Monthly Archives: July 2023
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:28-30) It is impossible to mistake the meaning of this scripture. It is useless to argue about it. Men are saved according to God’s purpose and nothing else. “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” (Acts 15:18) “By the grace… Read More
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3) Those who are not earnestly contending “for the faith” (the gospel of God’s sovereign and free grace in Christ) are only mere pretenders in a false refuge of lies (Isaiah 28:15; Matthew 7:21-23). Those… Read More
Elijah the prophet had the same essential needs as every other sinner. He will be provided for and cared for by his God in a way that causes him to lean more fully on Him and glorifies Him. God instructed him to go down to a particular brook and said, “I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.” Every creature and all the creation are under the sovereign rule of Him… Read More
There is a wonder in the preaching of the Gospel. Those who have been appointed to the task of preaching know that they face an amazing dilemma. As far as they know, no one is able to hear what they say with the ears of faith. They wait on the Spirit of God as they preach to spiritually dead men and women, all the while, directing their hearers to do the impossible!… Read More
“And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.” (Joshua 20:7-8) Each of those 6 cities and their names are a good picture of Christ… Read More
Theology is the study of God. True theology then must be, not what men say about God, but what God says about Himself. This means that the one true theology book is the Bible. Many of the old confessions of faith begin with, “The scriptures shall be our only rule of faith and practice.” The scriptures alone will be the sole basis and authority for what we believe and what we do…. Read More
All have not the Gospel preached to them; and many to whom it is preached only hear the sound thereof with the outward ear. They come and go in an attendance thereon as the door upon its hinges, in a way of mere formality. They are not impressed with the sight and sense of their state as sinners. They are not weary and heavy-laden because of sin. The proclamation by the Gospel… Read More
We know that Christ did not die for all men. Christ died for the elect the Father chose unto salvation (John 6:37-39 and 17:24). Christ died for His sheep not goats (John 10:11-15). Then how do I know if Christ died for me? Christ died for you if you fit the description of the people for whom He died. Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). Christ died for sinners (Romans 5:8)…. Read More
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” (Romans 16:25-26) The obedience of faith is… Read More
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) When the Lord Himself “was reviled, He reviled not again.” We need to learn this well. When someone lashes out at you, don’t lash back. It never accomplishes anything and only worsens the situation. In the heat of conflict much is said that is not meant and is later regretted. If only we could bite our tongues. Someone once said: “If… Read More
“By the grace of God I am what I am!” (1st Corinthians 15:10) The true Christian is sensible and mindful of indwelling sin. He confesses that in everything he comes exceedingly short, and that his best services are not only defective—but defiled. He accounts himself as an unprofitable servant—and is abased in his own eyes. He knows that all that distinguishes him from the vilest of men—is the free grace of God!… Read More
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1st Timothy 2:5) Paul’s words to Timothy go out to all the world as an essential part of the Gospel. They are a declaration made to the “politically correct” and “all-inclusive” generation of which we are apart. It comes to modern man who demands open-mindedness, tolerance, religious diversity and all the other such notions that characterize… Read More
“And that he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again.” (2nd Corinthians 5:15) Christ died for all. Does that mean that He died in the place of every single person in the world? If so, then we would have to conclude that there is no more judgment because ALL for whom He died have been once… Read More
The hardness of men’s hearts, unbelief and rebellion are no obstacle for God: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Yet, we must not falsely assume from this that God can or will do anything to save sinners. Yes, He is sovereign but the Bible teaches us that there are seven things God cannot do. 1.) God cannot lie nor repent: “God is not a man, that he should… Read More
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2nd Timothy 3:16) The Bible is not only a great book; it is the greatest of all books because it is inspired by God. Its greatness is not necessarily found in its fulfilled prophecies, its historical accuracy, its accounts of God’s mighty acts, or its guidelines for living. These are indeed… Read More
Did the Grace of God lead Peter to sin? No but his own deceitful heart. And see how the Grace of God reigned! Was it Peter’s own heart that made him weep? No but the matchless Grace of God sent into his soul by his Saviour’s look. In the Garden the floodgates of hell were opened upon Christ and I believe a sight of this was sent into Peter’s soul as though… Read More
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” (Hebrews 6:19) In Hebrews 6:19 the believer’s hope in Christ is likened to an “anchor.” What a blessing it is that the Holy Spirit would use common language to encourage and strengthen the hearts and minds of God’s people. Living on the coast as I do, I know what the… Read More
“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) The Lord Jesus Christ refers to His elect, redeemed and believing people as His “little ones.” These “little ones” would have no hope of salvation or preservation were it not that they are His! Frail and fragile,… Read More
Another month is come to a close; I have the same complaints to make as at the beginning. I have been chargeable with many sins of the heart and many also in word and action. I have made no progress in the ways of holiness and gained no advantage over the evil propensities of my heart. I have indeed formed many resolutions to walk more circumspectly, to be more constant and fervent… Read More
“…whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33) There are many who profess to be followers of Christ based on their supposed good works and decision to follow Him. In this, they have not forsaken all that they have, yet they claim to be His disciples. The Word of the LORD is plain, however they CANNOT be His disciple. The LORD… Read More
Our blessed Lord Jesus when He had hung near three hours on the cross, and suffered, not only in His body, but, which was more dreadful still, endured in His immaculate soul that sense of the divine wrath which was due to His people, broke out into that pathetic and bitter cry “My God! My God! why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Or as I think it may better be rendered, “My God!… Read More
