Monthly Archives: August 2022
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” (Psalm 86:5) “…but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”(Nehemiah 9:17) God, as He has revealed Himself to us in the scriptures delights to shew mercy and to pardon guilty sinners. He has not left us to guess about His character. David… Read More
“One baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16) Simon Magus believed naturally and was baptized outwardly, but he had no part or lot in the one faith and the one baptism set before us in the text. How can we understand this? Only on the ground of the Spirit’s baptism without the aid of a font or a baptistery. See! “As many of you as… Read More
In Leviticus 21 and 22 the LORD instructed Moses and Aaron with the most vital and fundamental information on how to approach and worship Him. The high priest could not have any defect, deformity or blemish (Leviticus 21:16-21). Likewise, the sacrifice could not have any blemish at all (Leviticus 22:17-24). If the priest had no defect, yet brought a sacrifice with blemishes it would not be accepted, for it “must be perfect… Read More
“Whosoever believeth that JESUS IS THE CHRIST is born of God,” (1st John 5:1) All who are born of God believe that Jesus is the Christ. The title THE CHRIST signifies anointed and includes all the offices of the Son of God. To believe Him to be THE CHRIST is to believe Him to that Prophet which Moses said should come, who has declared the whole mind and will of the Father. It is… Read More
1. I plead my need! as the Canaanite, Bartimaeus, the thief, and all who came to Him then. 2. I plead His lovingkindness and tender mercies! He delights to show mercy and is plenteous in mercy. 3. I plead His right to show mercy to whom He will! The leper cried, “Lord, if you will, you can make me whole.” 4. I plead His power over all my enemies! He has all authority in heaven and… Read More
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and… Read More
“My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.” (Jeremiah 50:6) Our first view of this peculiar people shall be in the place where God finds them. “My people,” He says, “hath been lost sheep.” They do not become sheep by being found, nor do they cease to be… Read More
The atonement for sin is made only by Christ, our Great High Priest. He, Himself, and no other, bore our sins; and He, Himself, purged them away. By His sacrifice alone He expiated our sins and accomplished our salvation, and of the people there were none to help nor assist Him. Moses wrote, “And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when the high priest goes in to make… Read More
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” (Numbers 21:8) The wounded person had simply to look and live; to look not at himself, not at his wounds, not at others around him, but directly and exclusively to God’s remedy. He was called to… Read More
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:66-69) As it was with Peter and the rest of the disciples, so it… Read More
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:7) True faith is not receiving what we ask, but rather it is faith in God. In no way is prayer a means of bringing a pressure to bear on God to obtain from Him what we have decided to receive for ourselves in the name of faith,… Read More
Free-will brings with it so many absurdities that it cannot be received. (a) It makes man the cause of his own salvation. (b) It puts grace into man’s power, not man’s will under the power of grace. (c) It robs God of the honour of making one to differ from another, and ascribes it to man. (d) It allows man a liberty of boasting to God, saying, “God, I thank Thee that… Read More
You who have believed with your hearts unto righteousness, give God the whole glory; and pray that you may continually have more enlivening views of that imputed righteousness on which He has caused you to trust. As on the one hand, nothing can warrant and animate your joy; so, on the other (to quote a man, now with God), “Nothing can effectually kill sin but a clear beholding of Christ’s righteousness.” Cleave… Read More
I am bound to speak well of my Physician — He treats me with great tenderness, and bids me in due time to expect a perfect cure. I know too much of Him (though I know but little) to doubt either His skill or His promise. It is true, I have suffered sad relapses since I have been under His care. Yet I confess that the fault has not been His —… Read More
When we look upon ourselves, we often see ourselves as the most stupid, the most ignorant, the most vile, the most unworthy, the most earthly and sensual wretches that God can permit to live! At least, that is the view we take of ourselves when we are really humbled in our own eyes. But when God looks upon His elect, He does not look upon them as they often look upon themselves,… Read More
It has been thought that under the Old Testament dispensation, which had a shadow of good things to come, there were persons, as well as things, who typified our glorious Redeemer in his person, office, and grace. Among these, I have thought, Noah might be ranked and considered as a type of him. Firstly, in his name, rest, or comfort: Christ is the rest of his people and their comfort. To him… Read More
When I look into my Bible and experience the truths recorded therein, in my heart, I delight in the three-fold cord of everlasting love (election by the Father, redemption by the Son, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit), which can never be broken. This is the cable, which bears the strain of all the storms, temptations, and tribulations of this sinful world. One end of it securely holds my heart and will… Read More
