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

" There is one body, and one Spirit..." -Ephesians 4:4 [KJV] St. Paul exhorts saints to a holy, loving, peaceful walk. He knew nothing could effect this, like the consideration, that they all composed one body, of which the holy, loving, peaceful Jesus is the Head. While the power of this truth lives in the heart, love prevails in holiness before God and peace with our brethren. Then, in sweet fellowship, we say, with Abraham to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee—for we are brethren” (Genesis 13:8.)   There is one body. Saith our Lord Jesus, “A body hast Thou prepared Me” (Hebrews 10:5.) As Christ had a natural body, formed by the power of the Holy Ghost, which He was to inhabit, in which He was to atone for sin, fulfil all righteousness, and make intercession for transgressors; so He has also a mystical body, chosen and given Him by God the Father: in and over all these He is Head. This is a sweet word. “God gave Christ to be Head ...

"Let him alone, and let him curse; for the L ORD hath bidden him. It may be that the L ORD will look on mine affliction; and that the L ORD will requite me good for his cursing this day." -II Samuel 16:11, 12 [KJV] My soul, see here a believer in his best frame. To be sure, it is not always thus with a child of God; but it were to be devoutly desired always thus to be. But while we admire the faith, let us yet more admire and adore Him, and His grace and mercy Who gives it. Oh what a blessed state it is to eye the hand of the Lord in every thing. When Shimei thus cursed David, he passeth by the instrument, and recognizeth the hand of the Lord in the appointment. "Let him alone, for the L ORD hath bidden him." Sin is at the bottom. The Lord doth not correct for naught. How unjust so ever on the part of man, it is both just and right on the part of God. And observe, moreover, the comfort he takes to himself out of it. If my God bid my enemy distre...

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” -John 15:8 [KJV] When the Lord Jesus Christ was upon the earth He was in a suffering state; and to this suffering image must all His people be conformed. In that suffering state He brought glory to God, and is now exalted to the right hand of the Father. So those who suffer with Him will be also glorified together; and glorious indeed they will be, for they will shine like the stars forever and ever, resplendent in the glorified image of the Son of God. The apostle therefore says, “When Christ Who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” The Lord did not assume angelic nature. He therefore did not adorn or beautify it; but by assuming our nature, the flesh and blood of the children into union with His own divine Person, He invested it with surpassing luster. This is the foundation on which a redeemed sinner brings glory to God, not in himself, but as being...