yet, when they sin it is different from that which characterized their lives before the time of their conversion. Before they ever trusted in Jesus sin occasioned little sorrow in their hearts; now it is sincerely mourned and deplored. God's help is now sought - not only for pardon, but for grace to avoid it in the future.
    A perfect life must never be the test of a genuine experience with the Lord; none are perfect. But, there ARE certain unfailing evidences of a salvation-experience. (1) As already stated, it will be evidented in a changed attitude toward sin. (2) It will be evident in a genuine love for Jesus Christ thru whom abundant blessings have been received. (3) There will be a firm desire to know Him and a commitment that once His will is recognized it will be followed at any cost. (4) There will also be an attitude of sincere love toward those who love and serve the Christ. Finally, (5)

    Definitely! Numerous Scriptures urge attendance upon the public services of God's sanctuary in both Old and New Testaments. It is a spiritual duty that should be regarded as a delightful privilege by all who "love the Lord sincerely". Consider the following: (Leviticus 8:3-5; Deut. 4:9-10; Psalm 26:8; 27:4; 84:1, 4, 10; 111:1; 122:1; Neh. 13:10-11; Matt. 18:19-20; Acts 4:31; I Tim. 3:14-15; Heb. 10:25).
    Some have so neglected the cultivation, nurturing and development of that spiritual life, imparted to them by divine grace, that their souls are dwarfed and the service of the church seems a drudgery. This is not an evidence of super spirituality; it suggests a self-indulgent carnality that is leading toward eternal loss.
    It is the Lord's plan that every person saved by His grace should be properly identified with Himself through membership and faithful service in a church that believes and practices His Word as revealed in the New Testament. It is in this manner that God has chosen to prepare a people to share the image of His Son -- and ultimately to share His glory and divine nature.
    Don't be a self-willed, "anti establishment" snob; submit NOW to God's order, and know His peace!

    "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth...For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace....God is not the author of confusion, but of peace," (James 3:13-18; I Cor. 14:33).
    For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another...Fulfil ye my joy, that ye

be likeminded, having the same love being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves, (Gal. 3:13-5 Phil. 2:2-3).
    "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life ..... Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace....Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as God forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful," (Phil. 2:14-16; Eph. 4:1-3; Col. 3:12-15).
    "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you...Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another....I speak as to wise men; JUDGE YE WHAT I SAY," (2 Cor. 13:11; Rom. 14:19; I Cor. 10:15).
    It is nowhere written in God's book that "Love ADVERTIZES a brother's sin". And it doesn't.

    Someone has wisely observed that "We mar our work for God: by noise and bustle; can we not do our part, and not be heard? Why should we care that men should see us with our tools, and praise the skill with which we use them?"
    Man's greatest problem is with "self" and that includes Christians. Self always dies hard; it cries out for honor and recognition. Though Jesus expressly commands His followers to take heed that they not act "to be seen of men", there are few who seem willing to render any significant service to their fellow-men, or to God, without first calling in a "press agent" to extol their greatness & benevolence of spirit. Such surely "have their reward"; but those who do their work in secret, and enter into their closets for private devotion, shall be openly rewarded by the Heavenly Father.
    What a wonderful difference it would make if men would live and labor ONLY for God's eye always doing those things that please Him! It would give us a sense of liberty -- while exalting our ideals of life and duty. It would inspire us with a desire to do and be our best for Him. When our lives are lived for His glory it is not necessary that every work be carefully labelled "with our names". His recognition and approval are sufficient.
    One of the best examples of self - effacement known to men is that of John the Baptist. Though great crowds thronged him at the beginning of his ministry, there came a day when the multitudes began to dwindle away and follow Jesus. John was not envious, jealous or bitter.

    With a joyful heart he expressed delight in what was happening. And when His disciples grew envious of Jesus, John forbad them, saying: "He must increase, but I must decrease". Joyfully he accepted the extinguishing of his own fame that the glory of Christ might shine with greater brilliance.
    This same renunciation of self characterized the whole life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He did not live for His own, but for the Father's glory. He gave Himself to death that men might live. And such self renunciation ought to characterize the life of every follower of His. We should be willing to serve Him anonymously. However beautiful and worthy a thing may be in itself, if motivated by a desire "to be seen of men" its beauty is spoiled and its worthiness diminished. Only that labor which is truly done for the glory of God will endure as "gold, silver and precious stones" in our life-buildings. The "wood, hay and stubble" of self - indulgence and self - exaltation will not stand the fires of divine judgment.
    For whom are YOU living? Self? or Christ?

there will be a desire to see other people commit their lives to Jesus.
    These are perhaps the most conspicuous evidences of one's spiritual renewal. They are not necessarily spontaneous and automatic in every life. Sometimes they develop as one grows in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. But, without a genuine abhorrence for sin, and a sincere love for, and trust in, Jesus Christ, one may well conclude that he is "far off" from any saving relationship to God.

    Many people ask this question -- more than are really interested in doing what the Word of God teaches. But for those who are truly interested, the answer may be found in the Book.
    The following passages should answer any question with regard to this subject that is of importance to men: (Mal. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:2-3; I Cor. 7:10-11,39).
    It is evident that one person cannot "make a marriage work". It is also true that one person MAY keep his (or her) heart right before God. Willing to follow Him, ANY CHRISTIAN will find God's grace sufficient for ALL HIS WORD DEMANDS.
Whatever one's question, he will always find that God's answer is best the only one that is safe when viewed with an eternal perspective.