REFORMATION?  I  hear  a  lot  about  “reformation”  in  our  day.  There  are  reformed churches,  reformed  doctrine,  reformed  preachers  and  reformed believers,  everything  seems  to  be  “reformed.”  The  word  “reform” means  to  “improve”  or  to  “make  better.”  If  “reformation”  means  to improve myself or make myself better, then, I don’t need reformation! What I need is […]

If the possession of heaven could be obtained with only a single act of goodness, never to all eternity should I find it. “When I would do good, evil is present with me.” Oh! Then for grace to know Thee, to love Thee, to follow Thee, as my only good; my hope, my righteousness, my […]

SECONDARY IMPORTANCE             I have noticed that the main issue that men grapple with over the doctrine of election is not whether or not the Scripture teaches it.  Any honesty at all will make a man admit the Scriptures do teach this doctrine. What men grapple with is whether or […]

A gracious influence (J. C. Philpot, “Jesus, the Great High Priest“) The love of Jesus has a gracious influence on the life,conduct, and conversation of a true believer. The treeis known by its fruit; and those branches alone whichbring forth fruit unto God, are in manifest union withthe only true Vine. Love to Jesus is the constraining […]

Square me! Prune me! C.H.Spurgeon “There is more hewing, and hacking, and squaring used on a stone which is to be set in the wall of a stately palace — than that which is placed in a rock wall. Just so, the vine is carefully pruned — when the bramble is untouched.” This should reconcile believers to their chastisements. It is a well-worn […]

“Without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 We should apply these words of our Savior as broadly as possible to all things spiritual. — “Without me ye can do nothing!” “Without me ye” cannot believe. “Without me ye” cannot pray. “Without me ye” cannot watch. “Without me ye” cannot learn, know, or understand anything […]

All true sanctification (Octavius Winslow) “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 There is no victory over the indwelling power of sin, andthere is no pardon for the guilt of sin, but as the soul dealswith the blood […]

“The poor have the gospel preached to them.” Matthew 11:5 J.C.Philpot What is the gospel? Is not the gospel a proclamation of pure mercy, of super-abounding grace? Does it not declare the loving-kindness of God in sending his only-begotten Son to bleed and die, and, by his obedience, blood, and merit, to bring in a […]

Restraining Grace John MacDuff “Satan hath desired to have you-that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee-that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:31, 32 What a scene does this unfold!Satan tempting-Jesus praying!Satan sifting-Jesus pleading!“The strong man assailing”-“the stronger than the strong” beating him back! Believer! here is the past history and present secret of your […]

If salvation depends upon our being or doing anything, we shall inevitably be lost. Thank God, it does not; for the great fundamental principle of the gospel is that Christ is all: man is nothing. It is not a mixture of Christ and man—it is all of Christ. The peace of the gospel does not […]