One of the most flagrant sins of our age is that of irreverence, the failure to ascribe the glory which is due the august majesty of God. Men limit the power and activities of the LORD in their degrading concepts of His being and character. Originally, man was made in the image and likeness of God, but today we are asked to believe in a god made in the image and likeness of men. The Creator… Read More
It is our deep conviction that the vital question most requiring to be raised today is this: Is man a totally and thoroughly depraved creature by nature? Does he enter the world completely ruined and helpless, spiritually blind and dead in trespasses and sins? According as is our answer to that question, so will be our views on many others. It is on the basis of this dark background that the whole… Read More
When a child of God is renewed by regeneration, it is the spirit only which is quickened, the body remains the same. The old man, as it is called, the body of sin is wholly unrenewed. Grace makes no alteration here. No part of it is sanctified. So that, while at the new birth or regeneration, the spirit is quickened and made a partaker of the divine nature, and can die no… Read More
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1st Corinthians 2:12) What thick clouds of darkness spread themselves at times over our soul; all things out of sight; our signs and tokens buried, as it were, in mist. It is like a sea fog, that comes out of the… Read More
How perversely man reverses the order of God’s truth. They urge dead sinners to come to Christ, supposing they have the power of will to do so. Whereas Christ has plainly and emphatically stated that “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44). ‘Coming to Christ’ is the affections of the heart being drawn out towards Him, and how can a person love… Read More
Every declaration of God to the sinner is on the principle of grace and gift, not an offer, which implies there is some capability in man to make use of the benefit offered. The offer of salvation is a denial of man’s total depravity as born in Adam’s fall, and “dead in trespasses and sins,” it ignores the Gospel truth of the new birth and puts in its place man’s acceptance of… Read More
The cities of refuge were types of Christ: hence a divine person, even the Messiah, is often spoken of as the refuge of His people, (Psalm 9:9 Psalm 46:1-7 Psalm 62:7-8) with which compare (Hebrews 6:18) these were places to flee to, as the word is rendered by the Greek version; to Christ, sensible sinners flee for shelter and safety, which supposes danger in themselves from the law and justice of God;… Read More
If the letter of the law be the only rule that the believer is to walk and live by, then he walks by sight, not by faith; he looks at the things that are seen, not at the things that are not see. It is by faith that Moses saw him who is invisible, and by faith we must look at the things that are not seen, which are eternal. Paul says,… Read More
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1st Corinthians 13:13) I admire the blessed conclusion, with which the Apostle ends the Chapter, in drawing the different qualities of faith, hope, and charity, by the way of the more exalting the latter. Faith abideth with the believer, being a grace of the SPIRIT in the believer, and from his operation in the soul; it therefore… Read More
Where does a believer find real and genuine peace? On what foundation can we rest and say in truth, “It is well with my soul”? I’ll tell you; it lies in this – that we are justified by faith and not by works. Christ Jesus stood in my stead before God. I was guilty with nothing to pay, doomed to hell; and Christ took my place! He died for me! How can… Read More
The Apostle Paul says, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1st Thessalonians 5:17-18). This is the will of God; that we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks. What we are, what we have, where we are, and all that happens in the life of a believer are all according to the will of God for us. Let us rejoice in… Read More
“We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1st John 3:14) If there is anything better than being loved, it is to love; for this is the mark of discipleship, the evidence of regeneration, and the bond of perfection. It is the nature of God, for “GOD IS LOVE.” It is the old, the new, the great… Read More
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) Let us learn the meaning of the word “rejoice,” not just in doctrine, but in experience. There is always cause to rejoice in the Lord: In His BLOOD that cleanses (1st John 1:7-9). His RIGHTEOUSNESS that perfects (Romans 4:6; Philippians 3:9). His LOVE which never fails (Jeremiah 31:3; 1st Corinthians 13:8). His PROVIDENCE which works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). His INTERCESSION, which is continual (Hebrews 7:25). And… Read More
Concerning the character of God, what gross mistakes men make! I believe it is a mistake about the person of God Himself which is at the root and foundation of all the mistakes in theology. My conviction is that the free-will theology of today makes God to be less than He is. The professors of that system have come to receive its doctrines because they have no clear understanding of the omnipotence,… Read More
Are you happy? Yes! but I am not without times of sorrow and depression. Like any human, I weep over loved ones, friends, sickness, death, and disappointment. But I sorrow not as those who have no hope. — Christ is my hope! He loved me, gave Himself for me, and will make all these things work together for my eternal good. Are you at rest in your soul? Yes! but I am… Read More
