It costs something to be a true Christian. It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease and our worldliness!
~ ~ ~ ~
A Christian is a walking sermon. They preach far more than a minister does—for they preach all week long!
~ ~ ~ ~
According to the men of the world—few are going to Hell.
According to the Bible—few are going to Heaven.
~ ~ ~ ~
Nothing is so offensive to Christ as lukewarmness in religion!
~ ~ ~ ~
Beware of manufacturing a God of your own . . .
a God who is all mercy—but not just;
a God who is all love—but not holy;
a God who has a Heaven for everybody—but a Hell for none;
a God who will make no distinction between godly and ungodly in eternity.
Such a God is an idol of your own, as truly an idol as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple! The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have made him. He is not the God of the Bible—and beside the God of the Bible there is no God at all.
~ ~ ~ ~
Pride is the oldest and most common of sins.
Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.
~ ~ ~ ~
Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross—and then go and set your affections on the world if you can!
~ ~ ~ ~
A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people!
~ ~ ~ ~
The Gospel was not meant merely to reside in our intellect, memories, and tongues—but to be seen in our lives.
~ ~ ~ ~
Happiness does not depend on outward circumstances—but on the state of the heart.
~ ~ ~ ~
Health is a good thing. But sickness is far better—if it leads us to God.
~ ~ ~ ~
The beginning of the way to Heaven—is to feel that we are on the way to Hell.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough—a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice—which costs nothing, and is worth nothing.
~ ~ ~ ~
Christian! Your trials, crosses, and conflicts are all temporary.
~ ~ ~ ~
I am one of those old-fashioned ministers who believe the whole Bible and everything that it contains.
~ ~ ~ ~
There are no lessons so useful—as those learned in the school of affliction.
~ ~ ~ ~
Christ is never fully valued, until sin is clearly seen.
~ ~ ~ ~
Our Lord has . . .
many weak children in his family,
many dull pupils in his school,
many raw soldiers in his army,
many lame sheep in his flock.
Yet He bears with them all, and casts none away.
Happy is that Christian who has learned to do likewise with his brethren.
~ ~ ~ ~
A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing. A cheap Christianity, without a cross—will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown.
~ ~ ~ ~
That preaching is sadly defective, which dwells exclusively on the mercies of God and the joys of Heaven—yet never sets forth the terrors of the Lord and the miseries of Hell.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sin forsaken—is one of the best evidences of sin forgiven.
~ ~ ~ ~
To be a Christian—it will cost a man his sins!
~ ~ ~ ~
There is no such thing as 'chance', 'luck', or 'accident' in the Christian journey through this world. All is arranged and appointed by God. And all things are 'working together' for the believer's good.
~ ~ ~ ~
The standard of the world, and the standard of the Lord Jesus—are indeed widely different. They are more than different—they are flatly contradictory one to the other. Never be satisfied with the world's standard of Christianity!
~ ~ ~ ~
Hell is truth known too late.
~ ~ ~ ~
The people and powers of this world are only tools in the hand of God. He is always using them for His own purposes—however little they may be aware of it!
~ ~ ~ ~
God's eternal Election is the first link in that chain of a sinner's salvation, of which Heavenly glory is the end!
~ ~ ~ ~
A tree may always be known by its fruit.
Just so, a true Christian may always be discovered by their habits, tastes and affections.
~ ~ ~ ~
To be Christian, it will cost a man his love of ease!
~ ~ ~ ~
Christ is never fully valued—until sin is clearly seen. We must know the depth and malignity of our disease—in order to appreciate the great Physician!
~ ~ ~ ~
That Bible is read best—which is practiced most!
~ ~ ~ ~
The tree falls with a great crash, but the secret decay which accounts for it—is often not discovered until it is down on the ground. Just so, men fall in private—long before they fall in public!
~ ~ ~ ~
Growth in grace is one way to be happy in our religion.
God has wisely linked together our comfort—and our increase in holiness.
~ ~ ~ ~
The children of God all have a cross to bear.
A suffering Savior generally has suffering disciples.
~ ~ ~ ~
We know nothing of humility by nature—for we are all born proud!
~ ~ ~ ~
Naked we came upon earth—and naked we depart.
Of all our possessions—we can carry nothing with us.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is more to be learned at the foot of the Cross—than anywhere else in the world!
~ ~ ~ ~
People will never set their faces decidedly towards Heaven, and live like pilgrims—until they really feel that they are in danger of Hell.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us be real, honest, and sincere in our Christianity.
We cannot deceive an all-seeing God!
~ ~ ~ ~
Sin rarely seems sin at first beginnings.
~ ~ ~ ~
The best of men—are men at best!
~ ~ ~ ~
Blessed are those who feel like pilgrims and strangers in this life—and whose best things are all to come!
~ ~ ~ ~
The surest mark of true conversion, is humility.
~ ~ ~ ~
When I speak of a man growing in grace, I mean simply that . . .
his sense of sin is becoming deeper,
his faith is becoming stronger,
his hope is becoming brighter,
his love is becoming more extensive, and
his spiritual-mindedness is becoming more marked.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Christian who keeps his heart diligently in little things—shall be kept from great falls.
~ ~ ~ ~
Until we give God our heart—we give Him nothing at all.
~ ~ ~ ~
Fathers and mothers—do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear.
Imitation is a far stronger principle with children, than memory.
What they see has a much stronger effect on their minds—than what they are told.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us read the Bible reverently and diligently—with an honest determination to believe and practice all we find in it.
~ ~ ~ ~
Every fresh act of sin . . .
lessens fear and remorse,
hardens our hearts,
blunts the edge of our conscience,
and increases our evil inclination!
~ ~ ~ ~
We may love money without having it—just as we may have money without loving it.
~ ~ ~ ~
The saddest symptom about many so-called Christians is the utter absence of anything like conflict and fight against spiritual apathy in their Christianity. They eat, they drink, they dress, they work, they amuse themselves, they get money, they spend money, they go through a brief round of formal religious services once or twice every week. But of the great spiritual warfare—its watchings and strugglings, its agonies and anxieties, its battles and contests—of all things they appear to know nothing at all. Let us take care that this case is not our own.
~ ~ ~ ~
If they do not comprehend our doctrines—humility and love are precisely the graces which the men of the world can understand. They are the graces about which there is no mystery, and they are within reach of all classes. The poorest Christian can every day find occasion for practicing love and humility.
~ ~ ~ ~
What is the reason that some believers are so much brighter and holier than others? I believe the difference, in nineteen cases out of twenty, arises from different habits about private prayer. I believe that those who are not eminently holy—pray little; and those who are eminently holy—pray much.
~ ~ ~ ~
Nothing so hardens the heart of man—as a barren familiarity with sacred things.
~ ~ ~ ~
Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct!
~ ~ ~ ~
Sicknesses, losses, crosses, anxieties and disappointments—seem absolutely needful to keep us humble, watchful and spiritual-minded. They are as needful as the pruning knife to the vine—and the refiner's furnace to the gold.
