We live in a day where the gospel is if not utterly despised; it is altered, dilute, polluted in such a way that anyone can claim and salvation, without a litmus test or a standard to compare it to. But the scriptures teach us that if we have been buried with him in his death, we would live by him and for him through his life. May God's word, in the power of His Spirit; rescue the lost, bring back the prodigal, and revive the downtrodden.

It is true that works played no part in our salvation, our redemption, our reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ our Lord; but works is the one the most important parts of our lives, post salvation. Divine works, flowing from a spirit led, grateful and a humble heart is one of the evidences and identifiers of those who know, imitate and follow the Lord. As far as personal works are concerned; others cannot and God will not do them for you.

143 times in the N.T. the word "crowd/s" is used in relation to Jesus, his travelings and teachings. But there is a distinct difference in being there and being His; for we are in fact to be "People of the Christ, not the Crowd". A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. People who know the Lord, and have a firm, reliant, exclusive and intimate trust in Him. People who know not only his name, but his voice...and another ones voice they will not follow.