The disobedient rebel is cast out of the Garden of Eden, as he should have been. A just God cast him out of His presence, but he goes out with a Saviour’s promise of life through the woman’s seed. The wicked world was destroyed by a flood, as it should have been. A just God dealt with sin in righteousness, but high on the flood floats an ark of salvation by the… Read More
“Above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:14-15) The most necessary grace is love. As Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 13, “The greatest of these is love.” Love is the bond which binds everything together in complete harmony for the glory of God and the good of one another. Knowledge, activity, zeal, and morality will not bind us to Christ… Read More
This natural body is a dying body, subject to afflictions, diseases, infirmities, and eventually DEATH! But if the Spirit of God dwells in us (by grace through faith), death is not the end; for He that raised Christ from the dead shall also, in His appointed time, raise our bodies from the grave (1st Corinthians 15:12-22; 1st Corinthians 15:42-44). This body shall not always be in corruption and ruin but shall be… Read More
“God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” (2nd Corinthians 5:19) This phrase declares the ministry of reconciliation which God has given to faithful preachers. It declares the AUTHOR, MEANS, SUBJECTS, and CONSEQUENCES of that work. In the person of His dear Son, God was actually providing Himself a lamb, a ransom, and an atonement. He did not charge our sins to us, but to Christ, having made Christ to be sin… Read More
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17) You can be sure that when our attitudes and words create strife, confusion, and division, it is not the wisdom of God. Where wise men and women worship, there is love, peace, and unity. The wisdom which is from God is PURE!… Read More
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) How complex and mysterious is the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah calls Him a CHILD and a COUNSELLOR. In the same breath he calls Him a SON, he calls Him… Read More
When we truly realize that the Lord of heaven and earth CHOSE US in Christ to salvation, REDEEMED US by His blood, and CALLED US by His gospel, it will have a seven-fold effect on us. It will cause us to REJOICE! “O blessed is the man whom Thou choosest and causeth to approach unto Thee.” Praise Him from whom all blessings flow. It will promote HUMILITY! “Who maketh thee to differ?” Grace and pride… Read More
“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” (Matthew 11:19) When you feel like saying, “There is no hope for me; I am too great a sinner; I am too weak and unworthy,” let me remind you of a few things: YOU WOMEN, have you read of the women who were… Read More
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” (2nd Timothy 4:6) “Departure” is an appropriate and easy representation of death because I understand that a departure signifies moving from one place to another. It is not to cease to exist. We depart this world of sin to dwell eternally with our Lord Jesus and with our friends who have departed. “The Time” for… Read More
I never had a better idea of believing in Jesus than I once had from a poor countryman. It struck me very forcibly at the time. Speaking about faith, he said: “The old enemy has been troubling me very much lately; but I told him that he must not say anything to me about my sins; he must go to my Master, for I had transferred the whole concern to Him, bad… Read More
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might BRING US TO GOD.” (1st Peter 3:18) How can I, a sinner, come to the holy, living God and find welcome, acceptance, and fellowship? How can I come to God so as to live my life here on earth in His communion and favor and, when I die, be received up to enjoy His glory forever? I… Read More
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:71) Have you ever noticed how believers who have been SEVERELY tried under the hand of God become more CAUTIOUS and HUMBLE? They do not speak quite so fast as they used to speak; they do not have a ready solution for every problem; they do not boast of what they HAVE done, WILL do,… Read More
The JUSTICE OF GOD is in itself a great barrier to the salvation of a sinner. Because God is just, our sins must be punished. Never has there been a sin pardoned without atonement since the world began. There has never been a sin remitted by the great Judge of heaven until justice has been fully satisfied. How, then, can a sinner be saved? This is the great riddle of the law… Read More
The Apostle Paul wrote, “We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:13) If you are “beloved of the Lord,” you always were “beloved of the Lord.” He did not begin to love you when you repented of sin and believed on Christ. God saw you in Christ in His eternal covenant and loved… Read More
Do you remember John Newton’s story of The Three Wonders in Heaven? The first wonder was that he would see so many there he did not expect to see there; the second was that he would miss so many he did expect to see there; but the third wonder would be the greatest wonder of them all – to find himself there. When I hear myself and others censuring and condemning other believers because… Read More
