Notes of Faith March 25, 2026

Notes of Faith March 25, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

November 11, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN”

Romans 5:20-21

And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this final section of Roman 5 Paul talks about two reigns: the reign of sin and the reign of grace. First then, the reign of sin under the law.

He really gives to us the essential purpose of bringing in the law. “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase.” That is to say, the law came with all of it commands and restrictions so that, in the light of the Holy Law of God, the transgression (our sins) might loom large. The Law is, then, the revelation of God’s character.

But with the increase of the revelation of what sin is all about, under the illumination of the Law, grace abounded all the more. Grace surpassed sin. The contrast now grows greater, as sin reigned in death. The only possible conclusion is that sin ends in death.

Even so, by way of contrast, grace (in Jesus Christ) would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord – the only possible conclusion.

What a thrilling reality! God’s marvelous grace reigns daily in the lives of God’s children! Sin is no longer king in my life and your life, beloved. Grace is now king.

Are you still struggling under some sin that refuses to let go of its control in your life? Reflect upon this great liberation passage in Romans 5.

So this chapter begins with the peace of God through justification:

Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 1).

and concludes with the grace of God reigning through righteousness:

. . . so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (v. 21).

which naturally leads us to chapter 6 where all of this wonderful truth is explained further. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

There is a tendency in all of us to think, if not say, that since God’s grace reigns over my sin, I can keep on enjoying a life of sin without fear of God’s wrath.

Rom 6:1-19

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

2 Tim 2:22

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Eph 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

Eph 5:25-27

Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

1 Peter 1:15-16

like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength continually, always, every moment, will lead to will glorify God whose desire and promise is to make us into the image of His Son Jesus! Sin WAS our master. You have a new master in the Lord Jesus Christ and are set free from the reign of sin over you. This is truth! We need to act upon this truth. Fight the good fight.

Heb 12:4

You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;

Jesus shed His blood for your sin. Every time you sin, you should remember the blood that was shed for you.

Jesus said, “Follow Me”, His perfect life to imitate…

The Apostle Paul said, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.”

Let us fervently pursue Jesus, as each day brings us closer to His return…

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 24, 2026

Notes of Faith March 24, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

November 4, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“CONDEMNATION VS. JUSTIFICATION”

Romans 5:18-19

Today we continue the thoughts of Romans 5. Verses 18 and 19 sum up, in a concise form, the Apostle Paul’s teaching beginning in verse 12. In verse 17 we learn that the reign of death came upon all men through the transgression of the one (Adam.) Then Paul reminds us that for those in Christ, because of His work on the cross, there comes the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.

In verse 18 the “so then” encapsulates verses 12-17:

So then as through the one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

We should be ready to remind men that they are already under God’s righteous condemnation because of our relationship to Adam. It doesn’t matter what we have done. Our condemnation comes from who we are related to, which results in our actions.

In the same way justification of life comes to all believers through one act of righteousness – Jesus dying on the cross.

Then comes the issue of disobedience versus obedience:

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous (v. 19).

Adam disobeyed God, thus making the many (the human race) sinners. In the same way through the obedience of one man, Jesus, the many will be made righteous (cf. Philippians 2:5-8.)

We are to follow the way of the Righteous One in obedience. God never said this would be easy. But He did say it would be possible! What a contrast:

disobedience = unrighteous = condemnation (to eternal separation from God)

obedience = righteous = justification (declared righteous by God)!

Reflect on these precious doctrines as this is where the believer’s strength comes from. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Our relationship to Adam is earthly and physical (we were in his loins when he sinned against God). Our relationship with God is spiritual and eternal. We did not have to believe in Adam nor follow in his footsteps of sin, though all mankind does so, to be condemned by God. The entire human race, and for that matter, all of creation was condemned because of Adam’s sin. But in order to be saved from the penalty of our sin (death and eternal separation from God), we must believe in the only One who could pay our debt to God for our sin. Jesus’ work of sacrificing His own perfect and sinless life to the Father for our sin made forgiveness and redemption possible. We cannot earn our way to God by any amount of good works. Good works are an outpouring of salvation and redemption. Acts that follow believing faith in Jesus because of the work He has done on our behalf.

1 John 4:19

We love, because He first loved us.

