I Corinthians 1:12

"For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you"

I attended the first Desiring God conference session yesterday, and while there are so many things that I learned, and so many things that had a tremendous impact on me I wanted to highlight this one. John Macarthur, a pastor I have a deep respect for, said that one key to a successful ministry is a commitment of personal holiness. He said, and I agree because I can absolutely see how, that allowing a secret sin in your life will destroy you eventually. He said the one defense Paul had against the claims against him by the church in Corinth was a clear conscience. If God has called me to ministry, I can't imagine trying to do anything to impact the kingdom for Christ if I myself have an inner, secret sin that consumes me. I believe that if an individual is committed to this wonderful, saving Gospel, Satan and his demons will do what they can to thwart the impact of whatever that person says, and if we ignore our conscience, and allow a secret sin to consume us from the inside out, we're headed for a ridiculously rude awakening.

For this reason, I am on my face before this Holy God, begging him for mercy daily. I don't see how anyone lives any other way. I wouldn't want to live any other way. This God is so full of grace and mercy, that we tend to forget that every breath we take is an undeserved gift from our Sovereign Lord. I certainly wouldn't say I mope around because of my unworthiness and sinfulness, I don't think that's Biblical at all, but I do know there is no greater joy for me than to bask in the awesome glory and sovereign, saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"In Him was light, and the light was the light of men..."

My First Blog

so I decided to start one of these. I am so blessed everyday by people who put so much time and energy into thier blogs, that I wanted one of my own. Besides, people tell me it's a good idea to journal, and while you will rarely read about my personal struggles here, I will put in here things the Lord has taught me. I have decided to name my blog "So Great a Salvation" in honor of the verses found in Hebrews that reads:

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will."

That is such a beautiful verse, like so many verses in the Bible, and I have chosen it as a staple of this blog because I know so many people, including myself, tend to neglect this glorious salvation we have received through Christ. I believe it is time for those who depend on the Name of our Lord for their salvation to get serious about thier faith.