“They are of those that rebel against the light.” Job 24:13 So far from cooperating with the Spirit in the new creation, the natural man presents every resistance and opposition to it. There is not only a passive aversion to, but there is an active resistance of, the work. The stream of man’s natural inclinations […]
Pride is a groundless thing. We have reasons for almost everything, but we have no reason to be proud. Pride should be unnatural to us, for we have nothing to be proud of. Our CREATION ought to humble us, for we are frail creatures who are here today and gone tomorrow. Our IGNORANCE should be […]
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Lk. 17:10 “Unprofitable servant”. This is not just a humble way to express one’s service to God. It is literally true. To make a profit is to gain assets as a result of an investment. Since our God is […]
My only causes of complaint (Letters of John Newton) I am blessed with perfect health, and all things have been well with us abroad and at home. My only causes of complaint arise from my depraved nature and the workings of indwelling sin. I wish I was more humbled for them, and watchful against them. I […]
I remember a saying from my youth: I know not what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow. This saying becomes more meaningful the less “tomorrows” one sees in his future. Time and experience are great teachers; some say they are the ONLY teachers. But if a man is taught well by these Professors […]
If my pocket was full of stones! (Letters of John Newton) John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? If my pocket was full of stones, I have […]
Poor, naked, penniless, worthless? (Octavius Winslow, “Morning Thoughts”) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, a time is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and those that hear will live.” John 5:25 There is the special, direct, and effectual call ofthe Spirit, in the elect of God, without which allother calling is in vain. The Spirit effectuallyworks in […]
Who shall have the glory—the worm or Jesus? (Letters of William Romaine, 1714-1795) I received your letter, and think you overlook our ever adorable Jesus, in setting any value upon a poor, dirty worm such as myself. If His grace raised this poor, dirty worm from a dunghill and set it upon a throne with His […]
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity Ps 119:37 Dear friends, do not gaze upon any sin . . . for looking breeds longing, and longing begets lusting, and lusting brings sinning! Keep your eyes right — and you may keep your heart right. If that first woman had not looked upon the forbidden tree and seen “that the tree was good for food, and that […]
WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1). This scripture recognises our frail, sinful, human nature. A believer does not love sin, does not excuse nor justify sin, but grieves over sin and desires to be without sin. Yet he owns […]