The Invisible Listener

The Invisible Listener

- July 06, 2021

I was pleasantly interrupted this last Thursday afternoon as I was doing my reading at our barn door, by a neighboring mother who called my attention, asking me about having to attend church again. She has started to attend the services at the end of 2019, just after the chapel was built, but due to the insistence of her husband to cease from such she has since stopped. I will tell of her background briefly, without going into specifics, only that on this particular day, she was recommended by her parole officer to attend a Christian church anywhere near her as part of her probation program. She immediately thought of us.

Come evening, we enjoy quietness in our area, and it had crossed my mind that my voice could probably be heard from the outside as we did our study. And so I deliberately raise my voice more than usual in the hopes that our neighbors might hear. This mother had indeed by God's providence been listening in, over our wall, on our evening bible classes. Being content to sit quietly outside, in the dark, just to hear.

Her husband, as in the case of most mothers here, strongly discourages and disapproves of her getting involved in any way with the church. Their house, full of carved images. But God made it so that while serving her sentence, a group of born again Christians helped her, and it made such an impression on her that she wanted to know more. Now the recent recommendation frees her from the restraint of her husband and obliges her to seek interactions with Christians.

This Monday evening, she joined us for the first time in our evening class. Our very first neighbor. Could this be the seed breaking from the soil that we have been praying for in this place? I am both humbled and fearful. Such a priceless treasure has been placed on my hands. Unknown to her, her son also inquired of our bible study separately. Lord willing, he will be joining as well. If so, Father has already entrusted 19 souls to my care. Grace is sure to follow. May He find me faithful.

May she obtain abounding favor of the LORD, and rich mercy be shown to her and her family, as with all the other souls under my shepherding.

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.