The Cost Of Following Christ

The Cost Of Following Christ

- April 15, 2019

It has become increasingly difficult for Christians who work in the corporate world not to be affected in one way or another, as society embraces the very things the Lord has condemned. I have been formally unemployed since September of last year for refusing to work on a sodomite movie, yet the Lord has honored me, faithfully providing for my family while giving us the means to provide for our personal ministry's needs as well.

I believe in the gift of work. I am thankful for work. But it comes far behind my desire to obey my God, however imperfectly. Needless to say, in my situation, I cannot in good conscience live off the ministry. I thank the Lord I am not a pastor, that I am not constrained to recieve compensation for service. Two brothers have sent me money on occasion, but it all went to the purchase of Bibles and tracts. Like Paul, I prefer to work well with the hands I have been given, and with the Lord blessing me with several skills, I can enjoy a wider selection of fields to work in. It is enough comfort to know we are not in debt.

For now I am currently applying for work as a motorcycle delivery driver. It definitely does not pay as much as my previous profession, but that's the beauty of it. I can minister in more places. It will cover the basic bills, but the Lord is able to do more with the few loaves and fish I bring to him. It will bring me low, but will give much worth to the cross laid upon me. My wife does not agree to it, given the heat wave we have this summer, where stories of riders suffering heatstroke on the road abound. But as the Lord would have it, if He indeed so will, I would be accepted. My previous life on a motorcycle finally put to good use.

I can only plan. It is up to the Lord to direct my steps. If my application is declined, there are better ways up ahead. We will never be reduced to begging for bread, but in a more glorious way we have been driven further into the arms of the Lord. For this I am eternally grateful.

Comments

Kletos Covenantal Ministries is a small house gathering of Christians inside Brgy. Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan standing solely on the absolute authority, sufficiency, and inerrancy of God's Holy Word by the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are Presbyterian in church polity. We adhere strongly to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Larger and Smaller), the Athanasian and Nicene Creeds, and the Heidelberg Catechism. Our emphasis is on prayer, experimental/experiential preaching, the active proclamation of God's word in public, catechism, and daily intentional Family Worship in the homes.

Who I Am

I am a husband, and a father.

I am a mere recipient of my Father's mercy by the gracious merit of my Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ of God.
An unprofitable servant.

Raised as a Roman Catholic, lived like a demon for 24 years in that religion, became a "Christian" and joined a rich church twice, while living as a hypocrite for 19 more years, 14 of those in adultery. Finally found by Christ out of his own good mercy, convicted of my severe offenses, I realized I was helplessly lost. Regenerated and renewed according to the will of God through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Granted the gift of repentance and faith. Was saved. Washed in the blood of the Lamb. Passed from death unto life. Justified. Dying daily in sanctification. Soon to be glorified.

I pray in God's mercy that I may endure to the end carrying His name, proclaiming His kingdom, and preaching the good news of Christ's salvation, the good work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and the victorious power of the Resurrection unto sanctification which is in Christ Jesus, to all who will believe and behave the gospel.

I do not believe Christ saved me to merely hide inside a church building to be a good member, but He enlisted me to be a warring soldier for His kingdom to come; nor do I believe the Holy Spirit indwells in a believer and lets him live as the same old person prior to being saved. If, despite my service, the most Sovereign Lord assigns me to hell at the end, then I have no merit of my own to present to him for myself, other than that which is found in Christ. Though I deserve His justice, I can only plead His mercy. Regardless, God is still truly worthy of all service, worship, and praise.

I am in no way superior, more good, or better than the person I meet on the street. The only difference is I fully realize that I am a guilty criminal before God and that I rightly deserve to die under his justice, yet by His mercy and grace He forgave me - and so I am eternally grateful for this act of kindness that no good act in my entire life can ever truly repay. The common "churchian" knows this, yet has no evidence for it. I am of no such company.

Out of gratitude, I willingly set out to fulfill the Great Commission of proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ where all the fishes are - out on the street. Faithfully declaring the clear Gospel of repentance unto salvation, which is able to save to the uttermost, the newness of life in Christ, the persecution that comes with such profession, and the terrifying wrath & judgment of God to come upon the sons of disobedience.

If I lift Him up therefore, He will in turn draw His elect to Himself, thus glorifying the Father, who deserves the reverence He demands from all people and creation. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward for his suffering.

Grace alone.
Faith Alone.
Christ alone.
Scripture alone.
For the glory of God alone.