~ ~ ~ ~
We have no reason to be discouraged and cast down if the religion we profess is not popular and few agree with us. We must remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: 'The gate is narrow'. Repentance, and faith in Christ, and holiness of life, have never been fashionable. The true flock of Christ has always been small. It must not move us to find that we are reckoned singular, and peculiar, and bigoted, and narrow minded. This is the 'narrow way'. Surely it is better to enter into eternal life with a few—than to go to Hell with a great company.
~ ~ ~ ~
What could an unholy man do in Heaven, if by any chance he got there? Let that question be fairly looked in the face and fairly answered. No man can possibly be happy in a place where he is not in his element—and where all around him is not congenial to his tastes, habits and character.
~ ~ ~ ~
Do nothing that you would not like God to see.
Say nothing that you would not like God to hear.
Write nothing that you would not like God to read.
Go to no place where you would not like God to find you.
Read no book of which you would not like God to say, "Show it to Me."
Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like to have God say, "What are you doing?
~ ~ ~ ~
Doctrine is useless—if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless—it does positive harm. Something of 'the image of Christ' must be seen and observed by others in our private life, and habits, and character, and doings!
~ ~ ~ ~
The love of Christ towards His people—is a deep well which has no bottom!
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us daily strive to copy our Savior's humility.
~ ~ ~ ~
Imagination is the hotbed where sin is too often hatched. Guard your thoughts—and there will be little fear about your actions.
~ ~ ~ ~
The eye of God! Think of that. Everywhere, in every house, in every field, in every room, in every company, alone or in a crowd—the eye of God is always upon you!
~ ~ ~ ~
By affliction, God . . .
shows us our emptiness and weakness,
draws us to the throne of grace,
purifies our affections,
weans us from the world,
and makes us long for Heaven!
~ ~ ~ ~
People may refuse to see the truth of our arguments—but they cannot evade the evidence of a holy life!
~ ~ ~ ~
Take away the cross of Christ—and the Bible is a dark book.
~ ~ ~ ~
A right knowledge of sin lies at the root of all saving Christianity.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us . . .
cleave to Christ more closely,
love Him more heartily,
live to Him more thoroughly,
copy Him more exactly,
confess Him more boldly,
and follow Him more fully!
~ ~ ~ ~
If God has given His Son to die for us—let us beware of doubting His kindness and love in any painful providence of our daily life.
~ ~ ~ ~
We must give up the vain idea of trying to please everybody. That is impossible, and the attempt is a mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ's steps—and let the world say what it likes.
~ ~ ~ ~
True Christians delight to read the Scriptures—because they tell them about their beloved Savior.
~ ~ ~ ~
If I never spoke of Hell, I would think I had kept back something that was profitable, and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil.
~ ~ ~ ~
To be born again is, as it were, to enter upon a new existence, to have a new mind, a new heart, new views, new principles, new tastes, new affections, new likings, new dislikings, new fears, new joys, new sorrows, new love to things once hated, new hatred to things once loved, new thoughts of God, and ourselves, and the world, and the life to come, and salvation.
~ ~ ~ ~
Beware of manufacturing a God of your own: a God who is all mercy, but not just. Such a God is an idol of your own.
~ ~ ~ ~
There are few professing Christians, it may be feared, who strive to imitate Christ in the matter of private devotion. There is abundance of hearing, reading, talking, professing, visiting, contributing to the poor and teaching at schools. But is there, together with all this, a due proportion of private prayer? Are believing men and women sufficiently careful to be frequently alone with God?
~ ~ ~ ~
We must read our Bibles—like men digging for hidden treasure.
~ ~ ~ ~
A trial is an instrument by which our Father in Heaven makes Christians more holy. Trials are intended . . .
to make us think,
to wean us from the world,
to send us to the Bible,
to drive us to our knees.
~ ~ ~ ~
God knew what we were before conversion—wicked, guilty, and defiled—yet He loved us.
He knows what we will be after conversion—weak, erring, and frail—yet He loves us.
~ ~ ~ ~
Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God—according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.
~ ~ ~ ~
Are you tempted? Look unto Jesus.
Are you afflicted? Look unto Jesus.
Do all speak evil of you? Look unto Jesus.
Do you feel cold, dull, and backsliding? Look unto Jesus.
~ ~ ~ ~
I fear it is sometimes forgotten that God has married together justification and sanctification. They are distinct and different things, beyond question—yet one is never found without the other. All justified people are sanctified—and all sanctified people are justified. Tell me not of your justification—unless you have also some marks of sanctification. Boast not of Christ's work for you—unless you can show us the Spirit's work in you.
~ ~ ~ ~
What is the cause of most backslidings? I believe, as a general rule, one of the chief causes is neglect of private prayer. People are backsliders on their knees—long before they backslide openly in the eyes of the world.
~ ~ ~ ~
Happy are those who, in the matter of marriage observe three rules:
The first is to marry only in the Lord—and after prayer for God's approval and blessing.
The second is not to expect too much from their partners, and to remember that marriage is, after all, the union of two sinners, and not of two angels.
The third rule is to strive first and foremost for one another's sanctification.
The more holy married people are—the happier they are.
~ ~ ~ ~
The heart that has really tasted the grace of Christ—will instinctively hate sin.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us never forget that our chief danger is from within. The world and the devil combined, cannot do us as much harm as our own hearts will, if we do not watch and pray.
~ ~ ~ ~
We must cast away everything which hinders us upon our road towards Heaven—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life; the love of riches, pleasures and honors; the spirit of lukewarmness and carelessness and indifference about the things of God—all must be rooted out and forsaken if we are anxious for the prize. We must mortify the deeds of the body—we must crucify our affections for this world.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is not enough Bible-reading among us. It is not sufficient to have the Book. We must actually read it—and pray over it ourselves. It will do us no good, if it only lies still in our houses. We must be actually familiar with its contents, and have its texts stored in our memories and minds. Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive, wakeful reading.
~ ~ ~ ~
Meekness is one of the brightest graces which can adorn the Christian character.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let your Christianity be so unmistakable, your eye so single, your heart so whole, your walk so straightforward—that all who see you may have no doubt whose you are, and whom you serve.
~ ~ ~ ~
We are all naturally self-righteous. It is the family disease of all the children of Adam.
~ ~ ~ ~
Of all the doctrines of the Bible, none is so offensive to human nature as the doctrine of God's sovereignty.
~ ~ ~ ~
Examine your own hearts. Do you see there any habit or custom which you know is wrong in the sight of God? If you do, don't delay for a moment in attacking it. Resolve at once to lay it aside. Nothing darkens the eyes of the mind so much, and deadens the conscience so surely—as an allowed sin. It may be a little one, but it is not any less dangerous!
