"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

The Gospel Believer , Part II Christ Is All and In All — Colossians 3:11 Have you ever felt that, as a follower of Christ, you are a complete failure? In this scenario you have 2 choices- 1). Quit. 2). Learn to believingly preach the Gospel to yourself!   What do I mean by preaching the Gospel to yourselves?   I mean that we should continually remind ourselves that our acceptance in Heaven is neither because of us nor because of our works or successes. Our acceptance in Heaven is because of the person and work of another ... the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not the centre of all things.  Jesus is and it’s the Father’s verdict on Christ that is of central importance! And what is the Father’s verdict? His verdict on Christ is, “ This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased ” (Matthew 3:17) . That is why today believers are, Accepted in the Beloved One (see Ephesians 1:6) . And that means you!  You may be dejected and distressed when you look at yourself but...

" Above all, taking the shield of faith." -Ephesians 6:16 [KJV] When Christ has the heart, it will say, If I can see nothing of Christ in the text, that text is nothing to me. Here is a shield of defence. What is it? A mere assent of the mind? A cold consent of the tongue, to some certain propositions? Is this the shield of faith, which will cover my head, and defend my heart in the day of battle? Is it believing a system of doctrines, without having the heart warmed with love, or the life influenced by the power of them, that the apostle exhorts me above all to take?  O no, nothing less is this shield of faith than Christ, precious Christ. Never, never have any idea of faith, without including its Author and Object . Otherwise it is a mere non-entity: a notion which has no real existence but in fancy. When we hear people insist, that faith is our righteousness—that faith is imputed to us for righteousness, we are led to think they take up, and are in love with ...

"They shall revive as the corn." -Hosea 14:7 [KJV] Sweet promise to comfort a soul like mine, under so many and such frequent languishing graces! How often hath it appeared to my view as if the gracious seed had perished! It was small, indeed, in its first beginning, like the grain of mustard seed; and no sooner had it appeared, than I perceived it almost choked with the tares of corruption, unbelief, and Satan's rubbish. I was soon led to suspect God's work upon my soul.  Surely, I said, This is not grace. Presently I could see no more of it. I was ignorant that by thus dying to self, the Holy Ghost was opening to my view the only living in Jesus. In a moment unlooked for, it revived as the corn. Ah, from whence is the source? Not from self, not from labours, not from exertions: can dead roots live? The Holy Ghost taught me this must be Jesus. Your life, He said, is hid with Christ in God. Here are the springs of grace: here, from hence, flow the stre...

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace ." -Romans 8:6 [KJV] One of the most blessed marks of regenerating grace and the sure fruit of the love of God shed abroad in the heart, is that spiritual-mindedness of which Paul declares, it is "life and peace." "To be spiritually-minded," to live and walk under the blessed power and influence of the Holy Spirit, to have the heart and affections drawn up from this poor, vain scene to where Jesus sits at the right hand of God, this is "life," the life of God in the soul, with all its present blessedness and all its future glory, and "peace," for peace and rest are alone to be found in this path of union and communion with a glorified Redeemer. In this sweet spirituality of mind, in these heavenly affections, and in this intercourse with the Lord at His own throne of grace, the life and power of godliness much consist. We trust we know,...