John 14:15

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

This is obedience… Though we still live in the flesh that desires to sin, we must fight against those thoughts and actions and pursue the righteousness of Jesus daily! Disobedience brought death. Jesus’ death and resurrection brings life to those who believe in Him, repent of their sin and seek pure and holy lives.

Because of what God has done to redeem sinful mankind, we should be fervent in our desire to obey Him, to live every moment pleasing to our heavenly Father, looking forward to the day we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 23, 2026

Notes of Faith March 23, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

October 28, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“ADAM AND CHRIST IN CONTRAST”

Romans 5:15-17

I must confess that the following verses are extremely complicated. We’ll work through each thought very carefully.

We have seen that in verse 14 Adam is a type of Christ in contrast. Now that contrast is explained.

But the free gift is NOT like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many (verse 15).

Paul says that free gift is not like the transgression. Through the transgression of the one man, Adam, the many (all) died. Much more did the grace of God and the gift of grace through the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. That is, in its restorative effect grace surpassed the transgression. This is saying that we got much more in Christ than we lost in Adam.

This thought continues in verses 16 and 17:

And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgression resulting in justification.

For if the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

1. Through the transgression of the one (Adam) the many died. This means that the effects of Adam’s sin extended to the whole of the human race.

2. In a much greater degree, the restorative grace of God extended to the many who believe. This takes us beyond where Adam was in his innocence and exalts us to the heavenlies in Christ.

External judgment came to all men through the one who sinned (Adam). On the other hand, the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. That is to say the many transgressions (the sins of the entire human race) caused by the one transgression of Adam were put upon Jesus Christ on the cross. This resulted in justification for all believers through the one act of the Last Adam (Jesus).

My suggestion is that you read carefully through this complex passage to grasp the wonderful truth that the Holy Spirit is conveying to us. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

One of the greatest struggles of mankind is to understand that every person has a condition of judgment placed on them because of sin. It is a condition that they cannot fix or change on their own. All too often, man strives to act as God in his world and believes that anything is possible in his own power and strength.

Sin brought about decay and death! If we had not lost relationship with God… if Adam had not sinned, he would still be living with us today. Only the work of Jesus, paying for our sin, and redeeming our lives for God gives us opportunity for abundant life now and eternal life with Jesus! I pray that you have come to recognize what a permanent separation from God means…an eternal life of judgment in hell…but the love of God for us is poured out through the perfect and sinless life of Jesus, sacrificed to the Father for our sin. Only faith in Jesus and belief in His death and resurrection will give you true life!

Come to Jesus, confessing your sin, asking for forgiveness, and turning away from the sin that separates you from God. Grow in His grace and mercy daily and share with others what He has done for you in taking you from death to life!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 22, 2026

Notes of Faith March 22, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

October 14, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“SIN’S CHANNEL INTO THE WORLD”

Romans 5:12

This verse takes us back to Romans 3:23:

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Now we pick up this thought in Romans 5:12:

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.

This verse does three things:

1. It unequivocally includes all people in the category of sin. There isn’t one person – man, woman or child – who is not included in the divine indictment. Moms and dads, you well know that soon after that sweet little angel came into this world that sin was present in his/her makeup.

2. It identifies the source of that sin: through one man. This man is Adam. Sin passed down from our first father.

3. It tells us when we sinned. Look at the words “because all sinned.” Not all have sinned though this is true. But all sinned – an Aorist tense in the Greek. All sinned at a point in time. When? The entire human race was resident in Adam when he sinned. I sinned when he sinned and so did you.

Example: When Grandpa came from Ireland many years ago, I came from Ireland in Grandpa. I was in his loins. See how it works? We never have to teach our little ones to lie or throw a temper tantrum. Where did they get that tendency? It was in their hearts from birth. So let’s pray for and attempt to lead our children and grandchildren to Christ as soon as possible.

Some people will not accept this truth but there it is, both in the Bible and in human experience.