~ ~ ~ ~
If we are true Christians, we must not expect everything smooth in our journey to Heaven. We must count it no strange thing, if we have to endure sicknesses, losses, bereavements, and disappointments, just like other people. Free pardon and full forgiveness, grace by the way, and glory to the end—all this our Savior has promised to give. But He has never promised that we shall have no afflictions. He loves us too well to promise that!
~ ~ ~ ~
Wealth is no mark of God's favor.
Poverty is no mark of God's displeasure.
~ ~ ~ ~
True Christianity is not merely believing a certain set of dry abstract propositions—it is to live in daily personal communication with an actual living person—Jesus Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
Our prayers may be weak, stammering, and poor in our eyes. But if they come from a right heart—God understands them. Such prayers are His delight.
~ ~ ~ ~
Walk more closely with God. Get nearer to Christ. Seek to exchange hope for assurance. Seek to feel the witness of the Spirit more closely and distinctly every year. Lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily threatens you. Press towards the mark more earnestly. Fight a better fight, and war a better warfare every year you live. Pray more. Read more. Subdue self more. Love the brethren more. Oh that you may endeavor to grow in grace every year, that the end of your Christian course may be better than the beginning!
~ ~ ~ ~
The only way to be really happy in such a world as this—is to be ever casting all our cares on God!
~ ~ ~ ~
It costs something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are . . .
enemies to be overcome,
battles to be fought,
sacrifices to be made,
an Egypt to be forsaken,
a wilderness to be passed through,
a cross to be carried,
and a race to be run.
Conversion is not putting a person in an arm-chair and taking them easily to Heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is more Bible buying, Bible selling, Bible printing and Bible distributing than ever before in our nation. We see Bibles in every bookstore—Bibles of every size, price and style. There are Bibles in almost every house in the land. But all this time I fear we are in danger of forgetting that to HAVE the Bible is one thing—and to READ it quite another.
~ ~ ~ ~
It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear.
~ ~ ~ ~
Unless a man is born again—he will wish one day, that he had never been born at all.
~ ~ ~ ~
Do not glory in your own faith, your own feelings, your own knowledge, or your own diligence. Glory in nothing but Christ!
~ ~ ~ ~
True repentance begins with knowledge of sin.
It goes on to work sorrow for sin.
It leads to confession of sin before God.
It shows itself before a person by a thorough breaking off from sin.
It results in producing a deep hatred for all sin.
~ ~ ~ ~
If you want to find out how much someone loves you—find out how much they pray for you.
~ ~ ~ ~
If you love Christ, never be ashamed to let others see it and know it. Speak for Him. Witness for Him. Live for Him.
~ ~ ~ ~
Never does a person see any beauty in Christ as a Savior—until they discover that they are a lost and ruined sinner.
~ ~ ~ ~
O Christian, look up and take comfort. Jesus has prepared a place for you, and those who follow Him shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of His hands!
~ ~ ~ ~
How is it that many who profess and call themselves Christians—do so little for the Savior whose name they bear?
~ ~ ~ ~
I believe it to be clear evidence of the Spirit's presence—when the Word of God is really precious to a person's soul.
~ ~ ~ ~
A humble and prayerful person will find a thousand things in the Bible—which the proud student will utterly fail to discern.
~ ~ ~ ~
I maintain that to tell a person they are born again, while they are living in carelessness or sin—is a dangerous delusion!
~ ~ ~ ~
If you want to be delivered from the power of selfishness—then go to the cross of Christ!
~ ~ ~ ~
The blood of Christ can cleanse away all sin. But we must 'plead guilty' before God can declare us innocent.
~ ~ ~ ~
No one ever said at the end of his days:
"I have read my Bible too much,
I have thought of God too much,
I have prayed too much,
I have been too careful with my soul."
~ ~ ~ ~
Faith is to the soul—what life is to the body.
Prayer is to faith—what breath is to the body.
How a person can live and not breathe, is past my comprehension—and how a person can believe and not pray, is past my comprehension too.
~ ~ ~ ~
There will be no universal peace—until the Prince of Peace appears.
~ ~ ~ ~
No time is so well spent in every day—as that which we spend upon our knees.
~ ~ ~ ~
Unity without the gospel is a worthless unity—it is the very unity of Hell.
~ ~ ~ ~
A Christian is nothing more than a sinner who has found out their sinfulness, and has learned the blessed secret of living by faith in Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
To say that we are sorry for our sins is mere hypocrisy—unless we show that we are really sorry for them, by giving them up. Doing is the very life of repentance.
~ ~ ~ ~
Whatever you read, read the Bible first. Beware of bad books—there are plenty in this day. Take heed what you read!
~ ~ ~ ~
Look not to yourselves! You are by nature wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Look simply unto Jesus.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us be very careful that we never exalt any minister, or sermon, or book, or friend—above the Word of God.
~ ~ ~ ~
Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive reading.
~ ~ ~ ~
The nearer we live to God while we live—the more ready we will be to dwell forever in His presence when we die.
~ ~ ~ ~
It is easy to deceive ministers, relatives and friends.
But it is impossible to deceive Christ!
~ ~ ~ ~
It must not content us to take our bodies to church—if we leave our hearts at home.
~ ~ ~ ~
Fear not because your prayer is stammering, your words feeble, and your language poor. Jesus can understand you.
~ ~ ~ ~
No person ever thought too much of Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is no fickleness about Jesus—those whom He loves, He loves to the end!
~ ~ ~ ~
The fear of punishment, the desire of reward, the sense of duty, are all useful arguments, in their way, to persuade people to holiness. But they are all weak and powerless, until a person loves Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
To be prayerless is to be . . .
without God,
without Christ,
without grace,
without hope,
and without Heaven.
~ ~ ~ ~
All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it. If 'Christ crucified' has not His rightful place in your sermons, and sin is not exposed as it should be, and your people are not plainly told what they ought to believe, and be, and do—then your preaching is of no use!
~ ~ ~ ~
The very sermon that we needlessly miss—may contain a precious word in season for our souls.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us watch against pride in every shape . . .
pride of intellect,
pride of wealth,
pride of our own goodness.
Nothing is so likely to keep a person out of Heaven, and prevent them from seeing Christ, as pride. So long as we think we are something—we shall never be saved. Let us pray for and cultivate humility. Let us seek to know ourselves correctly, and to find out our place in the sight of a holy God.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us beware of repentance without evidence.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Gospel which we possess was not given to us only to be admired, talked of, and professed—but to be practiced.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us strive, every year we live, to become more deeply acquainted with Scripture.
~ ~ ~ ~
Next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion, as Bible-reading.
~ ~ ~ ~
HATE SIN! Instead of loving it, cleaving to it, excusing it, playing with it—we ought to hate it with a deadly hatred.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sin will not come to you saying, "I am sin!" It would do little harm if it did. Sin always seems good, pleasant and desirable at the time of arrival.
~ ~ ~ ~
Prayer will consume sin—or sin will choke prayer.
~ ~ ~ ~
Conversion is not putting a man in an armchair and taking him easily to Heaven. Conversion is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory.
