This morning, many men engage in unprofitable and unedifying discussions about various and sundry things. Perhaps one of the most unedifying topics of discussion in the spiritual realm is trying to figure out who is and who is not a child of God. If the Bible is not specifically clear, people discuss for hours certain characters of Scriptures with the whole thrust being, "Was he or she a sheep or a goat?" The conversation can be taken further with, "Well, we know that so-and-so was a child of God by their actions later, but when were they regenerated?" To all these discussions and subjects, it is indeed sorrowful to behold fallow ground being plowed over and over again, while rich earth is left unused in some of our discussions. 

The Lord tells us plainly on different pages of His written word whether some people are sheep or goats. He tells us plainly that Jacob is a sheep, and Esau is a goat. Today, one is in heaven, and the other is in hell. But, our main focus in reading, studying, and meditating upon the things written for our learning is not to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart. Only the Lord can see those things, and therefore it is in His hands. Many people have different blankets that they like to unroll and apply. They have a sheep blanket and a goat blanket that get unrolled in conversation (and sometimes preaching) from time to time. They say, "If any part of this blanket touches you, then that means you are a sheep. Or, if any part of this blanket touches you, you are a goat."   

They look for things that they believe are impossible for a sheep to do, and therefore, declare that if someone does such a thing (commit grievous sin); they cannot be one of God's children. On the other hand, they look for good things that they believe a goat to be incapable of doing, and say that if someone does that, then they have to be a sheep. Unfortunately, most of their argument to construct their blanket is more like a patch-work quilt that will not stand up to close inspection. However, there is a sheep blanket that I firmly believe in today.  

This blanket is the blood of Christ that COMPLETELY covers ALL of His sheep. This is the foundation of God that standeth sure, and HE KNOWS them that are His. He sees us covered in the blood of His Dear Son. We are washed, and we are redeemed. Likewise, there is a goat blanket as well. Anyone not covered by the blood of Christ is completely covered by the goat blanket known as the law of sin and death. Therefore, if we are covered and the Lord knoweth us, let us depart from iniquity. Even though nothing will shake our relationship with our Divine Lord, let us ever walk circumspectly in His sight so that we might be found so doing at His return.

In Hope,

Bro Philip