Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Can we know someone loves Christ, and how a conference championship game hurst you

Forgive me if you are tired of J.C. Ryle, but I must refer to his book, Holiness, one more time. A mark of a Christian is the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 7:47 states that “He that is really forgiven is the man who will really love. Or as Ryle states If a man has no love to Christ, you may be sure he has no faith.

The next question must be, How do I know a person loves Christ? Ryle states In what way and manner does love show itself between people in this world, brother and sister, between friend and friend? In other words, we may be sure a person loves Christ the same way we know a person loves anyone. Ryle continues:

1) If we love a person, we like to think about him – People we love we do not forget, and the same is true of Christ. Just as well, A Christian thinks often of His crucified Master

2) If we love a person, we like to hear about him – Friends, wives, and family alike. We like to hear about their achievements, successes and interests. Also, A Christian loves to hear sermons full of Christ.

3) If we love a person, we like to read about him ­– I will be vulnerable (unmanly I know). But when I was engaged to Liza long-distance, I loved to read letters from her. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian delights to read the Scriptures, because they tell him about his beloved Savior.

4) If we love a person, we like to please him – Who hasn’t found themselves doing things they never thought they would before…simply because it pleases the girl they are pursuing. I’ve watched quite a few romantic comedies simply for that reason. The same must be true of a Christian. We must love what He loves and hate what He hates. Show him anything in his daily practice that Christ hates, and whe will give it up. Show him anything that Christ delights in, and he will follow after it.

5) If we love a person, we like his friends – I’ve become friends of Samuel Husband, simply because if they are friends with the person I am. In the same way, a Christian must love the church.

Of course, none of these things are the basis of our salvation. Grace alone, through faith alone is the only basis of our salvation. But, our culture today shies away from declaring we can have a good idea who loves Christ or not. And ultimately, complete assurance of salvation really is with the individual. However, as Ryle says, then let it never be said that we cannot find out whether a Christian really loves Christ. It can be known; it may be discovered; the proofs are all ready to your hand. You have heard them this very day. Love to the Lord Jesus Christ is no hidden, secret, impalpable thing. It is like light, it will be seen. It is like sound- it will be heard. It is like heat- it will be felt. Where it cannot be seen, you may be sure there is none.

On a second note, ESPN’s judgment day is over. It was a great game, but still the hype was out of control. It appears that USC controls its own destiny now. If they win out, all experts say they will be in the National Championship. I will have to say that one thing that is never discussed is the conference championship game. In the SEC, you are automatically forced to play a top 15 team, yet again. And sometimes the opponent is even someone you have previously played. I love the championship game (and just hope one day that Ole Miss will make it….gosh please), but the championship game does nothing but affect you negatively in the national spotlight. Think if Ohio State had to play Wisconsin next week in a Big 10 championship game. How hard would it be to get up for that game after judgment day? Well, let’s just be honest, no conference championship game is quite like the SEC. The Big 12 game will be Nebraska vs. Texas. I’ll take Texas in a blowout. The ACC is possibly Wake Forest versus Georgia Tech. It’s always fun to watch Calvin Johnson, but compare the game to Arkansas versus Florida. Have a great and sweet emotion Thanksgiving.

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