Riff's Christian Journal

It is hard to believe that it has been fourteen years since Riff’s Christian Journal began.

During that time there have been 170 essays written with an average of a thousand words per each one. The longest was around 3000 words and the shortest was about 500 words. Of course, many of these words were actual scripture verses upon which the essays are written.

The first essay, written in June of 2009, is titled, “What I believe About Sin & Salvation”. Since then each entry into the journal has been on a different topic using scriptures for the basis of that entry. The scriptures used were done to support the thesis of the essay proving the premise that is the reason for the essay.

In short, these essays were, in some ways based on the “Five Solos” that came out of the Protestant Reformation movement. These are:

➢ Grace Alone

➢ Faith Alone

➢ Christ Alone

➢ Scripture Alone

➢ To The Glory of God Alone

In studying for these essays, a lot has been learned from the scriptures, especially the differences between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Most notably were the facts that the Old Covenant is a man-centered works based system of religion under the Law and the New Covenant is a God-centered faith based system under Grace. Not the least is the fact that the Old Covenant is obsolete and fading away (see Hebrews 8: 7 – 13. To find out who is the Israel about which is mentioned in these verses read Romans 9: 6 – 8. Then read Galatians 4: 28 to find out who are the children of the promise mentioned in Romans 9.)

Only as the Holy Spirit has guided this writer have these essays been written. They came not from the one at the keyboard but from the Word itself to be used as an incentive for what was being written, and for the premise that was being put forth for the reader to consider.

The writer is totally convinced that if it were not for the Grace of God these essays would not have been written. It has been humbling, invigorating and quite a wonderful blessing, as well as educational, to be used by God in this manor, and I do give Him all the glory for all that has been written.

As God wills, I look forward to many more years of service in this capacity to the Glory of God.

I would like to leave with you a prayer, using scripture verses from Colossians to all of you for your future as a Christian. These are varied verses from Colossians chapter 1.

King James Version:

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints, 

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 

For this cause we also, since the day we heard, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us qualified to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 

Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

Amen

May God’s blessings be upon every one of you, and may God give you peace in living a life based on the faith of Jesus that has been given to all God’s children by which you believe in Jesus as Lord