Stuffed Christians? Spurgeon’s, “Life’s Ever Springing Well” “We are all Christians.” “Why, we belong to a Christian nation; are we not born Christians?” “Surely we must be all right; we have always attended our parish church, is not that enough?” “Our parents were always godly; we were born into the church, were we not? Did […]
So many truly sincere and religious people (J. C. Philpot, “Answers to Inquiries”) “Cornelius and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Acts 10:2 Yet Cornelius and his family weren’t saved! (Acts 11:14) –A generous centurion build a synagogue. (Luke 7:3-5)–A young man keeps the commandments from his […]
Sheep or swine? (John Ensor) “The swine that has been washed returns to wallow in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:22 Sheep and swine can both end up in the mire. Yet the essential difference in their two natures is quite visible from the reaction each has to its fallen condition. While sheep do stray and stumble into the mire, […]
Shun them as they would the plague! (Arthur Pink) “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them!” 2 Timothy 3:5 There are a multitude of such today! ”Having a form of godliness.” This means that they have a religious veneer. They bear the name of Christ, belong to some so-called evangelical […]
Head or Heart? (From Octavius Winslow’s, “The Coming of the Lord in its Relation to Nominal Christianity”) A person may have well balanced theology, and his general views of truth would be considered evangelical and orthodox. And yet, thus far may he proceed in the deepest ‘self deception’. With all this “form of knowledge,” this […]
Every religion except one puts you upon doing something in order to recommend yourself to God… It is the business of all false religion to patch up a righteousness in which the sinner is to stand before God. But it is the business of the glorious gospel to bring near to us, by the hand […]
I believe that Christ came into the world not to put men into a salvable state, but into a saved state. Not to put them where they could save themselves, but to do the work in them and for them, from first to last. If I did not believe that there was might going forth […]
Beware of religion without Christ! Mark 4:1-20 – The Parable of the Sower You may think, “All is well with my soul. No one could ever feel what I feel and experience what I have experienced and yet be lost.” You ought to think again! False faith is a strong delusion, a delusion by which, […]
No oil? (Bonar, “Religion Without the Holy Spirit”) “The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps.” Matthew 25.3 This parable has many sides and aspects. It is prophetical; it is also practical. It suits all ages, but especially the last days. It suits the world, but especially the church of God. It is […]
They dress the wound of My people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace!” they say, when there is no peace. Jeremiah 8:11 How Jeremiah testifies against those prophets who prophesy smooth things—who prophesy deceits—who know not the way of the Lord, nor have walked in His counsel. There is no greater mark of false ministers […]