So, okay...I probably caught your attention with this title, and yes the title is somewhat deceiving. I was not walking down the street only to be surprised by terrifying gunshots, nor talking with someone on the phone only to hear a blood-curling scream on the other end - none of it. It just so happened one day as I was driving down my driveway and I saw three crows, and yes for you skeptics out there, three or more crows in a group constitutes a "murder."
Normally, I probably wouldn't even pay attention to the crows, even more, see them; but a couple of days earlier I had heard on the radio that crows were a good litmus test to evaluate whether or not your area was infected with the American strain of the West Nile Virus. Crows are so highly susceptible to the disease (they can die within a week of being infected) that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) keeps a close watch on the crow population in an area to determine its risk factor. In other words, the more crows the better. Driving down the driveway, I realized that at least for now, my area was not doing too bad.
The Bible also gives us some "tests" that we can use to evaluate whether or not we truly are saved. When we observe I John 5:13 in its context, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" we become aware that the purpose of the book is for Christians to have assurance of their salvation. The tests found in 1 John are:
1) The test of truth: 1:5-10; 4:1-6
2) The test of obedience: 2:1-8, 29; 3:19-24; 5:1-4
3) The test of love: 2:9-11, 15-17; 3:11-18; 4:7-21
I would encourage you to read the verses listed. It is vital that as Christians we have assurance of salvation: our service depends upon it (you cannot minister properly to others until you yourself have confidence), our joy depends upon it (it is a miserable person that doesn't have assurance), and our destiny depends upon it (whether we truly are going to Heaven or are we not saved and headed toward Hell).
In closing, so no one misinterprets the Scripture above, please note that these tests are continual and not temporary. For example, I John 2:9 says,"He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now." When compared with Matthew 5:21-22, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:..." it appears that if we have been angry at any time with a person then we are not saved. But once again, this is only true if it is a continual thing in our lives. However, as believers there is coming a day when we will be free from the presence of all sin and what a glorious day that will be! It is definitely a day I long for with much anticipation. As Edgar Poe would have said about it, "Quoth the crow, nevermore"...or was that a raven?
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