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

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. " —I John 5:21 [KJV]   Idolatry is founded in ignorance of Jesus, the true God, and eternal life. None are spiritual worshippers of God but believers in Jesus. There are many idols in the world, suited to the pride and lusts of our corrupt nature. These we are cautioned against. But, in reading this very exhortation, the idol of free-will is ready to present itself; as though disciples, by their own power, were to keep themselves. This notion opposes the Spirit and power of Jesus and springs from that grand idol, pride. Pride introduces the idol of self-righteousness. This blinds the eye to the glory of the righteousness of Christ, freely imputed by God, through faith. Thus this trinity of idols, free-will, pride, and self-righteousness, are in unity with each other.    By the simple faith of Jesus, we are daily to guard our hearts against all their specious pretensions. So also, every outward object suited...

"He shewed unto them His hands and His side" -John 20:20 [KJV]   My Lord and my God I would say, while Thou openest to me such a view, and while I would look into and read thine heart in it. And what was such a display designed for, dearest Lord? I think Thou hast taught me to discover. Was it not as if Jesus had said, 'See here the marks of your sure redemption. From hence issued the blood that hath cleansed you from all sin. And this blood hath a voice. It is a speaking blood, which speaketh better things than that of Abel. For his blood cried for vengeance, Mine for pardon. It speaketh for thee to My Father of His covenant promises. And it speaketh to thee from My Father of thy sure acceptance in My salvation.'- Neither was this all.   For surely, dearest Jesus, when Thou shewedst Thine hands and Thy side, it was also as if Thou hadst said, I see here an opening to My heart. Here put in all you wish to tell My Father, and I will bear it to Him with a...

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." -John 12:32 [KJV]   Wherever Jesus is graciously and experimentally manifested to the soul, and made known by any sweet revelation of His glorious Person, atoning blood, and finished work, a secret yet sacred power is put forth, whereby we are drawn unto Him, and every grace of the Spirit flows toward Him as towards its attractive centre. Thus Jeremiah speaks of the saints of God as coming and singing in the height of Zion, and flowing together to the goodness of the Lord (Jeremiah 31:12) . And thus Isaiah speaks to the church of God, "Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear [or as the word rather means, shall 'palpitate' with love and joy] , and be enlarged" (Isaiah 60:5) .   This view of Christ by faith is what the apostle speaks of to the Galatians, as Jesus evidently set forth before their eyes (Galatians 3:1) . As thus set before our eyes, He be...