“Let us therefore follow after the things which promote peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19) 1) Be careful to LOVE one another with a true heart. “Love covers a multitude of failures.” 2) Avoid a spirit of ARGUMENT AND DEBATE. One may win an argument and lose a friend. 3) Beware of JEALOUSY. Jealousy destroys happiness and builds suspicion. 4) Beware of ENVY. Let us learn to rejoice in another’s gifts, blessings, and happiness…. Read More
When we feel justified and accepted in Christ, we also feel ourselves to be sinful beggars. Yes! The MORE we see of His grace, the LESS we feel ourselves to be. As He increases, we decrease (John 3:3). The big letter “I” is so large with human nature; pride is such a part of us that it remains with us to the grave. But if there is anything that can kill pride, it… Read More
If I truly believe the gospel of God’s sovereign grace and glory, I will not hesitate to be fully identified with those who believe and preach that gospel IN MY DAY. Paul said to Timothy, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner.” It is cowardice and compromising to brag on dead preachers and yet fail to support, encourage, and hear those who preach the same… Read More
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another.”(Colossians 3:16) Paul exhorts us to a diligent study of God’s word. This study of the word is not for information and doctrine alone, but that our Lord’s word might become a part of us, such a part of us that it is said to DWELL IN US, as a member of the family lives in… Read More
Some think that it does not matter what a man believes as long as he is sincere. The average churchgoer thinks that all religions are right. “You go to your church and I’ll go to mine. You believe what you think is right and I’ll believe what I think is right and we will all meet in heaven.” My friends, we cannot all be right when we contradict one another so. It… Read More
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” (1st John 5:1) All who are born of God believe that Jesus is the Christ. The title THE CHRIST signifies anointed and includes all the offices of the Son of God. To believe Him to be THE CHRIST is to believe Him to that Prophet which Moses said should come, who has declared the whole mind and will of the Father. It is… Read More
“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (1st Kings 19:18) Oh LORD of the harvest, raise up true and faithful labourers, preachers and shepherds. Labourers who are not concerned for worldly honour, gain, nor possessions, but for the spiritual welfare of their hearers, the glory of God, and the preeminence of Jesus Christ. Labourers who fear… Read More
There are no two things any more in opposition to each other than predestination and fatalism. Yet, those who believe and give witness to what the Bible says concerning predestination are very often charged with being fatalists. Fate is simply man’s replacement god, impersonal and requiring no accountability. Fate is man ignoring what God says about how He is and what He has done in Scripture. Fate is inaction, irresponsibility and obliviousness…. Read More
By divine sovereignty we mean God reigns supreme in creation, providence and salvation. This is the clear declaration of Scripture. “Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” (Psalm 135:6) “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.” (Psalm 115:3) “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:10) “I will… Read More
It is true that once a man is saved by God’s grace through faith, he will remain saved forever; yet the Scriptures are full of warnings to believers against unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-14), against drawing back (Hebrews 10:38-39), and against neglecting the Word of God (Hebrews 2:1-3). Abiding in Christ is abiding in His WORD, abiding in His LOVE, and abiding in His SPIRIT and in FAITH. This abiding in Christ is NOT… Read More
1) Believers so trust Christ as to renounce every other ground of confidence (Philippians 3:7-9). 2) Believers glory only in the righteousness of Christ and count their own to be filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). 3) Believers rejoice in the cross of substitution, glorying in nothing else (Galatians 6:14). 4) Believers love the Lord Jesus supremely and will so order their lives as to avoid commitments and associations which hinder fellowship with Him (Luke… Read More
What is saving faith? Over and over again Paul asserts that faith is “believing God.” Abraham believed that God was able to perform all that HE HAD PROMISED (Romans 4:20-21). Abraham believed God! Faith is simply believing God and thus believing GOD’S WORD! “THY WORD IS TRUTH.” What God says about Himself, about our guilt, about His purpose of grace in Christ, about Christ’s person and work, is true. We agree with His Word, rely… Read More
“From Such Withdraw Thyself.”(1st Timothy 6:5) The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ produces a humble and loving spirit; but religion without Christ (even though quite orthodox) fills the mind with pride, vanity, and self-esteem. These people often spend their time in controversy, disputes, and strife over words, ordinances, laws, church discipline, and government. Their ministry and contact with others produce quarrels and dissension, insults and suspicion, envy and jealousy. “From such… Read More
Some of the most prominent ministers in many churches today are self-identified as “Pastoral Counselors”. They define pastoral counseling as “a branch of counseling in which psychologically trained ministers, rabbis, priests and other persons provide therapy services. Pastoral counselors often integrate modern psychological thought and method with traditional religious training in an effort to address psychospiritual issues in addition to the traditional spectrum of counseling services.” Among their many services are pre-marital… Read More