~ ~ ~ ~
Live as if you thought that Christ might come at any time!
~ ~ ~ ~
The chief end for which Christ lived and died: To provide eternal redemption for sinners.
~ ~ ~ ~
Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth, on the altar of peace.
~ ~ ~ ~
God is far more willing to save sinners—than sinners are to be saved.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is only one door, one bridge, one ladder, between earth and Heaven—the crucified Son of God.
~ ~ ~ ~
Wherever we may be, or whatever our circumstances—the Lord Jesus sees them. We are never beyond the reach of His sympathetic care.
~ ~ ~ ~
We know but little of true Christianity—if we don't feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people.
~ ~ ~ ~
If Christ had not gone to the cross and suffered in our stead, the just for the unjust—there would not have been a spark of hope for us. There would have been a mighty gulf between ourselves and God, which no man ever could have passed.
~ ~ ~ ~
Tomorrow is the devil's day—but today is God's day. Satan does not care how spiritual your intentions are, or how holy your resolutions are—if only they are determined to be done tomorrow.
~ ~ ~ ~
No one ever reached Heaven without repentance toward God—and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
If you profess to be a child of God—leave it to the Lord Jesus to sanctify you in His own way.
~ ~ ~ ~
Do we profess to love Christ? Then let us show it by our lives.
~ ~ ~ ~
Good hymns are an immense blessing to the Church. They train people for Heaven, where praise is one of the principal occupations.
~ ~ ~ ~
Since Satan can't destroy the gospel—he has too often neutralized its usefulness by addition, subtraction or substitution.
~ ~ ~ ~
Better to confess Christ 1000 times now, and be despised by men—than be disowned by Christ before God on the day of Judgment.
~ ~ ~ ~
Children are very quick observers. They are . . .
very quick in seeing through hypocrisy,
very quick in finding out what you really think and feel,
very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions.
You will often discover that, as the father is—so is the son.
~ ~ ~ ~
Prayer needs neither learning, wisdom or book knowledge to begin it. It needs nothing but heart and will.
~ ~ ~ ~
Miserable indeed is that religious teaching which calls itself 'Christian'—and yet contains nothing of the cross.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing—which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible.
~ ~ ~ ~
There are eternal consequences resulting from all our thoughts, words and actions—of which we take far too little account.
~ ~ ~ ~
The first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness—is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.
~ ~ ~ ~
The true Christian does not need to be reminded that they have a crucified Master. They often think of Him.
~ ~ ~ ~
Faith in the Lord Jesus is the only sure medicine for troubled hearts.
~ ~ ~ ~
How can we love sin—when we remember that because of our sins Jesus died?
~ ~ ~ ~
The love of the Bible—will show itself in a believer's actions.
~ ~ ~ ~
Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin—or sin will choke prayer.
~ ~ ~ ~
We can never make too much of Christ. He is worthy of all the honor that we can give Him.
~ ~ ~ ~
I declare I know no state of soul more dangerous than to imagine we are born again and sanctified by the Holy Spirit—simply because we have picked up a few religious feelings.
~ ~ ~ ~
We should no more tolerate false doctrine—than we would tolerate sin!
~ ~ ~ ~
Read the Bible daily. Make it part of your everyday business to read and meditate on some portion of God's Word. Gather yourmanna fresh every morning. Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading. Give your Bible the best, and not the worst, part of your time. But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and the Bible every day.
~ ~ ~ ~
Amidst the flood of dangerous reading, I plead for my Master's book! I call upon you not to forget the book of the soul. Do not let newspapers, novels, and romances be read—while the prophets and Apostles be despised. Do not let the exciting and sensual swallow up your attention—while the edifying and the sanctifying can find no place in your mind.
~ ~ ~ ~
Millions of people profess and call themselves Christians—whom the Apostle Paul would not have called Christians at all.
~ ~ ~ ~
A saved soul has many sorrows. They have their share of bereavements, deaths, disappointments and crosses. What shall enable a believer to bear all this? Nothing but the consolation there is in Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
The world's idea of greatness is to rule—but Christian greatness consists in serving.
~ ~ ~ ~
Abide in Me says Jesus. Cling to Me. Stick fast to Me. Live the life of close and intimate communion with Me. Get nearer to Me. Roll every burden on Me. Cast your whole weight on Me. Never let go your hold on Me for a moment. Be, as it were, rooted and planted in Me. Do this—and I will never fail you. I will ever abide with you.
~ ~ ~ ~
In Christ alone, God's rich provision of salvation for sinners is treasured up.
By Christ alone, God's abundant mercies come down from Heaven to earth.
Christ's blood alone can cleanse us.
Christ's righteousness alone can adorn us.
Christ's merit alone can give us a title to Heaven.
Jews and Gentiles, learned and unlearned, kings and poor men—all alike must either be saved by the Lord Jesus, or lost forever.
~ ~ ~ ~
What is the cause of most backslidings? I believe, as a general rule, one of the chief causes is neglect of private prayer.
~ ~ ~ ~
The love of our Lord Jesus Christ towards sinners is strikingly shown in His steady purpose of heart to die for them.
~ ~ ~ ~
Just as the telescope and microscope show us that there is order and design in all the works of God's hand, from the greatest planet down to the least insect—so does the Bible teach us that there is wisdom, order and design in all the events of our daily life.
~ ~ ~ ~
If you and sin are friends—then you and God are not yet reconciled.
~ ~ ~ ~
Be very sure of this—people never reject the Bible because they cannot understand it. They understand it only too well! They understand that it condemns their own behavior. They understand that it witnesses against their own sins, and summons them to judgment!
~ ~ ~ ~
Conduct is the grand test of character. Words are one great evidence of the condition of the heart.
~ ~ ~ ~
Laughter, ridicule, opposition and persecution are often the only reward which Christ's followers get from the world.
~ ~ ~ ~
Whatever others around you think—don't you ever be ashamed of being a Christian.
~ ~ ~ ~
It was the whole Trinity, which at the beginning of creation said, "Let us make man". It was the whole Trinity again, which at the beginning of the Gospel seemed to say, "Let us save man".
~ ~ ~ ~
Obedience is faith visible, faith acting, and faith manifest. Obedience is the test of real discipleship among the Lord's people.
~ ~ ~ ~
Necessity is laid upon us. We must fight. There are no promises in the Lord Jesus Christ's epistles to the seven churches, except to those who 'overcome.' Where there is grace—there will be conflict. The believer is a soldier. There is no holiness without a warfare. Saved souls will always be found to have fought a fight.
~ ~ ~ ~
The man who has nothing more than a kind of Sunday religion—whose Christianity is like his Sunday clothes put on once a week, and then laid aside—such a man cannot, of course, be expected to care about growth in grace.
~ ~ ~ ~
Why is a believer patient? Because he looks for the coming of the Lord. He waits quietly for the King.
~ ~ ~ ~
God does not look at riches, titles, education, or beauty. There is only one thing that God does look at—and that is the heart.
