Mark Scholten

How do I Know that I am Saved?

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Movie on 12-29-22 at 10.09 AM

How do I know that I am saved, and that I am going heaven when I die?

A full assurance of faith is a precious, fortifying and comforting truth.  But not every Christian has it. Why?

Our battle with sin calls into question the outcome of the war. Will I ever overcome these sins?  The promises of God astonishing, and we fail to rest in them. We know that we could be better Christians, so we wonder if we are Christians at all.

How can we build a well grounded, confident faith?

The Westminster Confession says,

An infallible assurance of faith [is] founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, [and] the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God (18.2).

The primarily foundation of faith “is the divine truth of the promises of salvation.” We believe the gospel, trust it, rest in it. We believe God and his testimony to the good news. 

Secondly, “the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made.”  First, we believe the gospel of God and then secondly we walk with God.  Saving faith is demonstrated by good works. We can look at the work of God in our lives after we believe the gospel.  We can see evidence of the change that God has worked in our souls, our minds, our actions.

Last, “the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God.”  As we believe the gospel and walk in trusting obedience to God, the Holy Spirit points it out to us by way of encouragement. 

Some call this the reflex act of faith, faith looking back on itself.  The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that are children of God.

You can’t see the wind, but you can see what the winds does to the trees.  If you branches are shivering, the wind of the Spirit is blowing.

So, look outside yourself to the fullness of Christ and the truth of his gospel for assurance. Then, look to the evidence of faith in your own life and the Spirit will encourage you to rest in the knowledge that you are a child of God. Rest assured.

Rest; it Helps you Get Things Done

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Have you seen the patches of wildflowers that they planted in the median of the highway?  I have.  I have often wondered; what do they smell like.  I would like to spread out a blanket and rest there for a bit.

But, I am on the highway, moving at 70 – 80 miles per hour, and I have places to go, things to do, and people to please.  So, I don’t stop – I am too busy.

Well, stop and smell those wildflowers!  What a picture of modern life – go fast, go far, but never stop and smell the Roses.  We rush past some the best things in life because we do not hit the brakes.

Thanksgiving is a time to slow down, cross the river, and rest in the shade of the trees.  It seems that we do not have the time to be grateful – to notice the rich blessings that surround us every day.

Well, hit the brakes, get out the blankets, and allow your mind and heart to rest in the blessing that God has given.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

If pastoral permission will help you to pause and give thanks among family and friends, you have it.  God is good, all the time. And we can give thanks in all circumstances.

After you have paused and smelt the wildflowers, then you can crank it up to 70 mph again; but now, you carry the aroma of rest and gratitude with you.

So, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

God’s Greatness Compels us to Worship

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After Adam and Eve sinned… “they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8

When Moses met God at the burning bush, God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

When Isaiah met God in the Temple he said, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’ Isaiah 6:5

When Paul met the Lord on the road to Damascus, he was struck blind.  “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me.” Acts 9:4

Have we domesticated God? Have we pulled his teeth and removed his claws? Is our God a tame, small, controllable God?

When prophets saw angels, God’s messengers, they dropped to their knees and fell on their faces intending to worship.  And those angels veil their faces and cover their feet in the presence of God.

God is greater than we can conceive; he is holy, holy, holy. And he is worthy of our astonished reverence, and heartfelt adoration in worship.

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Revelation 5:12

And this awesome and majestic God is now our savior and friend. 

Think on that when you come to worship.

Hebrews 12:28-29  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Living Faith

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Too often I have twisted the key in my car’s ignition only to hear the familiar grind of a dead battery. It usually happens on a busy Monday. The battery may be revived. It simply needs to be recharged. But a battery that is unable to start the car is a dead battery.

Faith is dead when it does not work. It is a dead faith. “… faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” James 2:17.  The example used in James 2 is extending mercy to a fellow Christian in need – giving them needed food and clothing. A true and maturing faith expresses itself in practical love to others in the family of God. In the church fellowship, faith finds expression in mutual acts of genuine kindness that multiply exponentially. The love of God in Christ, flowing through our veins, produces sincere love for the brethren that is noticeable. That is the tangible work of faith.

These works of love take many forms. In general, they mean scratching where others itch. Some people need encouragement, others prayer. Some sisters need advice, others a shoulder to cry on. Some brothers need money, others need rebuke. Some need help, others simply a smile. Everyone needs to be known, noticed, and nurtured in some way. Yes, but, how can I tell what others really need?  You must know them. You need to invest in them, talk to them, have them over for lunch. You take a real interest in them. You enter into their lives and begin to actively love them.  