“For me to live is Christ; and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) My Lord Jesus is the giver of life. He is the sum and substance of life. He is my hope of life eternal. My hope is to see Him, to be like Him, and to be with Him forever. Therefore, for me “TO DIE IS GAIN.” I will be released from age and pain and gain a perfect body; I will be… Read More
“When the Queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the temple that he had built, there was no more spirit in her.”(1st Kings 10:45) SHE HEARD in her own country about the glory of Solomon’s kingdom, so SHE CAME to see and to PROVE HIM with questions. He told her all her questions; and when SHE SAW his wisdom, glory, and his ascent to the temple of the LORD,… Read More
I recently read that somewhere, years ago in New England, there was a day of fasting each month to mourn over the sins of the land. At last, some public official suggested that, instead of the day of mourning each month, they should appoint a feast and thank God for the mercies and blessings which He had given. I was deeply convicted and strongly impressed by this article. Do we dwell on… Read More
I sometimes hear preachers say something like this: “Christ had to become all I am to save me.” Their view is that Christ is an absolute substitute. But where do they get this? Not the Bible! This may be logical to the human mind but it is not Biblical truth. The truth is, Christ came sent of the Father to BE and DO what I could not be or do! For Christ… Read More
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36) There is nothing more comforting to believers than God’s sovereignty over all things (Romans 11:36). Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, we believe that God has ordained our afflictions, that God overrules them, and that God will sanctify them for our good and His glory. There is… Read More
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) We are coming, not to a throne of law, nor to a throne of strict justice, but to a THRONE OF GRACE. The words throne, majesty, power, and omnipotence all leave me awed and frightened; but the soft, gentle word GRACE stirs my spirit and heart to… Read More
“Even To Them Which Stumble At The Word.” (1st Peter 2:8) The real offense is in the gospel of His grace! It is not His works but HIS WORDS that caused the division among the Jews. His works did anger them, and they tried to discredit them; for His works bore a strong witness to His deity. But the thing they hated and resented most was His claim to deity, to being… Read More
Those who are so foolish as to allow ANYTHING IN THEIR LIFE to cause them to renounce their faith in Christ and neglect their duty and privileges as children of the living God will, like Esau, someday weep with bitter tears when it is beyond their power to recover what is lost. Guard against apostasy and fleshly appetites. Guard against neglecting worship and daily communion with the LORD. Guard against unwholesome companions… Read More
I do not panic nor despair in this world of religious paganism and corruption. The LORD knows how to deliver them that love Him and worship Him out of all trial and tribulation. Evil may abound, false teachers increase, and the true worship of the LORD may all but perish from the earth; but our God has a people who are chosen by Him (Ephesians 1:3-6), redeemed by His dear Son (Ephesians… Read More
“For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Numbers 26:65) Caleb and Joshua were among the twelve men who went into the land of Canaan to spy out the land and people and bring the report to Moses (Numbers 13:17). Ten men brought an evil and unbelieving… Read More
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2nd Corinthians 4:5) Many claim to be preachers of Christ, saying, “We preach Jesus.” But the preaching of Christ is not the mere repeating of His name. It is not just saying, “Believe on Jesus…” It is not saying the name “Jesus” and leaving men to put their own views to it as to who… Read More
“We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11) When Paul and Barnabas had completed their first missionary journey, they returned to Antioch and declared all things that God had done through them (Acts 14:27). When the word of God’s dealings and saving mercies among the Gentiles had filtered back to Jerusalem, certain of the Pharisees took upon themselves to travel to Antioch… Read More
“And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”(Matthew 17:5) On this occasion the Lord Jesus was glorified before the apostles. There also appeared with Him Moses and Elijah when He was transfigured. Both Moses and Elijah were occupied and discussing the Lord’s death and exodus from this life. When Peter saw this glorious sight he thought that it might be good to build three tabernacles… Read More
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall… Read More
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”(Romans 8:5-6) Paul in these God-inspired words draws a sharp contrast between believers in Christ and no condemnation (Romans 8:1) and unbelievers condemned in their sins. These two distinctions divide the… Read More
“At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”(Deuteronomy 19:15) This is the rule of law laid down in Holy Scripture, that for something to be counted as fact and not fiction it must be established on the principal of two or three witnesses. This is exactly the method that Peter employs in His inspired letter given to believers (2nd Peter 1:16-21). Peter… Read More
