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

" Keep yourselves in the love of God." — Jude, vs. 21 [KJV]    The LOVE OF GOD, like every other attribute and perfection of Jehovah, is everlasting and unchangeable; even as the essence of God Himself. This love is manifested to His people in Christ Jesus; He is the object in Whom they are viewed and loved by the Father. As "Jesus is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever," so is God's love towards them. Time, with all its concurring circumstances, can make no alteration or change, increase or diminution herein. But as to the sense and enjoyment of this love, the word of truth and experience of saints plainly testify of its ebbing and flowing, its fervor and abatement in the soul. Hence the necessity of those tender calls, kind warnings, and loving counsels, addressed to believers, in the word of truth; because they are ever to be active as those who are made alive to God, and have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil. Exhortations excite...

" Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." — Hebrews 1:3 [KJV] What St. Paul says of the resurrection of Jesus,— II Corinthians 15 , may, with equal truth, be applied to His divinity. If Jesus be not truly and essentially the self-existing God, 'all preaching is vain; all faith is vain;' all the saints of God must perish in their sins. But we have not so learned Christ, if so be we have heard Him, and know the truth as it is in Jesus. His eternal power and Godhead angels adore, devils tremble at, saints rejoice in, and only poor, blinded, proud sinners dare cavil against and deny.  That Jesus is both Lord and God, lies at the foundation of our faith. That He upholds all things by the word of His power, is the joy of our hearts. That, as man, He hath purged our sins, causes all our hope and c...

The Priest Who Brings Us Near by D.G. Miles McKee   1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God,….” Let me ask you a question. Are you more conscious of your sins than you are of the fact that they have already been punished and taken away?  Too much focus on self is unhealthy! As gospel-centered believers, we need to concentrate, not on our sins, but on Jesus and the fact that He has already been punished for them. It is because of Christ and Him alone that we are forgiven, accepted and redeemed!  But there’s more. Not only has the Lord Jesus taken away our sins, He has also introduced us to the Father. (1 Peter 3:18)! This is exceedingly good news. We could never get to God by our frail, faulty and futile efforts, but Jesus, by His person and performance, and on our behalf, has succeeded where we failed.   And there’s even more good news to think about! He, the Lord Jesus, our Great High Priest,...

" God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ." — II Corinthians 4:6 [KJV]    This is a glorious confession of faith, worthy to be wrote in letters of gold, and set with the most precious jewels, and ever to be worn as the believer's ornament and glory. For here is the rich display of sovereign grace, and the glory of almighty power, in producing light in the hearts of sinners, who are by nature not only in the dark, but even darkness itself. The knowledge of Jesus is commanded by the same omnipotent Agent, Who called forth light in the beginning, upon this dark terraqueous globe. Light gladdens the whole creation of nature; and this spiritual light causeth joy in the soul; for it gives the knowledge of God's glory. In what respect? that God is glorious in majesty? O this strikes us with horror. Glorious in power? That fills us with terror. Glorious in h...

" Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also?" —Romans 4:9 [KJV]    "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." — Colossians 2:8 . Why this caution from the voice of inspiration? Our daily danger makes it expedient, "lest any man beguile you of your reward. Beware of men. Call no man Rabbi," saith thy Lord, lest any man judge against your privileges, impair your comforts, or distress your mind.   Here is every blessing to make poor sinners happy. Righteousness imputed without works; iniquities forgiven, and sins covered; sin not imputed. This trinity of blessings flow from the unity of free grace. Such blessedness COMETH, free as the air, unmerited as the light, comforting as the sun: possessed by the unworthy, enjoyed by the ill-deserving, sure to all the redeemed, the inestimably rich privileges of ...

" Turn, O ye backsliding children; for I am married to you, saith the L ORD ." — Jeremiah 3:14 [KJV]   When a child departs from an indulgent father, or a wife forsakes an affectionate husband, they, in effect, say, they have other objects with whom they are more delighted, and from whom they expect greater happiness. O backsliding soul! is such thy conduct towards the best of Fathers, the most affectionate bridegroom? Thy present practice loudly speaks this language, 'I have other lovers, and after them I will go.' Monstrous ingratitude! a child of special grace, and yet fly from thy most loving Father! a spouse of the most affectionate bridegroom, and yet be unchaste to thy rightful husband! Shocking carriage! Yet, O soul, hear and wonder, hear and love, love and be ashamed, be ashamed and return; for, marvellous grace! though thou hast broken thy marriage contract, forfeited the privileges of children, yet the relation continues. "I am married to you," (...

" If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth." —John 14:15, etc.     He would be a traitor and a rebel who should dare to set up his standard in England, and demand allegiance from the king's subjects, and require obedience to his commands, who had no right to the crown. So Jesus, if He is not KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS—the King of saints—the living and true God; but only a mere man, a Prophet mighty in word and in deed, a very good man, who taught the best morals, and set us a good example, as some proud, vain, ignorant creatures pretend; verily, if this were all, we, Christians, could see no goodness in Him. But He would be a bold usurper against the one eternal Jehovah, striving to alienate the affections of the heart, and the obedience of the life from GOD, whom ye are commanded to love and serve only.     Therefore, "If ye love He, k...