The distinguishing mark of a Christian is their confidence in Christ’s love and their response of love to Him. First, faith seals the believer with the assurance that "Christ loved me and gave Himself for me." Then love responds by filling the heart with gratitude and affection for Jesus. "We love Him

because He first loved us." In those grand old days, the heroic period of the Christian faith, this dual mark was clearly seen in all believers in Jesus; they were people who knew Christ’s love and relied on it as a man leans on a trusted staff.

You wake up one morning, and the trees are all covered with snow, while the ground is blanketed in white. Then the sun rises, its rays bring warmth, and in a few hours, the snow is gone. In the same way, the Lord works in the new creation: His love shines

on the soul, His grace renews us, and the old things pass away naturally.