Thank God we have His answers to man’s problems. Amen? God bless each of you as we contemplate these solemn truths…

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Sin is our nature. We sinned in Adam and we sin because of the nature of our heart. Believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior brings salvation, forgiveness and renewed relationship with God, but it does not remove the sin nature while we yet live in this world. This nature continues to fight against the Spirit of God that is given to us at the moment of believing faith in Jesus. The more we dwell on the things of God, His will for us, obeying His commandments, the more we are led by the Spirit in decisions and actions we make, instead of the sinful nature that wants only to please itself and leads to destruction and death. May you call on the Lord Jesus to be your Savior today, to know and understand truth about yourself and God, and continue to grow in His grace and mercy day by day…and telling others about the blessing of moving from death to life in Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 21, 2026

Notes of Faith March 21, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

October 7, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“JUSTIFICATION PLUS” - continued

Romans 5:10-11

For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Let’s consider Part II of Justification Plus. Paul has just stated that believers have been delivered forever from the wrath of God because of our justification (being declared righteous) in Christ Jesus.

He now says that while we were still enemies of God, we were reconciled to God through the death of His son (the word reconcile means to change from a state of enmity to a state of friendship). The Greek word is katallasso. Here is the second “much more”.

In verse 10 he tells us much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved (continuously) by His resurrected life. Surely if the death of His Son brought us to God and justified us, how much more will He continue to save us in His resurrected life. This phase of His continuing salvation is seen in His intercessory work at the right hand of God the Father (cf Hebrews 7 and Romans 8:34.) He arose to a brand new life. This is life beyond death. It is life that keeps on saving. This is essentially the message of Romans 6.

What a thrill to know that both the death and life of Jesus Christ constitute the basis of our great salvation. How does this affect the believer? In verse 11 he writes, “not only this but we also exult or rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have received the reconciliation.”

Rejoicing is a big plus in our redemption. Rejoicing is a concept that appears prolifically in both old and new testaments. In fact, the one thing that can mar our rejoicing is sin in our lives. Sin pours cold water on the believer’s joy.

So, beloved, rejoicing should be our experience today. If it is not, then let’s examine ourselves. Let’s ask God to show us what is eroding our Christian joy. He will surely answer that prayer. When He shows us let’s confess it and move on in our walk with God - rejoicing! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

The creation of mankind was in sinless perfection. There was communion and fellowship, walking with God. Sin caused separation from God that could only be fixed, corrected, by an act of God. The only satisfactory payment for our sin would be a sinless sacrifice. The Son of God, Jesus, came to earth, lived a perfect and holy human life, then took on all sin of man, that man might be set free from the chains and servitude of sin. Jesus is our Savior, our Redeemer! In Him we have life and that, eternal! Praise Him for the gift of faith to believe, to follow and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. May we be blessed to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and relationship with Him, both now and for all eternity!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 20, 2026

Notes of Faith March 20, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 9, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“A STANDING WITH GOD”

Romans 5:2

Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through Whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Everything following verse one kind of melts down from that verse. Peace with God results in a wonderful standing in grace and abounding in hope. A standing in grace means that we have received a position in the grace of God.

The word “received” is a perfect tense verb which means we have received this position once for all, never to be changed! We are totally immersed in the grace of God forever and ever.

The unbeliever, if he remains in his unbelief, has a complete standing in the condemnation of God forever and ever.

God is so good! He takes us - through faith - from forever condemned to a perfect standing in God’s forever favor. Praise the Lord! Grace is available to God’s people for everything.

We also exult or rejoice in the glorious hope that grace brings to us. This means that we have this hope right now and thus we can rejoice in it.

But that hope is just the beginning. One day we will be in His glorious presence and we will be like Him, without sin, holy and righteous. Can you think of a greater legacy than that, beloved?

What a wonderful God we have. Let us rejoice in our standing in GRACE and HOPE OF GLORY today. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Without the grace of God we would all stand condemned for “all have fallen short of the glory of God”. We have been given a hope that leaves the earthly temporal glory behind and looks forward to the heavenly eternal glory waiting for those who believe in Jesus and His finished work on the cross, providing complete payment for our sin, forgiveness, a restored relationship…and in His resurrection, He, Jesus, the first fruits of eternal life.

John 11:25-26

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

1 Cor 15:42-49

…the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

My HOPE is in the glory of God! Jesus, the God-man, is the image of God in which we were originally created. As in Adam, all mankind sins, so in Jesus all believers will be made like His resurrected glory. Though we do not become “gods”, we will be transformed into sinless spiritual beings. Just as Jesus has a resurrected body that can be seen and touched, we will have an amazing resurrected body like His. But the greatest of these, for me, is to be without sin!