Faith so settles and stabilizes us that we can give ourselves away in the works of love- the true expression of faith. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16). The love that comes to us from God in Christ also percolates through us and is poured into the lives of others.

True Christianity makes us great lovers of all mankind. Having received everything freely and fully in Christ, we can give ourselves away in love to all mankind, especially to the household of faith (“As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:10).  That is the true Christian expression of a living faith – it works in love.

At times, our battery of faith can lose its power to serve. We can burn out in service, or we can be burned in acts of kindness. The battery of faith needs to be recharged. How does that happen? You plug yourself into the fellowship of those who have living faith. You re-engage in communion of the saints. You worship, you speak to God’s people, you are renewed in the presence of others with living faith. So, ladies and gentleman – start your engines!!

The Mark of a Christian

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How can you recognize a fellow Christian? What are the distinguishing marks of a sibling in Christ? Some claim that the Christian is known by what he says, others by what he believes, and still others by what he does? Who is right?

An argument could be made for three conclusions. A believer must confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in his heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). So, what we say is essential to being a Christian. Also, our theology matters. What we understand God to be and to require makes an enormous difference in our lives. But the Christian also must act on what he says and turn his theology into deeds. What we say and believe comes to full fruition in what we do. So, the best method of discerning another maturing Christian is by what they do.

The Christian is known by what he does; what he hates, and what he loves. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13).

Deeds of love are marks of the Christian – some say it is the mark! Our love, for brothers and others, must be sincere. You can’t fake real love or mimic a genuine heart for other people. The Christian’s focus is on the needs and wounds of the other and not on themselves. They give their time and concern away to the needs of others freely and with great joy. But, to love well also means to hate fiercely. Christians do not compromise with evil, nor make treaties with wrong. We abhor what is evil and hold fast to what is good even if society disagrees.

Christians, readily and happily, show honor to others and freely praise them. Christians are whole and content in the love and provision of their God. It is not about them and their needs anymore. We can boldly honor and praise what is honorable and praiseworthy without taking any thought for ourselves. We are set free to work hard and serve sacrificially because we are resting in God as we labor for Him. Having God, we have hope even in difficult times. Our God is good to us all the time. We can pray at all times, and open our hearts and homes to others. Out of our fullness in Christ, our lives overflow in loving actions toward others. That is the mark of the Christian. And it develops, not by focusing on our good deeds, but rather on Christ, and the completeness of his love. We enter into the vast love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and carry others along in our wake. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). So, find someone to love and do it well; for Christ is working through you.

More than Conquerers

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Movie on 12-1-22 at 11.07 AM

I received a note from a friend from seminary this week.  “There is no hope for us now.”  I responded, “The Word and Promises of Christ never fail. Therefore hope never dies. Courage brother, the best it yet to come.” He replied, “Amen! ‘Though the wrong seems oft so strong, HE is the ruler yet!.  “Sing it brother! Then believe and rest in it. I am trying to myself.

I have another friend from seminary who was recently diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.  She has a Caring Bridge site and she writes frequently and honestly in it.  Here is a sample, “Having a rare form of nasty cancer, knowing what’s coming in some ways and living also with the mysterious unknown future….or not…has radically changed how I think.”

“While being terrified of that unknown, I keep coming back to what really matters in life. Love. Love is what matters. Not being “right.” I’ve had to drop my own weapons that I had toward a few people that have hurt and harmed me. I’ve needed to see people better in light of their sufferings….my paraphrase of a Bonhoeffer quote….and forgive generously.”

“At the end of my life (whenever that is), when it’s all said and done, what do I want to be most known/remembered about me? I want for people to be able to look at my life and say “Hey that Jesus guy seems pretty great. I’d like to know more about him.””

It is such and encouragement to me to see my brothers and sisters fighting depression and despair in a fallen world with faith. Knowing Christ, and resting in the gospel at the most difficult times it possible.  

No matter what life throws at us, we can overcome through the love of God in Christ.

Are you tempted to despair? Are you tottering on depression? Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us.”  Men, women, to arms!! Victory is assured.

Conflict? In the Church?

