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

GODS GLORIOUS GOSPEL I once heard of an old-time preacher who when he was a young believer asked an older Christian: "What shall I read?" "Read the first eight chapters of the Epistle to the Romans," was the answer. He did so, and duly informed the older man asking, " What next?" "Read them again," came the reply. Once more the young man diligently perused these chapters, reported progress, then repeated his request for further guidance. "Read these eight chapters eight times over," counselled his senior friend. The young man did so and through time became a very powerful and effective preacher of the Gospel. He said he thanked God over and over again for that splendid start in his Christian life and that to him, Romans Chapter 1-8 were still unspeakably precious. If we were to read these chapters, we would see that they are filled with glorious Gospel truth.  Let´s look at a few verses from Chapter One. The first thing we notice ...

"Earnestly contend for THE FAITH which was once delivered unto the saints." -Jude 3 [KJV] When St. Paul was preaching the most important truths of the everlasting gospel at Corinth, he was brought before the judgment seat, and accused for his doctrine. Poor Gallio would not concern himself about the matter. He considered it all as a strife of words, and a contention about names. I will be no judge, says he. He cared for none of these things. His heart was totally unacquainted with the faith of God’s saints.  But art thou a partaker of like precious faith with the apostles? and canst thou be a Gallio too? Know, if thou wilt not contend for the faith, hell and earth are in arms, to contend against. What is the faith here spoken of?  (1st.) The doctrines of faith revealed in the word: the whole scheme of evangelical truths, inspired by the Spirit of God. These are received by faith: are the rule, the warrant, the support, and the glory and joy of faith. Such as the ...

"...within the vail, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus." -Hebrews 6:19, 20 [KJV] Pause over these words, my soul, this morning. Is the vail removed? Was the vail rent in twain, from the top to the bottom, in the hour that Christ died? And did Jesus, as thy High Priest, with all His blood, then enter into 'the place not made with hands, having obtained eternal redemption for us?' Did He enter too as thy forerunner?  Pause over this thought—it is a sweet one. Is Jesus still there? Nay, my soul, look in and see. He calls thee to look unto Him—nay, to follow Him, "...having boldness to enter into the holiest by His blood, in the new and living way which He hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, His flesh."   And what canst thou see there? Within the vail of the Jewish temple there was the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant, and the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tabl...

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." -II Peter 1:10, 11 [KJV] I believe many of God's people, if not most, have much ado to "make their calling and election sure." They are not a people to take things for granted; they cannot sit at ease and say, "I have no doubt that I am a child of God;" they want something powerful, something applied, something spoken by the mouth of God Himself; and short of that, they must be exercised with doubts and fears as to their state before Him.  Now let conscience speak; let us turn over the leaves of conscience. What says that faithful witness? Has God spoken with power to your soul? Has He pardoned your sins? Has He given you a sweet testimony of your interest in the Son of His lov...