~ ~ ~ ~
Christ's death is the Christian's life.
Christ's cross is the Christian's title to Heaven.
Christ "lifted up" and put to shame on Calvary is the ladder by which Christians "enter into the holiest," and are at length landed in glory!
~ ~ ~ ~
We never know who they are that God will saving draw to Himself—and have nothing to do with that. Our duty is to invite all—and leave it to God to choose the vessels of mercy.
~ ~ ~ ~
Oh, dear friend, if you love your children, I charge you, do not let the early impression of a habit of prayer slip by. If you train your children to do anything, train them, at least, to have a habit of prayer.
~ ~ ~ ~
The work of the preacher resembles that of the sower. Like the sower, the preacher must sow good seed, the Word of God.
~ ~ ~ ~
True worship leads to a more full knowledge of self, God, Heaven, duty, doctrine, practice and experience.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us resolve by God's grace that, however feeble and poor our prayers may seem to us—we will pray on.
~ ~ ~ ~
What is the best safeguard against false doctrine?
The Bible regularly read, regularly prayed over, regularly studied.
~ ~ ~ ~
One single soul saved—shall outlive and outweigh all the kingdoms of the world.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Word of God is ROCK—all else is sand!
~ ~ ~ ~
The cross is the foundation of the Bible. If you have not yet found out that Christ crucified is the foundation of the whole volume—you have hitherto read your Bible to very little profit. Your religion is a sky without a sun, an arch without a keystone, a compass without a needle, a clock without a spring or weights, a lamp without oil. It will not comfort you—and it will not deliver your soul from Hell.
~ ~ ~ ~
If men come among you who do not preach all the counsel of God, who do not preach of Christ, sin, holiness, of ruin, redemption, and regeneration, and do not preach of these things in a Scriptural way—you ought to cease to hear them.
~ ~ ~ ~
Solid scriptural theology should be valued in the church. Books in which Scripture is reverently regarded as the only rule of faith and practice—books in which Christ and the Holy Spirit have their rightful office—books in which justification, and sanctification, and regeneration, and faith, and grace, and holiness are clearly, distinctly, and accurately delineated and exhibited—these are the only books which do real good. Few things need reviving, more than a taste for such books as these among Christians.
~ ~ ~ ~
True repentance is no light matter. It is a thorough change of heart about sin—a change showing itself in godly sorrow and humiliation—in heartfelt confession before the throne of grace—in a complete breaking off from sinful habits, and an abiding hatred of all sin. Such repentance is the inseparable companion of saving faith in Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
The parent who tries to train his child without setting a good example—is building with one hand, and pulling down with the other!
~ ~ ~ ~
Let it be a settled principle in our minds, in reading the Bible, that Christ is the central sun of the whole book. So long as we keep Him in view—we shall never greatly err in our search for spiritual knowledge. Once losing sight of Christ—we shall find the whole Bible dark and full of difficulty.
~ ~ ~ ~
If the Bible is not the Word of God and inspired—then the whole of Christendom for 1800 years has been under an immense delusion—half the human race has been cheated and deceived—and churches are monuments of folly. If the Bible is the Word of God and inspired—then all who refuse to believe it are in fearful danger—they are living on the brink of eternal misery. No man, in his sober senses, can fail to see that the whole subject demands most serious attention.
~ ~ ~ ~
Do something, by God's help, to make Heaven more full and Hell more empty.
~ ~ ~ ~
Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little—unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life. Your children will never believe you are in earnest, and really wish them to obey you—so long as your actions contradict your counsel. Do not think that your children will practice—what they do not see you do. You are their model picture—and they will copy what you are. They will seldom learn habits which they see you despise—or walk in paths in which you do not walk yourself.
~ ~ ~ ~
Without the blessing of the Lord, your best endeavors will do no good. He has the hearts of all men in His hands, and unless He touches the hearts of your children by His Spirit—you will weary yourself to no purpose. Water, therefore, the seed you sow on their minds with unceasing prayer.
~ ~ ~ ~
The temple in which the Lord Jesus delights most—is a broken and contrite heart, renewed by the Holy Spirit.
~ ~ ~ ~
My chief desire in all my writings—is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him beautiful and glorious in the eyes of people—and to promote the increase of repentance, faith, and holiness upon earth.
~ ~ ~ ~
Just as the first sign of life in an infant when born into the world is the act of breathing—so the first act of men and women when they are born again is praying.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sanctification is the outcome and inseparable consequence of regeneration. He who is born again and made a new creature, receives a new nature and a new principle and always lives a new life.
~ ~ ~ ~
He who has trained his children for Heaven, rather than for earth—for God, rather than for man—he is the parent who will be called wise at the last.
~ ~ ~ ~
Prayer is the surest remedy against the devil and besetting sins.
~ ~ ~ ~
We must be holy, because without holiness on earth—we will never be prepared to enjoy Heaven. I do not know what others may think—but to me it does seem clear that Heaven would be a miserable place to an unholy man. It cannot be otherwise. People may say in a vague way, that they "hope to go to Heaven—but they do not consider what they say. There must be a certain "fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light."
~ ~ ~ ~
A sin consists in doing, saying, thinking, or imagining anything that is not in perfect conformity with the mind and law of God.
~ ~ ~ ~
I have long come to the conclusion that men may be more systematic in their statements than the Bible, and may be led into grave error by idolatrous veneration of a system.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is but one fountain of comfort for a man drawing near to his end, and that is the Bible. All comfort from any other source, is a house built upon sand.
~ ~ ~ ~
If we would have good ministers, we must remember our Lord's example, and pray for them.
Their work is heavy.
Their responsibility is enormous.
Their strength is small.
Let us see that we support them—and hold up their hands by our prayers.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is something sadly wrong when it is more important to us whether others are a part of our denomination—rather than whether they repent of sin, believe on Christ, and live holy lives.
~ ~ ~ ~
Election is always unto sanctification. Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification—we may be sure there is no election.
~ ~ ~ ~
No doubt a man may be saved, like the penitent thief, without having received the Lord's Supper. It is not a matter of absolute and indispensable necessity, like repentance, faith, and conversion. But it is impossible to say that any professing Christian is in a safe, healthy, or satisfactory condition of soul—who habitually refuses to obey Christ and attend the Lord's Table.
~ ~ ~ ~
It is not always those who have the most eminent gifts who are the most successful laborers for God. It is generally those who keep up closest communion with Christ, and are most constant in prayer.
~ ~ ~ ~
Without a thorough conviction of sin, men may seem to come to Jesus and follow Him for a season—but they will soon fall away and return to the world.
~ ~ ~ ~
Jesus hears us, and in His own good time will give an answer. He may sometimes keep us long waiting—but He will never send us empty away.
~ ~ ~ ~
The rulers of the earth plan, and scheme, and make laws, and change laws, and war, and pull down one, and raise up another. But they little think that they rule only by the will of Jesus, and that nothing happens without the permission of the Lamb of God!