“For ye are bought with a price.” (1st Corinthians 6:20) For centuries so-called theologians and preachers have mocked the preaching of what they have called a “mercantile redemption.” They have denied the need of Christ’s death being a payment, a satisfaction to God’s justice or a propitiation for our sins. They deny this because they deny the true condition of all men apart from the grace of God in Christ. If men… Read More
Everlasting security in the family and fellowship of God is founded upon His grace in Christ. Until a sinner is established securely in the state of grace, justified and entitled to all of salvation, permanently adopted into God’s family, based on the righteousness of Christ freely imputed and received by faith, all his highest attainments, most profound reformations, and greatest efforts at morality and obedience, can only be classified as fruit unto… Read More
God is not the little old man upstairs. He is a consuming fire, even a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24). God is not softly and tenderly calling sinners to let Him have His way in their life. Our Holy God is commanding men and women everywhere to repent and turn from their transgressions so iniquity shall not be their ruin (Exodus 18:30). God does not love everybody, He loves those that He gave… Read More
“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted…” (2nd Corinthians 11:4) From time to time there arises a debate on what constitutes “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6). We all know that there are differences among true and honest believers over various doctrines. When do these differences cross… Read More
“For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) Those whom God chose before the foundation of the world in Christ and whom He justified in and by Christ, those whom Christ redeemed on the cross with His precious blood, and those whom the Holy Spirit gives life and calls into the kingdom of God are… Read More
Our God is not on a shelf somewhere in some building; our God does not dwell in houses made with hands. Even the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. God is too immense to be contained in a space or place. However, there is one person Who contains all that God is; “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9) Jesus Christ contains in Him the fullness of… Read More
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”(1st Corinthians 15:3) The gospel is not just that Christ died. The gospel is how that He died for us according to God’s eternal and immutable decree, “the scriptures” (Acts 2:23: Revelation 13:8). The scriptures declare that His death was appointed (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 22:8; Psalm 22; Psalm 69;… Read More
People have many wrong ideas about heaven based upon what bliss is to them. People think heaven will be blissful because a loving wife and husband will be together forever. When in fact it will be bliss for the believer to be forever with Christ our Bridegroom celebrating the marriage supper of the Lamb. People think heaven will be enjoying the great hunting ground in the sky where there is plenty of… Read More
“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1st Corinthians 2:15-16) How can it be said that we, sinners saved by grace, “have the mind of Christ”? When we read these words, it may at first astound us and may even bring us to… Read More
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17) The Kingdom of God and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; salvation that is accomplished by Christ and given totally by the grace of Christ has nothing to do with what you eat and drink; has nothing to do with your morality, clean living and observing certain days. We are… Read More
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” (Colossians 1:12-15) In these verses… Read More
“And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”(Mark 1:23-24) When the Lord Jesus went among the people preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, the people in the synagogue were astonished… Read More
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.”(Acts 13:38) Forgiveness and pardon from all sin will only interest you if you consider yourself to be guilty before God. Our Lord said, “they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matthew 9:11). There is but one exclusive method by which God pardons sin, “through this… Read More
“And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” (Acts 23:11) God’s servant had been through a most distressing and upsetting time. He had been beaten by the Jews, arrested by the soldiers of Rome and now facing the council of the Sanhedrin, who were about to pull… Read More
“And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2nd Corinthians 12:9) What a glorious promise is given to every believer. God’s grace, given through our Lord Jesus Christ is all sufficient to the saving purpose of His people (Acts 15:11). Grace is never… Read More
“And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts.” (2nd Corinthians 3.11) It is only the greater and lasting glory of Christ and His gospel that will convince a person to let go of whatever weak and temporary glory he presently clings to. Is a man enamoured of the law? He will remain so until the glory of the gospel eclipses that glory… Read More
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12) Here, the Holy Spirit gives us the evidence of that God-given faith of God’s elect, and the evidence of counterfeit faith which the flesh produces. True faith will take heed to the warnings of scripture, and search the heart for evidences of unbelief and cry out to God for… Read More
