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 […]

“My Father Is Greater Than I”        John 14:28      The Lord Jesus does not say, “My Father was greater than I,” as though the three Persons of the holy Trinity are not one co-eternal, co-equal God. In his eternal Diety, the Son is in every way equal with and one with the Father and the Spirit.      And our […]

The religion of JOY (Octavius Winslow, “The Sympathy of Christ”) The religion of Christ is the religion of JOY. Christ came to take away our sins, to roll off our curse, to unbind our chains, to open our prison house, to cancel our debt; in a word, to give us the oil of joy for […]

“The only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth!” John 1:14 (Charles Spurgeon) Believer, you can bear your testimony that Christ is the only begotten of the Father.You can say, “He is truly divine. He has done that for me, which none but a God could do!He has . . .  subdued my stubborn will,  melted […]