I can’t wait to be with Jesus. Let us endeavor to have the most intimate relationship possible with the One who loves us and died for us that we might truly live…today! Though we do not see Him now, we worship our Lord and Savior, giving thanks to God the Father, through the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, with HOPE, expectantly looking for His return to take us to be with Him forever!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 19, 2026

Notes of Faith March 19, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 2, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“PEACE WITH GOD”

Romans 5:1

Today we begin a verse-by-verse study of the fifth chapter of Romans. This is one of the great chapters of the Bible.

In Romans chapters 1-4 Paul makes an unarguable case against the whole of the human race - both Jew and Gentile. He closes chapter four with these words:

He who was delivered up because of our transgressions and was raised because of our justification.

Then he launches right into chapter five:

Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Therefore” reaches back and connects the whole of the preceding chapters with chapter five. “Justifies” means “declared righteous” not “made righteous.” Being made righteous won’t happen until we receive our new bodies. But we are declared righteous before God based upon what Jesus Christ has done. God the Father looks at us as He does His own Son! This produces for us peace with God. Not the peace of God, although that follows later. This is talking about a peace relationship that Jesus Christ established for us when He died and rose again. What a statement of finality He makes here! All of God’s justified ones share an equal standing with Christ before God. This should settle once and for all how God looks at us.

Are you struggling today with guilt? If you are, it may be unjustified guilt. If you have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior, there is no guilt upon you. However, if you are out of fellowship with God, there is something causing that. Find out what it is and confess it to Him in the Name of Jesus.

Have a guilt-free day! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Rom 8:1

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

No means none. Though we still sin we are covered by the blood of Jesus perfect sacrifice and our sins are washed clean. We stand before God in Jesus, pure and holy, as He is. Satan likes to bring up our past sin, saying that we are unworthy of relationship with God. Yet, we believe in the work of Jesus! Being in Christ brings us into a relationship with God through His righteousness and worthiness. We must understand our relationship to God through Jesus to understand that we have perfect peace with God, now, and forever more!

Follow Jesus! Pursue holiness! Trust the work of God through His Son, believing that you have been given perfect peace through keeping your heart and mind on Christ and your relationship in Him!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 18, 2026

Notes of Faith March 18, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 19, 2001

“NO MORE THAN YOU CAN BEAR”

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

In I Corinthians 10:13 Paul assures us that God will not allow more than we are able to bear. Sometimes what we are called to bear is others’ pressures. They can be devastating, especially if they are pressures relating to our children. We worry and wonder what we can do. The more we think about it the more frustrated we become. Three of our children are in crisis situations at this writing. How we hurt watching them hurt and how helpless we feel not being able to “fix it”.

God is so good to alleviate the pressure, although He doesn’t take it away. He does, however, lighten the load considerably. I am also reminded that the primary purpose is to strengthen my faith (James 1:3-4).

The first thing we should do is go to Him in prayer. There is something about prayer that is very consoling (I John 5:14-15). What a comfort it is to know that our Heavenly Father can “fix it” - far better than we - and He knows the very best way to work things out, so we leave our children in His hands.

So what pressures are you experiencing today? Do they seem more than you can bear? Just remember “There is no testing that has taken you that is not common to man but - GOD IS FAITHFUL”.

God has not promised skies always blue,

Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through.

God has not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God HAS promised strength for the day,

Rest for the weary, light for the way,

Grace for the trial, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

So, beloved, look at your pressures straight on, and thank God that He has chosen you to undergo this trying time! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

2 Peter 2:9

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation…

Heb 2:18

For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Heb 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

James 1:13-15

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Gal 6:1-2

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Let us consider the temptations and sufferings of Jesus, pick up our cross daily and follow Him, striving to live holy and acceptable lives to God. He will lead, guide and direct our path and bring us, at journeys end to our eternal home with Him!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 17, 2026

Notes of Faith March 17, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 12, 2001

“MARKS OF A GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD”

I John 2:3-6

Have you ever asked the question, “How can I be sure that I am truly a child of God?” John answers the question in this passage.

And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments (v. 3).

What assurance this is! Obeying His Word is proof of God’s ownership of us! God puts His Holy Spirit in our lives. He gives us His Word. The two are compatible. Our will becomes His will in reality.

Verse four contrasts the absence of obedience and the profession that it exposes:

The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

I suppose it is possible for someone to go through life deceiving himself that he knows God without obeying His Word, but he has certainly failed the test.

But whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him (v. 5)

Again we receive a wonderful assurance from our indwelling guest, the Holy Spirit. But what is involved in obeying the Word? James 1:22-25 answers this question.

But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.

I John 2:6 shows us the example that the one who obeys will follow:

. . . the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the

same manner as He walked (v. 6).

What a mandate - Christ our example (John 15:10). The greatest, most influential and tangible evidence of the validity and tenability of Biblical Christianity is the living evidence that a true Christian is to reflect in his/her life.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:15).

If we fall short of having this assurance we should be concerned. Stop and ask yourself, “Do I have this indication that I know Him?” This is a serious question for you and me. Let’s look into our hearts a little closer today. Do we need to make some changes? God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

If you are still reading this you may be challenged today… We all fail to keep His commandments and will as long as we are in this earthly body of sin. But God is transforming our hearts and mind to be like that of Jesus who obeyed all commandments. Our pursuit in life should be one of obedience. When we fall short, we should repent of our sin, and press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, striving to obey through the power of God within us, the gift of His Spirit. Let us pray for His strength to obey and receive the blessings of obedience. Following Jesus is not easy. Being a Christian is not easy. Picking up your cross daily is not easy. Leaving your sin on the cross of Jesus and not taking it back, is not easy. LIFE is not easy. But God… God has called us to Himself and provides all that we need to live pleasing to Him. To obey is a good thing. Follow Jesus in His sufferings and sacrifice of obedience.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 16, 2026

Notes of Faith March 16, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 5, 2001

“LOSING HEART OR GAINING CONFIDENCE?”

II Corinthians 4:16ff

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Another stay in the hospital. A couple more maladies to add to my ever-growing list of physical problems. Will it ever end? Often we allow the physical to govern our outlook on life. I know I do! If things are going well physically then we are reasonably optimistic. If not, we tend to become pessimistic and lose heart. This decay is a result of the fall. We call it growing old.

How do Christians cope with the aging process? You can’t change it, so how do you deal with it? Some succumb to it and become “grumpy old men” while others refuse to accept it and try to remain young all their lives. The fact is that aging in this life is an irreversible process. We need to understand it, accept it, and concentrate on what God says to concentrate on and that is to cultivate the internal.

While there is a gradual retirement of the physical, there is a constant change and renewal process taking place within the spiritual system. God, the Holy Spirit, is constantly developing His people from within.

What is this renewal and how does it happen?

• Christ is formed in us - Galatians 4:19

• We are renewed in our mind - Romans 12:1, 2

• We are renewed in knowledge - Colossians 3:10

• There is an overall renewal - II Corinthians 3:18

The renewing in the inner man is the process by which the Holy Spirit brings the essence of truth to your mind - your inner self - and with it forms and shapes Christ in you. The result of this inner renewing process has little to do with how you look but has a lot to do with how you look at things and people and life.

1. We have a more mature outlook and mindset in relation to the world in which we live. Maturity brings understanding.

2. We are more reflective of the mindset of Jesus Christ. This means a stronger capability of dealing with the difficulty.

3. This renewal is “day by day”. Are you, am I, willing to cultivate day by day to the principle of Colossians 3:1-2?

We need to take time to cultivate the inner man because if the internal man isn’t cultivated, the external will take control. Inner renewal will not only prevent us from losing heart, it will enable us to gain confidence as we move toward the eternal (Philippians 3:12-14).

Beloved, the Christian is conditioned by difficulty and by the renewing process of the Holy Spirit to appreciate and embrace eternal realities. How precious this passage has become to me:

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:21.

Once again Eva and I thank you for your love and prayers. What a blessing you are!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

We (true believers and obedient followers of Christ) are NOTW !

Gal 4:19

19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you…

Rom 12:2

do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Col 3:10

put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him

2 Cor 3:18

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Col 3:1-2

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Phil 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Created in the image of God, and although having fallen from that perfection, God through His grace, mercy and love, pursues us, to know Him, to love Him, to worship and serve Him. Because of His great love, He is making us more like Jesus, day by day, that He might present us, the church, the bride of Christ, who will be like Him in holiness, righteousness, and truth! May we pray for this life change, answer the call of God on our heart, and follow Jesus in obedience all of our days!

Pastor Dale