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Jesus died so that his children might live in peace, and multiply that gospel peace throughout the world.  There should not be conflict in the church nor among the people of God.  We are redeemed, given grace upon grace.  We recognize sin, we repent from it, and forgive it in others when they ask.  We should all be in one accord for the same Spirit fills us all.  We are to lay down our lives for one another, consider others better than ourselves, and honor our brothers and sisters. The congregation is a sanctuary, a place of peace and refuge from a fallen world and sinful conflict.  

We should not have conflict in the church. But we often do. We should not have conflict in our families, but we often do.  Likewise, we often have conflict in the church.  Why?  We still sin. James 4:1, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

Paul and Barnabas had a great conflict over John Mark (Acts 15:36-41). On the first missionary journey, John Mark had turned back in Pamphilia  We don’t know why he did so.  Was he troubled by the Gentile mission? Was he afraid? Was he homesick?  We only know that he turned back from the mission.  He had not gone with them to the work. Acts 13:13, “And John left them and returned to Jerusalem.” 

John Mark was Barnabas’s cousin. Mary, his mother, owned a large home in Jerusalem.  It was the home of the prayer meeting when Peter escaped prison and came to the door. John Mark was most likely the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was the occasion of the conflict.

Barnabas was the son of encouragement. He was the first to welcome Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-27) and he was quick to receive and restore John Mark. He had a conflict with Paul!

Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement about taking John Mark with them on the second missionary journey.  They had a “paroxysmos” about his qualifications for ministry.  So they separated. And in their unfortunate divide, they doubled the missionary force!  God still used separation to forward his work.

Later, there was reconciliation. Paul had good words for both Barnabas and Mark (1 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Corinthians 8-18-19 (likely speaking of Barnabas); Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry).

In a sinful world, we will have conflict. In a sinful church, we will have conflict. God rules and overrules our conflicts for good, provides for the future ministry of the church and opens the possibility for future reconciliation. (Paul and John Mark were apparently reconciled).

Walk with God through church conflicts. Learn from them and grow. “Though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry in your conflicts. Don’t take things personally – it is not about you. If you are wrong, confess it – seek forgiveness. Pray, take a stand where you must knowing that you still might be wrong. Strive to honor Christ, even in separation and conflict.

Finding your Heart’s Home

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My heart is wandering in lonely exile earnestly searching for a way home. We all hunger for quiet rest in this “waste howling wilderness.” After we were kicked out of the Garden of Eden, we were refugees, aimlessly searching for a place of peace – aching for shalom. We read in Deuteronomy 32:9-10 “For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.” The Lord who searches for us is the rest of his people, the home of the heart, and the sanctuary for the refugee. God finding his people is the end of the exile of our hearts. He welcomes us home beside the green pastures and the quiet waters.

Happiness, or heart satisfaction, is like a wet bar of soap. The tighter you squeeze the soap the more it slips through your fingers. Rest of heart and true joy are not found by searching for them directly nor by making them your solitary focus. They are by-products of finding something, actually someone, else. More accurately, that Someone finding you!

We, of all God’s creatures, were made in the image and likeness of God. God is our natural environment – our home – the place where we thrive and find rest! Communion with God is our shalom. We were created to know and love God; to enjoy his presence, wisdom, blessing, and favor. Our hearts belong to him by virtue of creation. But our hearts will not find their rest in him except by virtue of redemption. Paul speaking in Athens said, “they (all mankind) should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’” (Acts 17:27-28). We were made to know God and dwell with him. He is our home, our peace, and our rest.

In our search for heart rest and soul satisfaction, many aim horizontally and ask created things to bring them contentment. ‘My spouse will make me happy.’  ‘My kids will fulfill my dreams.’  ‘Success will give my heart rest.’ We expect earthly things to do what only God can do; namely, to give true satisfaction of heart. Relationships, good times, fame, riches, even family, and personal accomplishments can only give a temporary sense of peace. These blessings are only a few of the pleasures God gives. True rest is found not in the gifts alone, but in the giver.

Yet, all of creation’s good gifts point to the giver as the true source of rest and peace. “God is the peace that you are looking for…  If you seek God, rest in his presence and grace, and put your heart in his most capable hands, he will satisfy your heart as nothing else can” (Paul David Tripp). 

In every dessert line blessed with Scotch-a-Roos, my personal favorite, I am sorely tempted to take the whole plate instead of grabbing only one treat!  In our search for soul satisfaction and peace of heart we are not to be content merely with the gifts that God can give and to seek our shalom among earthly things, we are to take the whole plate! We are to aim for God and have all these other things thrown in.  Isn’t that what Jesus told us? “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)  ‘There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God.’ Won’t you join him there? Won’t you enter into that rest?

