Dr Paul Allen

THE CHRISTIAN ’S ASSURANCE “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God , to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) HOW many of God’s children through the centuries have drawn strength and comfort from this blessed verse. In the midst of trials, perplexities, and persecutions, this has been a rock beneath their feet. Though to outward sight things seemed to work against their good, though to carnal reason things appeared to be working for their ill, nevertheless, faith knew it was far otherwise. And how great the loss to those who failed to rest in this inspired declaration: what unnecessary fears and doubtings were the consequence. “All things work together.” The first thought occurring to us is this: What a glorious Being is our God, who is able to make all things so work! What a frightful amount of evil is in constant motion. What an almost infinite number of creatures there are in the world. What an incalculable quantity of

English: St. Paul by El Greco, c. 1608-1614. Originally taken from artchive.com (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God , and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." ( Revelation 3:1 ) The church at Sardis received the saddest of the Lord 's seven letters in Revelation. Sardis seemed to want to remain known as a "live" church, but the Lord saw their real testimony and reputation and concluded that they were "dead."Many such places around the world today are enshrined with stained glass , statuary, crosses, and inscriptions that have the "name" of Christianity emblazoned throughout their property, yet they are dead spiritually. Such churches might be compared to the monuments and gravestones erected in cemeteries to honor the memories of faithful men and women of past generations who wer