~ ~ ~ ~
A Bible reading laity—is a nation's surest defense against error.
~ ~ ~ ~
We are all so sunk in sin, and so wedded to the world, that we would never turn to God and seek salvation—unless He first called us by His grace. Without a divine call—no one can be saved.
~ ~ ~ ~
However corrupt our hearts, and however wicked our past lives—there is hope for us in the Gospel.
~ ~ ~ ~
But if there is one thing clearly and plainly laid down about election, it is this: that elect men and women may be known and distinguished by holy lives.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let it be a settled principle that men's salvation, if saved, is wholly of God; and that man's ruin, if lost, is wholly of himself.
~ ~ ~ ~
We corrupt the Word of God most dangerously, when we throw any doubt on the plenary inspiration of any part of Holy Scripture.
~ ~ ~ ~
The heart of a man can never be satisfied with the things of this world. It is always empty, and hungry, and thirsty, and dissatisfied—until it comes to Christ. It is only those who hear Christ's voice, and follow Him, and feed on Him by faith—who are 'filled.'
~ ~ ~ ~
There are very few errors and false doctrines of which the beginning may not be traced up to unsound views about the corruption of human nature. Wrong views of the disease—will always bring with them wrong views of the remedy. Wrong views of the corruption of human nature—will always carry with them wrong views of the grand antidote and cure of that corruption.
~ ~ ~ ~
Inability to distinguish doctrine is spreading far and wide, and so long as the preacher is "clever" and "earnest"—hundreds seem to think it must be all right; and call you dreadfully "narrow and uncharitable" if you hint that he is unsound!
~ ~ ~ ~
Troublous times, departures from the faith, evil men waxing worse and worse, love waxing cold—are things distinctly predicted.
~ ~ ~ ~
No salvation without regeneration—no spiritual life without a new birth—no Heaven without a new heart!
~ ~ ~ ~
When the Lord Jesus Christ gives a man remission of sins—He also gives him repentance.
~ ~ ~ ~
On the one hand, stands salvation by free grace for Christ's sake;
but on the other, stands renewal of the carnal heart by the Spirit.
We must be changed—as well as forgiven.
We must be renewed—as well as redeemed.
~ ~ ~ ~
The incorruptible things are all within the narrow gate. The peace of God which surpasses all understanding—the bright hope of good things to come—the sense of the Spirit dwelling in us—the consciousness that we are forgiven and provided for in time and eternity, whatever may happen—these are true gold, and lasting riches!
~ ~ ~ ~
Parents, do you wish to see your children happy? Take care, then, that you train them to obey when they are spoken to—to do as they are bid. Teach them to obey while young—or else they will be fretting against God all their lives long, and wear themselves out with the vain idea of being independent of His control.
~ ~ ~ ~
The more I read—the less I admire modern theology. The more I study the productions of the new schools of theological teachers—the more I marvel that men and women can be satisfied with such writings. There is a vagueness, a mistiness, a shallowness, an indistinctness, a superficiality, an aimlessness, a hollowness about the literature of the 'broader and kinder systems', as they are called—which to my mind stamps their origin on their face. They are of the earth, earthy!
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us resolve to talk more to believers about the Bible when we meet them. Alas, the conversation of Christians, when they do meet, is often sadly unprofitable! How many frivolous, and trifling, and uncharitable things are said! Let us bring out the Bible more, and it will help to drive the devil away, and keep our hearts in tune. Oh, that we may all strive so to walk together in this evil world—that Jesus may often draw near, and go with us, as He went with the two disciples journeying to Emmaus!
~ ~ ~ ~
Beware of letting small faults pass unnoticed under the idea it is a little one. There are no little things in training children—all are important. Little weeds need plucking up as much as large ones. Leave them alone—and they will soon be great.
~ ~ ~ ~
A right heart leans on Christ, hangs on Christ, builds on Christ, and cleaves to Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct. Kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys—these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily—these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to your child's heart.
~ ~ ~ ~
Without holiness on earth—we shall never be prepared to enjoy Heaven.
Heaven is a holy place.
The Lord of Heaven is a holy Being.
The angels are holy creatures.
Holiness is written on everything in Heaven.
How shall we ever be at home and happy in Heaven—if we die unholy?
~ ~ ~ ~
The key to understanding the Bible is Jesus Christ!
~ ~ ~ ~
When a person's tongue is extensively wrong, it is absurd, no less than unscriptural—to say that their heart is right.
~ ~ ~ ~
If we would be sanctified, our course is clear and plain—we must begin with Christ. We must go to Him as sinners, with no plea but that of utter need, and cast our souls on Him by faith. If we would grow in holiness—we must continually go on as we began, and be ever making fresh applications to Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let it be a settled principle in our minds that the first and chief business of the Church, is to preach the Gospel.
~ ~ ~ ~
I would as soon expect a farmer to prosper in business who contented himself with sowing his fields—and never looking at them until harvest; as expect a believer to attain much holiness—who was not diligent about his Bible reading, his prayers, and the use of his Sundays.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sin and the devil will always find helpers in our hearts.
~ ~ ~ ~
Prosperity is a great mercy, but adversity is a greater one—if it brings us to Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
Beware of self-righteousness in every possible shape and form. Some people get as much harm from their "virtues"—as others do from their sins.
~ ~ ~ ~
Do you wish to grow in grace and be a holy Christian? Then never forget the value of prayer.
~ ~ ~ ~
There must not only be good preaching—but good hearing.
~ ~ ~ ~
Before Christ comes, it is useless to expect to see the perfect church.
~ ~ ~ ~
No prayers can be heard, which do not come from a forgiving heart.
~ ~ ~ ~
I want people to fill their minds with passages of Scripture while they are well and strong—so that they may have sure help in the day of need. I want them to be diligent in studying their Bibles, and becoming familiar with its contents—in order that the grand old Book may stand by them and talk with them when all earthly friends fail.
~ ~ ~ ~
Where no visible gospel fruit can be found—there you may be sure is no conversion.
~ ~ ~ ~
Prayer is the very life-breath of true Christianity.
~ ~ ~ ~
Hearken, my believing reader! What is the cause of your weakness? Is it not because the fountain of life is little used? Is it not because you are resting on old experiences, and not daily gathering new manna—daily drawing new strength from Christ?
~ ~ ~ ~
A man's state before God, may always be measured by his prayers.
~ ~ ~ ~
The minister who keeps back Hell from his people in his sermons—is neither a faithful nor a charitable man!
~ ~ ~ ~
Weak, feeble and foolish as it may seem to people—the simple story of the Cross is enough for all mankind in every part of the globe.
~ ~ ~ ~
The true Christian delights to hear something about their Master. They like those sermons best, which are full of Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
Persecution is like the goldsmith's stamp on real silver and gold—it is one of the marks of a converted man.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Bible in the pulpit, must never supersede the Bible at home.