Session Summary July 2022

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All Session members with the exception of Bryan McReynolds, were present along with guests Millie Moore, Carla Wooten, Phil Motes, and Randy Waters.    We prayed specifically for seven of our church families.  We also shared and prayed for concerns known to each of us as shepherding elders.  We heard reports from the pastor about families that have recently attended and been contacted by him and others.   The Veritas Christian school has agreed to again use our facilities on Thursday during the school year.  The Trellis team reported that our June financials closed with a $8,700 deficit, leaving us $11,900 below budget for the year.  Continue to pray for wisdom as the Session deals with this issue.    About 20 people are regularly attending the bi-weekly Wednesday evening “Your Questions, God’s Answers” dinner and study, and the Sunday evening prayer service and fellowship time.  These efforts have been well received and all are encouraged to participate.  We will begin a new family-oriented Sunday school class in the fall with John Etheridge as teacher, a great opportunity for those that prefer this style of learning.  We were encouraged by Paul and Robina Wolff’s recent visit and report about their mission work that we have supported for decades.   Remember to sign up to adopt one of our missionaries, a huge blessing.  The church growth team effort to reach out to new residents in our local neighborhood has produced hundreds of contacts that are being sent follow up materials.  The fellowship team has planned a church wide luncheon for July 31.  Come to meet and enjoy time with your brothers and sisters in the Lord and hear an update about future church plans.  The ladies recent “Meet and Eat” luncheon was well attended and enjoyed by all.  The matter we have before Savannah River Presbytery was not resolved at their July meeting, so it is still pending and continues to need our prayers.  There are many activities and plans in process to minister well to the members of Westminster and our community.  Please pray for God’s blessings, and consider how you might use your own spiritual gifts to help.  

Following the Call of God

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When the King speaks, when He commands, His people obey. Or, do they? When God called me into the ministry I immediately answered, “Here I am, send somebody else!”  Instead of following God’s call and trusting his grace I revisited the empty excuses of Moses. “I am nobody, I can’t do this. I am not eloquent, please send someone else; perhaps my brother, Aaron.”  Neither I nor Moses really heard God say, “I will be with you,” and “Who made the mouth?”  Moses and I were looking inward, at our lack of gifts, wisdom, experience, etc.  We were not looking to God, nor trusting his call, his provision, his ability.  God will not issue an order and then promptly turn his back on his obedient people.  With the command God gives the power, ability, and assistance to complete the task.

I am not alone, I think, in questioning God’s call to service.  Jonah ran in the opposite direction, Peter denied that he even knew the Lord Jesus, Gideon and Joshua needed assurance before they followed the voice of God.  Why do we hesitate to follow the wisdom of the almighty all wise God?  Often, we look to the current supplies on our shelves and calculate the impossibility of the task.  Said in another way, we fail to believe in the wisdom and might of the God who calls us. We look to our present ability instead of depending on God’s promised provision. We act as if it all depended on us and drive ourselves to despair. We think that we are ill equipped and feel very alone.  Cast your eyes on the full shelves of the King of the Universe! “What he says is always best and what he requires is always good.” Paul Tripp

We need to fix our minds on the One who has called us to serve.  He is almighty. He has a plan and a purpose that cannot fail.  He is doing something amazing and no one and no thing can hinder his masterpiece.  When he calls us to any type of service, he is inviting us to his victory parade.  He is giving us meaning, purpose, and even guaranteeing success (when viewed from His perspective).  It is most dangerous to rely on our own wisdom, and most safe to rely on His.  God calls us in order to mature us into childlike faith. Learn to walk in simple confidence in God.  We don’t need to know the whole story to write the first line. When you hear the call of God, take that first step of joyful faith.  

When God calls to serve, just do it. Don’t hesitate, don’t question, don’t begin to marshal seemingly legitimate excuses.  God knows all things, and in His wisdom He has called you! Now, this call of God can be something very simple – say a prayer for a friend, call to encourage a sister in Christ, give to a family in need, teach a class, or join a small group.  It is not the size of the calling that trips us up.  As a rule, those who obey in smaller things are given larger tasks. The key to joyful rest and submission is child-like faith. Just do it. Have the confidence that you and God can do anything. Labor in the assurance that you are not alone. Obey with evident joy because the Master has called your name and delights in your service.