To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2014Thomas Watson<\/p>\n
Glory follows afflictions, not as the day follows the night but as the spring follows the winter; for the winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory.<\/p>\n
There is not only a mystery but a depth in the mystery, as of election and reprobation, so of providence. There is no reason can be given why some of God’s children are in quiet and others are vexed, why one should be poor and another rich. “Clouds and darkness are round about him” (Psalm 97:2); you cannot see Him; He is hid in a cloud, but “righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne.” Howsoever He may wrap Himself up in a thick cloud that none can see Him, yet He is just and righteous; therefore when anything befalls us for which we can see no reason, yet we must reverence the Lord and adore His counsels and submit to Him who is infinitely wiser than we.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Richard Sibbes<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Come To God <\/strong><\/p>\n Hebrews 7:25<\/em><\/p>\n The Bible alone, the Book of Holy Scripture, tells us what salvation is and how it may be obtained. The Scriptures alone are able to make us wise unto salvation. Only in the Bible do we read of God\u2019s mercy, love, and grace toward fallen man. The Word of God alone shows us how that a holy God can both be just and the Justifier of the ungodly. Salvation is revealed only in the Scriptures; and salvation is the primary, essential doctrine of Holy Scripture.<\/p>\n The Bible was not written to teach us history, but to teach us grace. The Bible was not written to instruct us in philosophy, but to instruct us in divine truth. The Bible was not written to teach us morality, but to teach us the way of salvation and life in Christ. Salvation by Christ is the message of Holy Scripture.<\/p>\n One Way<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n In order to be saved we must come to God by Christ Jesus. \u201cHe is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him.\u201d <\/em>Saving faith is described by many metaphors in the Word of God. Faith is looking<\/em> to<\/em> Christ. Faith is leaning on<\/em> Christ. Faith is embracing<\/em> Christ. Faith is receiving<\/em> Christ. Faith is laying hold of<\/em> Christ. Here, faith is coming to<\/em> Christ and coming to God by Christ.<\/p>\n Coming<\/strong><\/p>\n What is this coming to God? Please understand that coming to God is not a physical act. In this day of high-pressure evangelism, altar-call salvation, and decisional regeneration, I cannot stress this enough. Coming to God is not a physical act. It is a spiritual act. No one has ever been saved by a physical act. You do not get saved by coming to church, but by coming to God. You do not get saved by coming to the front, or coming to an \u201caltar\u201d, or coming to a confessional booth, but by coming to God. You do not get saved by saying \u201cthe sinner\u2019s prayer,\u201d but by coming to God. You do not get saved by coming to baptism, but by coming to God. You do not get saved by coming to the Lord\u2019s Supper, but by coming to God.<\/p>\n Coming to God is a spiritual act of the heart. It is not coming to him now and then, but coming to him continually, sincerely, whole-heartedly. This deliberate, willful, whole-hearted coming to God is faith (Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 2:4-5).<\/p>\n Coming to God implies that you must leave something else. If a person comes to God, he must leave his sins and he must leave his righteousness. He must leave his bad works and his good works. The gate is too straight to carry anything in with you; and the way is too narrow to allow you to pick up anything along the way.<\/p>\n Coming to God implies a sense of need. Coming to God implies a reconciliation of the heart to him, as he is pleased to reveal himself in Holy Scripture. Above all, coming to God is to believe him. It is exercising faith in him.<\/p>\n Mediator<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n How do we come to God? There is but one way for sinful men to come to God. All who come to God have to come the same way. We come to God \u201cby Him.\u201d <\/em>Christ is the only Way to God (John 14:6; Heb. 10:20). Christ is the only Door of Entrance into life (John 10:9). Christ is the only Mediator between God and men. God will never accept any who come to him without a suitable Sacrifice, and that Sacrifice is Christ. God will never accept any who come to him without a spotless garment of righteousness. That garment is Christ. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don Fortner<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n