Afterword

Many people write a foreword to their book – I have never before seen an afterword. But it is my book, possibly my last book, and so I have chosen to break tradition (or perhaps start one).

In writing this book and over the past several years, I have done a lot of reflecting on myself and have come to a number of personal conclusions, some of which I would like to share (some I will keep to myself).

1. My enemies are probably right that I am not very valuable to the cause of Christ. While the words of some of my friends say I am a good teacher and that they could learn much from me, we never study together. While many say I am well versed in the Scriptures, they refuse to assist me or support me in any of my works. While I understand the need for evangelism, I am often lazy and unproductive.

2. There is a second thing I have realized. I am, at best, very weak in the Faith in many respects. I struggle to overcome many personal weaknesses I should have dismissed from my life many years ago. In some areas I have failed miserably.

3. I am a one-talent man. I say this because the Bible does not allow for a no – talent man. I spoke these thoughts recently to a past friend who reassured me I had many talents. Yet the last time he had spoken with me at any length, he indicated some views somewhat divergent to this.

4. I have come to recognize more and more that we contribute less and less to our salvation. It is truly by grace that we are saved. I still believe we must obey and serve, without which we will not receive that grace. But, when all is said and done, we are still saved by grace, the grace of a loving God.

5. I have realized that, at the very best, people are just people, even when they are Christians. They sometimes lie, hate, gossip, hold envy, and perform a host of other such sins while feeling very good about themselves. Since I, too, am a “people”, I need to constantly watch myself to avoid these attitudes. They are so subtle, they can overcome us and we will never even notice.

6. I have observed the term “friend” is highly misused. I know that Jesus is my best friend, my wife is my best friend on earth, and presently I have a number of people that I believe are truly my friends. I do not list them here because the list may change. Some that I considered dear friends for years, now do not even speak to me unless forced to. Now, this may be my own fault in some cases. I do not know. But I believe a true friend will stick with you. I cannot control the actions of others, but when I am a friend to someone, I need to be a true friend, even if my friend is not perfect.

I have recorded these brief thoughts to help the readers to understand that everyone, myself included, is challenged daily to take up his cross and follow Christ. Your talents, like mine, may be limited. Your weaknesses, like mine, may be legion. Your friends, like mine, may waver. But Jesus is always there and our hope is never removed as long as we continue to walk in the light of God. Never give up!

“Be thou faithful unto death. and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10b

Bob White