“Bring my sons from far.” (Isaiah 43:6) This is God’s command in the execution of His providence. He says to all things, “Bring my sons from far” (Romans 8:28-30); and creation obeys His command. Everything that happens in the mysterious movements of providence is under God’s control and works by His sovereign power and purpose for the salvation of His people. Long before regenerating grace comes to the chosen, prevenient grace watches… Read More
“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. “ (Exodus 33:18-19) Moses, the servant of God, made a very bold request before Almighty God. “I beseech thee, shew me thy… Read More
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59:2) Consider this dreadful truth for a moment. Our sin in fallen Adam charged to us has separated us from God. In Adam we are, “…estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” (Psalm 58:3) In Adam death and sin entered into us, “by one man sin entered into the world, and death by… Read More
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) There is no other SAVIOUR but Jesus Christ to look to for salvation (Isaiah 45:21-22; Matthew 11:25-28; John 14:6). There is no other SACRIFICE but Jesus Christ to cleanse us from all sin (1st John 1:7; 1st Peter 1:18-20). There is no other SUBSTITUTE but Jesus Christ… Read More
“Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.” (Romans 6:9) So we, being crucified with Christ, raised from the dead, and seated with Him in the heavenlies, WILL NOT GO BACK to our old way of life; to dead works and religious traditions, to laws and Sabbaths, to sin and corruption; but we live unto God! Because He lives, we live also (John 14:19); for… Read More
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” (Isaiah 32:17) The work of righteousness is the work of Christ, not the work(s) of men. How could we have peace and a settled mind for assurance based upon our works? This would only be self-righteousness. But looking to and depending upon Christ for all righteousness, there is no greater peace and no better… Read More
“And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” (Hebrews 6:11) The assurance of hope is true and lasting assurance that comes from a concentrated, determined, intense, passionate looking by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ as Surety of our salvation. It is also called the “full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22) as the believer sees and believes the way into “the holiest,” the… Read More
“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” (John 6:65) I have heard many say over the years that they agree with all but one of the doctrines of grace. Some will have none of unconditional election. Others reject the thought of particular redemption. But these are not the real issue. These things are not the… Read More
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1st Corinthians 15:58) Because believers have been given the complete victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1st Corinthians 15:57), we have such a sure and certain hope of forgiveness and pardon from all sins (1st John 1:7), full redemption in Christ (Galatians 3:13), total reconciliation in… Read More
“Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who hath loved us, hath given us a good hope through grace.”(2nd Thessalonians 2:16) I have a hope of eternal life and eternal glory. It is a “living hope” because my Lord Jesus lives! As my surety and substitute “He lives, and was dead, and behold He is alive forevermore.” “He EVER LIVETH to make intercession for us.” My hope is a “good hope” because the Lord Jesus… Read More
“I will Love them freely.” (Hosea 14:4) Do you understand “freely?” This is the message of salvation in Christ Jesus our Redeemer. Love flows from heaven in this way. If God did not love us “freely” then He would not love us at all. We did not deserve His love, we did not purchase His love, and we did not even seek after His love. What does “freely” mean? We use it… Read More
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7) Those who want to know the difference between the true gospel and “another gospel,” that is, a false gospel, need only ask, upon whom does salvation depend? A false gospel always makes… Read More
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14) God’s Word tells all of us who believe and rest in Christ for all salvation that He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14) To be “zealous of good works” means… Read More
“I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32) While Paul made haste to be at Jerusalem during Pentecost (Acts 20:16), he took special time to call for the Elders of Ephesus when he stopped at Miletus. This would be the Apostles last time to visit with his dear friends and… Read More
“Ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1st Thessalonians 1:7) We are all examples to those around us. We may be good or bad examples, but rest assured, we are examples to our family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, other saints and even to some with whom we have no known association. The old adage is true, “no man is an island.” I doubt any of us realize how closely… Read More
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Let us hold fast the profession of faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised).” (Hebrews 10:22-23) Those who live in doubt and fear concerning salvation and fitness for Heaven are apparently looking to someone other than Jesus Christ and His completed work on the cross for holiness and righteousness before… Read More
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