"And I am certain that God, who began a good work within you, will continue
his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Philippians 1:6 NLT
I just sent off a letter to a young man who first befriended me several years ago...
his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Philippians 1:6 NLT
I just sent off a letter to a young man who first befriended me several years ago...
He had gotten into some trouble and ended up doing three months in jail. But while he was incarcerated, he decided to place his faith in Jesus Christ after speaking with a volunteer minister who visited the jail regularly.
He also began to attend the minister's weekly Bible study as well. It was here where he first came across my story of redemption. He had been given a gospel tract of my testimony, and became intrigued. And when he was released, he reached out to me.
He first contacted me through the minister who shared my story with him. He wanted to straighten himself out and not return to a life of alcohol and other drugs. So he wrote to me asking for advice. Hence, our exchange of several letters back and forth.
And in the course of time, he continues to do good. He's attending a local church on the West Coast and is going to Bible studies as well. So like an older brother, I do my best through ordinary postal letters to encourage him to stay on his present path.
In my last letter, I congratulated him on how well he's doing. I also reminded him to stay close to the Lord through daily prayer, and the reading of the Scriptures. And to do his best to stay out of trouble, and to make good choices.
After we put our faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17), and we are made whole, we are to stop sinning. If we don’t, something worse could happen (John 5:14 and John 8:10-11). I ended my letter with the words, "You have a good future ahead of you. Your life is now on the right track, so don't mess it up!"
D.B.
Note: Even good Christians can fall into temptation. But our God is merciful. If we do “mess up,” we can confess our sins to Him. He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
He also began to attend the minister's weekly Bible study as well. It was here where he first came across my story of redemption. He had been given a gospel tract of my testimony, and became intrigued. And when he was released, he reached out to me.
He first contacted me through the minister who shared my story with him. He wanted to straighten himself out and not return to a life of alcohol and other drugs. So he wrote to me asking for advice. Hence, our exchange of several letters back and forth.
And in the course of time, he continues to do good. He's attending a local church on the West Coast and is going to Bible studies as well. So like an older brother, I do my best through ordinary postal letters to encourage him to stay on his present path.
In my last letter, I congratulated him on how well he's doing. I also reminded him to stay close to the Lord through daily prayer, and the reading of the Scriptures. And to do his best to stay out of trouble, and to make good choices.
After we put our faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17), and we are made whole, we are to stop sinning. If we don’t, something worse could happen (John 5:14 and John 8:10-11). I ended my letter with the words, "You have a good future ahead of you. Your life is now on the right track, so don't mess it up!"
D.B.
Note: Even good Christians can fall into temptation. But our God is merciful. If we do “mess up,” we can confess our sins to Him. He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).