~ ~ ~ ~
God does not regard the quantity of faith, but the quality. He does not measure its degree, but its truth. He will not break any bruised reed, nor quench any smoking flax. He will never let it be said that any perished at the foot of the cross.
~ ~ ~ ~
A zealous Savior—ought to have zealous disciples.
~ ~ ~ ~
In justification the word to be addressed to man is believe—only believe. In sanctification the word must be 'watch, pray, and fight!'
~ ~ ~ ~
If you show me a man deliberately living an unholy and impure life, and yet boasting that his sins are forgiven, I answer, "He is under a ruinous delusion, and is not forgiven at all!" I would not believe he is forgiven—even if an angel from Heaven affirmed it; and I charge you not to believe it too. Pardon of sin, and love of sin, are like oil and water—they will never go together. All who are washed in the blood of Christ—are also sanctified by the Spirit of Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us seek friends who will stir up our prayers, our Bible reading, our use of time, and our salvation.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is one subject in religion, about which you can never know too much. That subject is Jesus Christ the Lord.
~ ~ ~ ~
The brightest saint is the man who has the most heart-searching sense of his own sinfulness—and the liveliest sense of his own complete acceptance in Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
The person that goes regularly and intelligently to the Lord's Table—finds it increasingly hard to yield to sin and conform to the world.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sin always seems 'good, and pleasant, and desirable,' at the time of commission.
~ ~ ~ ~
Next to praying, there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible reading. By reading that Book, we may learn what to believe, what to be, and what to do; how to live with comfort, and how to die in peace.
Happy is that man who possesses a Bible!
Happier still is he who reads it!
Happiest of all is he who not only reads it—but obeys it, and makes it the rule of his faith and practice!
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us never measure our religion by that of others, and think we are doing enough—if we have gone beyond our neighbors.
~ ~ ~ ~
Prayer is the mightiest weapon that God has placed in our hands!
~ ~ ~ ~
To talk of comparing the Bible with other "sacred books" so called, such as the Koran, or the book of Mormon—is positively absurd. You might as well compare the sun with a candle, or mountain with a molehill, or a palace with an Irish hovel, or the Kohinoor diamond with a bit of glass. God seems to have allowed the existence of these pretended revelations, in order to prove the immeasurable superiority of His own Word.
~ ~ ~ ~
For my own part, I believe that in dealing with skeptics, and unbelievers, and enemies of the Bible—Christians are too apt to stand only on the defensive. They are too often content with answering this or that little objection, or discussing this or that little difficulty, which is picked out of Scripture and thrown in their teeth. I believe we ought to act on the aggressive far more than we do, and to press home on the adversaries of Biblical inspiration, the enormous difficulties of their own position.
~ ~ ~ ~
The harvest of the Lord's field is seldom ripened by sunshine only. It must go through its days of wind, rain and storm.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us only take heed that the Kingship of Christ is not set before us in vain. It will profit us nothing at the last day that Jesus was a Shepherd—if during our lifetime, we never heard His voice and followed Him. If we love life—let us join His flock without delay.
~ ~ ~ ~
We must be holy—because this is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Christianity that saves is a thing personally grasped, personally experienced, personally felt and personally possessed.
~ ~ ~ ~
The hand of the wicked can't stir one moment before God allows them to begin—nor one moment after God commands them to stop.
~ ~ ~ ~
He who would be conformed to Christ's image, and become a Christ-like man—must be constantly studying Christ Himself.
~ ~ ~ ~
The true cure for self-righteousness—is self-knowledge.
~ ~ ~ ~
What will it cost a person to be a true Christian? It will cost him his self-righteousness. He must cast away all pride and high thoughts, and conceit of his own goodness. He must be content to go to Heaven as a poor sinner, saved only by free grace, and owing all to the merit and righteousness of another.
~ ~ ~ ~
There is a vast quantity of religion current in the world which is not true, genuine Christianity. It passes muster, it satisfies sleepy consciences—but it is not good money. It is not the authentic reality that called itself Christianity in the beginning.
~ ~ ~ ~
A true Christian is one who has not only peace of conscience, but war within. He may be known by his warfare as well as by his peace.
~ ~ ~ ~
True faith will always show itself by its fruits.
~ ~ ~ ~
I suspect that, with rare exceptions—men die just as they have lived.
~ ~ ~ ~
Who shall dare to talk of their strength—when David can fall?
~ ~ ~ ~
If Christianity is a mere invention of man, and the Bible is not from God—then how can infidels explain Jesus Christ? His existence in history, they cannot deny. How is it that without force or bribery, without arms or money—He has made such an immensely deep mark on the world as He certainly has?
~ ~ ~ ~
A good conscience will be found a pleasant visitor at our bedside in a dying hour.
~ ~ ~ ~
It is easy to criticize and find fault with the conduct of rulers, and write furious articles against them in newspapers, or make violent speeches about them on platforms. Any fool can rip and rend a costly garment—but not every man can cut out and make one. To expect perfection in rulers of any kind, is senseless and unreasonable. We would exhibit more wisdom if we prayed for them more—and criticized less.
~ ~ ~ ~
Nothing is so fickle and uncertain as popularity. It is here today—and gone tomorrow. It is a sandy foundation—and sure to fail those who build upon it.
~ ~ ~ ~
Young men, I beseech you earnestly, beware of pride.
Two things are said to be very rare sights in the world:
one is a young man that is humble,
the other is an old man that is content.
~ ~ ~ ~
The devil has more knowledge than any of us—and yet is no better for it.
~ ~ ~ ~
Value all books in proportion as they are agreeable to Scripture. Those that are nearest to it, are the best. Those that are farthest from it, and most contrary to it, are the worst.
~ ~ ~ ~
The doctrine of Christ crucified is the strength of a Minister. I, for one, would not be without it for all the world.
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us remember, there is One who daily records all we do for Him, and sees more beauty in His servants' work than His servants do themselves. To their wonder and surprise, there never was a word spoken on their Master's behalf, which does not receive a reward.
~ ~ ~ ~
Am I honest? Am I sincere? Do I really desire first the praise of God?
~ ~ ~ ~
Two-thirds of all the strifes, quarrels, and lawsuits in the world arise from one simple cause—money!
~ ~ ~ ~
Death is a solemn event for everyone.
It is the winding up of all earthly plans and expectations.
It is a separation from all we have loved and lived with.
It is often accompanied by much bodily pain and distress.
It opens the door to judgment and eternity—to Heaven or to Hell.
It is an event after which there is no change, nor space for repentance.
~ ~ ~ ~
A man may just as soon read the Scripture without eyes—as understand the spirit of it without grace.
~ ~ ~ ~
All converted people should labor to adorn the doctrine they profess with humility. If they can do nothing else—they can strive to be humble.
~ ~ ~ ~
Politics, or controversy, or party spirit, or worldliness—have eaten out the heart of lively piety in too many of us. The subject of personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background!
~ ~ ~ ~
If anyone feels his sins, let him come at once, straight, direct—not merely to church, or to repentance, or to prayer—but to Christ Himself.