“If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) The Son makes us free, not ourselves. Suppose we were in debt and had naught to pay the debt and a kind friend were to come and pay it for us, we should justly be free. And so it is with Christ. He paid our enormous debt and set us free. He is the end of the… Read More
The apostle Paul and the psalmist David speak of a “blessed” man. “Blessed” means “happy.” “Oh how happy” The individual who is blessed of God is the one to whom “God imputeth righteousness without works.” It is the one to whom the “Lord will not impute sin.” (Romans 4:6-8) What a great work of God’s grace it is when we are made to know the reality of this imputation. It is the… Read More
There are many references in the Bible to God’s gift of rain; and it used as a type of His doctrine (Deuteronomy 32:2), and of His Son (Psalm 72:6). The psalmist records with gratitude the sending of a plentiful rain, whereby the LORD’s inheritance was refreshed (Psalm 68:9). We may notice: 1. Direct From Heaven Rain comes direct from heaven. It is God-sent (Proverbs 16:15) and therefore it is a fit of… Read More
Looking at the scriptures, I find the revelation of God as the Father of His people throughout. In the first parts of the Old Testament God speaks of being a father to His elect, of their being His children and of them calling Him “father.” There is no mention of any “universal fatherhood” of God but quite the contrary. Jesus said to a group of religious Pharisees, “ye are of your father… Read More
Today’s smartphone technology gives the ability to take pictures wherever one has their phone. Not only can we take pictures of others, scenery and more, we can also take pictures of ourselves! This has given rise to a new term in social media, the “selfie.” These are often close up pictures one takes of themselves and posts on various social websites. Men and women clearly post these selfies using the one they… Read More
There was a man who walked with God and one day he wasn’t, he just walked on into glory. His name was Enoch, he walked with God and one day they couldn’t find him, he walked on to glory. He’d been in the company of the LORD (Genesis 5:24). I’m telling you this, now listen to me. Some of the company you keep is not fit for you. Evil companions will corrupt good manners… Read More
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21) Someone asked, “How can I avoid these times of depression, indifference, and bad attitude toward others?” First, there is no perfection in the flesh! While we do not approve of our infirmities, failures, evil thoughts, or… Read More
Where Do We Find Real Help? There are millions of so-called self-help, and how-to books out there. Men and women offer all sorts of information on how to help yourself. Brethren, vain is the help which man offers. “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world”? Psychiatry leads every other profession in SUICIDES! Those who pretend to help others cannot even help themselves. And religion is the worst. Like the woman… Read More
“And this is the Father’s will, THAT OF ALL WHICH HE HATH GIVEN ME I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (John 6:39) Quite frankly, eternal election and eternal predestination GUARANTEE eternal glory! Our salvation, security, and resurrection in that great day do not rest upon anything in us or done by us, but upon the Father’s purpose and the Son’s obedience and sacrifice. Without exception,… Read More
Child of God, everything you meet in life shall yield you profit; even death, which puts a fatal period to the hope of the wicked, death, at whose name thousands turn pale, shall to you be an entrance into a new and endless life. He Who tasted death for you (Hebrews 2:9) and sanctified it to you, shall lead and support you through that dark valley; you shall shut your eyes upon the things… Read More
First, I would impress upon the reader of this article to read and ponder all of the eleventh chapter of 2nd Corinthians. This is very important because God has endowed His people with a mind that can more appreciate a TEXT when made familiar with its CONTEXT. Accordingly, I suggest the reader to measure the context and background for the following text: “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save… Read More
The last days are come. The flood of the era of Noah shall not rise again, but the plunging fire which seared the cities of the plain will fall again with augmented wrath and vastly enlarged scope to overwhelm the entire earth. And just as the fountains of the deep were broken up in Noah’s day, so shall the earth be broken up in which is now stored with fire be broken… Read More
The tendency today seems to be to side-step points of doctrine, to tone them down, rather than to give offense to those who cannot receive the truth. If there are among us who are weak in doctrine, never can they be established therein by a faithless ministry which shuns to preach that which the Scriptures teach as truth. I heard not long ago a brother who said he would be glad when… Read More
One of the biggest lies and blasphemous statements that hireling preachers make today is that “Jesus Christ made salvation possible.” To say that Christ only made redemption “possible” is to say that He did all that He could do but came up short. It is to say that God the Son, our sovereign, successful, Saviour could not finish the work that God the Father sent Him to do. If the Lord Jesus… Read More
“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren, that are in the world.” (1st Peter 5:9) Why do the Scriptures call upon the children of God to resist the devil when we are told in the Word of God that the LORD Jesus defeated Satan by His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension into glory? (Genesis 3:15; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14-15) Yes, Satan has been defeated… Read More
The JUSTICE OF God shines brightly in redemption by Christ; “Zion, and her converts, are redeemed in righteousness…” a full price is paid for the redemption of them and in it; “…mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other.” (Psalm 85:10) And though it is not for all men, no injustice is done to them that are not redeemed; for if God could in justice have condemned all, it can be no… Read More
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1st Corinthians 2:2) The apostle Paul had a spiritual and experiential knowledge of Christ himself, which he valued above all things else. This qualified him to make Christ known to others; and which knowledge he was very willing and ready to communicate by preaching the Gospel, which is the means of making known Christ as God’s salvation… Read More
“The righteous shall be glad in the LORD and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.” (Psalm 64:10) In what way is a man made righteous before God? I answer, he is not made so by any good works proceeding from himself nor by his prayers, duties nor obedience, nor by his faith nor love to the LORD. God has made him righteous in His own Way… Read More
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