Grampa, a Rascal, Had Genuine Faith, Dad, a Straight Arrow, was an Unbeliever -- People Can Tell

Grandpa, a bit of a rascal, had genuine faith -- Dad, a "straight arrow," was, sadly, I believe, a non-believer.

People can often tell what is real and what is not.

Grandpa was not shy about cracking an off-color joke at the dinner table, but he spoke admirably of Billy Graham, and their was a clear earnestness in his prayers and his talk of faith.

In many particulars the "content of his faith" was evident, though he was a rascal at times.

The following passage shows those "born after the flesh" seem to know who is "born after spirit."

New Testament passage Galatians 4:

²²For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

²³But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Skipping to verse 28 (full text latter).

²⁸Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

²⁹But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

³⁰Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

³¹So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Grandpa offered us grandkids, each, a quarter if we would memorize John 3:16.

This certainly tells us where his heart was.

Jesus Christ said:

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A quarter was worth something back in those days.

The old saying goes, "he marches to the beat of different drummer."

That is what is perceived -- the values, interests, decisions, and actions of true believers are inexplicable to unbelievers.

They just don't add up, they just don't compute, they just don't make sense.

Yes, different drummers. This is noticed.

The following New Testament passage indicates unbelievers can tell.

New Testament Passage 2 Corinthians 2:

¹⁴Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

¹⁵For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

¹⁶To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

¹⁷For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

John 3:

¹⁴And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

¹⁵That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

¹⁹And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

²⁰For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

²¹But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

New Testament passage Galatians 4:

²²For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

²³But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

²⁴Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

²⁵For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

²⁶But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

²⁷For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

²⁸Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

²⁹But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

³⁰Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

³¹So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

For my page on my Dad see -- I Miss My Dad Sometimes - A Straight Arrow - With Sadness - I Do Not Think He Embraced Jesus Christ.

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