~ ~ ~ ~
We are evidently no friends of Satan. Like the kings of this world, he does not war against his own subjects. The very fact that he assaults us—should fill our minds with hope.
~ ~ ~ ~
Bibles read without prayer;
sermons heard without prayer;
marriages contracted without prayer;
journeys undertaken without prayer;
residences chosen without prayer;
friendships formed without prayer;
the daily act of prayer itself hurried over, or gone through without heart
— these are the kind of downward steps by which many a Christian descends to a condition of spiritual palsy, or reaches the point where God allows them to have a tremendous fall.
~ ~ ~ ~
Follow Christ for His own sake, if you follow Him at all.
~ ~ ~ ~
The true secret of spiritual strength—is self-distrust and deep humility.
~ ~ ~ ~
Many, I fear, would like glory—who have no wish for grace. They want to have . . .
the wages—but not the work;
the harvest—but not the labor;
the reaping—but not the sowing;
the reward—but not the battle.
But it may not be.
~ ~ ~ ~
When a man's heart is cold and unconcerned about religion—when his hands are never employed in doing God's work—when his feet are not familiar with God's ways—when his tongue is seldom or never used in prayer and praise—when his eyes are blind to the beauty of the kingdom of Heaven—when his mind is full of the world, and has no room for spiritual things—when these marks are to be found in a man—then the word of the Bible is the right word to use about him, and that word is, 'Dead!'
~ ~ ~ ~
The true Christian regards all Christ's friends as . . .
his friends,
members of the same body,
children of the same family,
soldiers in the same army,
travelers to the same home.
When he meets them—he feels as if he had long known them. He is more at home with them in a few minutes—than he is with many worldly people after an acquaintance of several years. And what is the secret of all this? It is simply affection to the same Savior and love to the same Lord.
~ ~ ~ ~
That faith which has not a sanctifying influence on the character—is no better than the faith of devils.
~ ~ ~ ~
The last day will prove that some of the holiest men who ever lived—were hardly known.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached—let us not rush into God's presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we will hear with profit, and return with praise.
~ ~ ~ ~
A deep sense of sin, a humble willingness to be saved in God's way, a teachable readiness to give up our own prejudices when a more excellent way is shown—these are the principal things. These things the two disciples possessed, and therefore our Lord "went with them" and guided them into all truth.
~ ~ ~ ~
Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition.
~ ~ ~ ~
God has linked holiness and happiness together—and what God has joined together, we must not think to put asunder.
~ ~ ~ ~
I must honestly declare my conviction that, since the days of the Reformation, there never has been . . .
so much profession of religion—without practice,
so much talking about God—without walking with Him,
so much hearing God's words—without doing them.
~ ~ ~ ~
If we would know whether our faith is genuine—we do well to ask ourselves how we are living.
~ ~ ~ ~
One real danger to young men, is thoughtlessness and lack of consideration. Lack of thought is one simple reason why thousands of souls are cast away forever. Men will not consider—-will not look forward—will not look around them—will not reflect on the end of their present course, and the sure consequences of their present ways. At last, they awake to find they are damned for lack of thinking!
~ ~ ~ ~
Let us awake to a sense of the perilous state of many professing Christians. "Without holiness—no man shall see the Lord." Without sanctification—there is no salvation. Then what an enormous amount of so-called religion there is which is perfectly useless!
~ ~ ~ ~
If you would train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go—and not in the way they would go.
~ ~ ~ ~
Wrong views about holiness—are generally traceable to wrong views about human corruption.
~ ~ ~ ~
Nothing perhaps affects man's character—more than the company he keeps.
~ ~ ~ ~
Experience supplies painful proof that traditions once called into being—are first called useful, then they become necessary. At last they are too often made idols—and all must bow down to them, or be punished!
~ ~ ~ ~
We want more men and women who walk with God and before God, like Enoch and Abraham.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Bible applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit is the chief means by which men are built up and established in the faith, after their conversion. The Bible is able to cleanse them, to sanctify them, to instruct them in righteousness, and to furnish them thoroughly for all good works.
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The early Christians made it a part of their religion to look for his return. They looked backward to the cross and the atonement for sin—and rejoiced in Christ crucified. They looked upward to Christ at the right hand of God—and rejoiced in Christ interceding. They looked forward to the promised return of their Master—and rejoiced in the thought that they would see him again. And we ought to do the same.
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We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life.
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Any well-read man knows that the moral difference between the condition of the world before Christianity was planted, and since Christianity took root—is the difference between night and day, the kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of the devil.
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The cause of Christ does not need less working—but it does need among the workers, more praying.
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So long as you do not quarrel with sin—you will never be a truly happy man.
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Make it a part of every day's business to read and meditate on some portion of God's Word. Private means of grace are just as needful every day for our souls—as food and clothing are for our bodies.
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Doubting does not prove that a man has no faith—but only that his faith is small. And even when our faith is small, the Lord is ready to help us.
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We live in an age when there is a false glare on the things of time—and a great mist over the things of eternity!
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Let us serve Jesus faithfully as our Master.
Let us obey Him loyally as our King.
Let us study His teachings as our Prophet.
Let us work diligently after Him as our Example.
Let us look anxiously for Him as our coming redeemer of body, as well as soul.
But above all let us prize Him as our Sacrifice, and rest our whole weight on His death as atonement for sin. Let His blood be more precious in our eyes every year we live. Whatever else we glory in about Christ—let us glory above all things in His cross.
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The best of men are only men at their very best. Patriarchs, prophets, and apostles—martyrs, fathers, reformers, puritans—all are sinners, who need a Savior. They were holy, useful, honorable in their place—but sinners after all.
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Pride comes from not knowing yourself. The older you grow, and the more you see, the less reason you will find for being proud. Ignorance and inexperience are the pedestal of pride; once the pedestal is removed—pride will soon come down.
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Let it never surprise true Christians if they are slandered and misrepresented in this world. They must not expect to fare better than their Lord.
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The highest form of selfishness—is that of the man who is content to go to Heaven alone.
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The resurrection of Christ is one of the foundation stones of Christianity. It was the seal of the great work that He came on earth to do. It was the crowning proof that the ransom He paid for sinners was accepted, the atonement for sin accomplished, the head of him who had the power of death bruised, and the victory won!
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Churches may decay and perish; riches may make themselves wings and fly away—but he who builds their happiness on Christ crucified and union with Him by faith—that person is standing on a foundation which shall never be moved, and will know something of true peace.
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A zealous man feels that like a lamp—he is made to burn; and if consumed in burning, he has but done the work for which God appointed him. Such a one will always find a sphere for his zeal. If he cannot preach and work and give money—he will cry and sigh and pray.
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The powers of this world are only tools in the hand of God. He is always using them for His own purposes—however little they may be aware of it.
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What is the best safeguard against false doctrine?
The Bible—the Bible regularly read, regularly prayed over, regularly studied.
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