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

     The Word of God commands and encourages all true children of God to be faithful and true to Him as we rest in and follow Christ and His Word – “Moreover it is required in stewards (-believers, true servants of the Lord) , that a man be found faithful” (I Corinthians 4:2) . It tells us that our faithfulness is a gift of the Holy Spirit and the working of God’s grace and power within us – “Being confident of  this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ , ” (Philippians 1:6) . This shows us that the ground of our assurance of salvation and continuing unto final glory is not our faithfulness but HIS faithful to keep His promises given us in and by Christ Jesus. We are totally dependent upon the glorious truth that God promised in the everlasting  covenant grace to save all whom He has chosen to save and given to Christ – “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I...

     "Where a sincere love to Christ is in the heart, there will be obedience; "If a man love Me indeed, that love will be such a commanding and constraining principle in him, that, no question, he will keep My words."   Where there is true love to Christ, there is a value for His favor, a veneration for His authority, and an entire surrender of the whole man to His conduct and government.  Where love is, duty follows of course, is easy and natural, and flows from a principle of gratitude." -preacher Matthew Henry (1662-1714 A.D.)

"And if a son, then an heir of GOD through CHRIST."   -Colossians 4:7 [KJV] St. Paul’s rational conclusions are enough to put all the sophistry (- faulty reasoning ) of men and devils, to confusion; and to silence all the unscriptural objections of unbelief.    (1st.) If a son of God by adoption and grace; then no more a servant under the law , working to obtain the favour of God, righteousness, justification unto life, and salvation by obedience to the law: or to dread its curse and condemnation, for transgressions against it. This truth will try you, whether you have the disposition of a son of God, or not. If not, you will cry, O this is fine doctrine! It suits my lusts exceedingly well. If I am not made a son by my works, nor continued a son for my works: seeing I get no good by obeying the law, nor any evil by transgressing it: I will gratify my lusts. This is the real language of carnal nature, not of a regenerate soul. Such plainly evince, that they h...

"(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)" -Philippians 3:18, 19 [KJV] My soul! hast thou not felt somewhat of the affliction of the apostle, in beholding how the great mass of carnal men live, and for the most part die? Nay, who can look on and view it without tears? The apostle hath enclosed the view within parenthesis, and it were to be wished, that indeed it was no where to be found but in parenthesis. But, alas! the truth is too striking, too palpable, and meets the contemplative mind at too many entrances and passages through the world, not to shew that it is far more general than is imagined. By our apostacy from God, man, that was originally exalted above the whole creation, is sunk below the whole: for no creature of God, among the brutes that perish, ever...

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." -I John 5:7 [KJV]   A spiritual knowledge of the Trinity lies at the foundation of all vital godliness. To know Father, Son, and Holy Ghost by special teaching and divine revelation, is the sum and substance of spiritual religion, and is eternal life; according to the Lord's own testimony, John 17:3, "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." Thus, sooner or later, the Lord leads all His people into a feeling acquaintance with, and divine reception of this glorious mystery; and thus they come to know the Father's electing love, the Son's redeeming work, and the Spirit's inward testimony; and that these Three are One.    But how opposed to nature, sense, and reason is this glorious mystery; and how they all rise up in rebellion against it! How can Three ...