A Good Start

A Good Start

- July 13, 2021

This young man started writing me several months ago, and after an exchange of letters where I recommended several churches nearer to him, he started attending our public outreaches. He lives 46 kilometers away in Pasig City. For someone to travel that far from where we are just to join us says a lot about finding treasure that is worth making the trip. I can surely relate to this. Being a new babe in the faith, he had a passion to preach about Christ. But upon joining our evening bible classes, his zeal slowly shifted to a realization of an even greater pursuit: that of knowing Christ.

He started commuting all the way from where he lived, to Bulacan. Leaving as early as 6AM to join our 8AM worship services. Every week for more than a month now. And to finally affirm his sincerity, without even telling me, he quietly searched for a place near us, and one day made the move to transfer all he had from Pasig, to live here. He is now one short ride away.

Each morning, I wake up to inquiries about scripture from several of my beloved children in the faith. Sometimes we exchange questions and answers up till 3AM. Sometimes I talk to one of them at a time. At times, three. All at once. Father always provides wise answers for their child-like inquiries about Him. I can never be more pleased to point their young minds to the God who loves them dearly. After each service on Sundays, he and another dear daughter of ours in the faith head home for an extended fellowship till late afternoon, talking about our class topics, and on just about anything about God. No empty subjects. How time flies every Sunday. We pray earnestly that they be found, not only standing, but laboring, at our LORD's return.

LORD willing we will be enabled to visit a zealous daughter of ours in the faith, and another new believer in Cavite, who both have made professions to follow Christ in spite of tremendous oppositions. An exhausting 80-kilometer trip one way, to baptize them at sea. This will be all the information I can give for now, the details of the situation that necessitates making the trip being very delicate. I am very much looking forward to it.

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.