“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” He6.10
What are those things which accompany a true Christian conversion? Jesus explained that we would be able to see His presence in us, by the fruit we produce. The passage above, tells us, that at least part of that fruit which accompanies salvation, are the works of service and labors of love which we have rendered toward others, and especially those in the family of faith. Today, I think the emphasis is somewhat different. Questions regarding real McCoy Christians, more than likely, would focus on doctrinal points rather than labors of love. This is not to say that what a person believes about Christ is unimportant. But I dare say that labors of love are the better measure of the genuineness of ones faith. A person may not understand, the virgin birth, the atonement or many other Christian doctrines and still, like the thief on the cross, express genuine faith. And, I am sure that had the thief lived longer, his faith would have produced these labors of love and his doctrine more than likely, would have matured.
I think it is also important to note that emphasis is placed, not only on fruit which we have done but are doing. The knowledge of eternal life is said to rest on those who are believing not on those who have believed (1Jo5.13). The same is said here, “you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” 5/18/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
