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

  Doing the Works of God? by D.G. Miles McKee Shortly after the feeding of the 5,000, the Lord Jesus was confronted by a group of eager religionists who zealously asked, " What must we do that we might work the works of God?  (John 6:28). Christ’s reply is very telling.  He replies,  "This is the work of God that you believe on Him Who He has sent."  (John 6:29). Why complicate it?  To believe, (rest and trust) in Christ, is to do the work of God.  “Now to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance,” in spiritual terms there are two types of work.  There is first the work through which people attempt to earn God’s favour by doing good things. By the way, there is nothing wrong with doing good things, but to attempt to use them as a bargaining chip with Heaven is a matter of wickedness and folly.  Nevertheless, the religionist feels there is something he must do to turn God’s heart towards him. But listen again to what Jesus say...

"...t hat in all things He might have the pre-eminence." -Colossians 1:18 [KJV] We cannot be happy, till this truth is brought into the experience of our hearts. The regenerate soul is ever at war with the flesh, for it opposes the pre-eminence of Christ. And is also at war against the proud notions of profane, as well as self-righteous men, who reject Christ our precious Head, from having the pre-eminence in the salvation of the body. They put Him in subordination in many things, instead of giving Him the pre-eminence in all things.  When our Lord says, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,” (John 5:17,) some self-sufficient sinners become bold intruders, and add, “Lo we work also, and our works must have some part in our salvation.” Well, it will be so, till the law of works, which has the pre-eminence in their hearts, kills their legal hopes and self-righteous confidence. Soul, can you say with St. Paul, “I, through the law, am dead to the law?” (Galatia...

"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." -Romans 5:9 [KJV] All heresies are founded in pride, and spring from ignorance and unbelief of the Lord’s word. Some strike at the glory of the free grace of God. Others at the divinity of the Son of God. Others at His atonement and righteousness, whereby our sins are pardoned, our persons justified, and final perseverance to eternal glory is secured to every believer. St. Paul, under the influence of that Spirit, who foresaw every heresy which would spring up, divide the church, dishonour Christ, and distress His members, here sets himself against that pernicious heresy, That souls once justified and pardoned by the blood of Christ, may afterwards perish, under the wrath of God.  (1st.) What is meant by being justified by the blood of Christ? Just the reverse of being condemned for sin by the law. For His blood takes away sin, which is the cause of condemnation. Christ...

I Kings xxi.20,   "And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?"   Ungodly men often count faithful ministers to be their enemies, when indeed they are their truest friends.  We should count him our benefactor who has the courage to tell us unpleasant truth.  " And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the L ORD ." Had it not been for his iniquity, Elijah would not have troubled the king; but because Ahab offended the Lord, therefore Elijah offended him.  In our ministry, if men’s consciences are touched, they ought not to blame the preacher, but their sins.

"... by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." -II Corinthians 6:7 [KJV] What sign shewest Thou? Shew us a miracle, and we will believe You are inspired, says an evil and adulterous generation. A sign and a miracle! Why, every regenerate soul is both a sign and a wonder to carnal men. They are born from above—They live above—their views, end, and aims are to things above. They study to approve themselves to God, Who is above. These words, though peculiarly applicable to the ministers of Christ, yet are true also of every disciple of Christ. He studies to approve himself,  (1st.) by the word of truth . What is that? Where is that to be found? God’s book, the Bible. O the Bible! Say some weak heads, and deceived hearts, the letter of scripture is not God’s word. Find a surer testimony of God, and from God, if you can. We will be content to fix our faith upon this word of truth, for it testifies of ...

" Kiss the Son." -Psalm 2:12 [KJV] A short command. For brevity, like the poesy of a ring: but comprehensive, like the book of God. For it compriseth all that the Scriptures require of us, and promise to us. It means, that we live in holy love, and walk in sweet friendship with the Son of God. For, (1st.) a kiss is a token of reconciliation. Kiss and be friends, is a common proverb. “The kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6.) Christ has experienced this, by the kiss of Judas. Though sinners against Christ, yet He loved us: though enemies to Him, yet He died for us. The belief of this love destroys our enmity. The breach between God and us is made up. We are reconciled to God, and have peace with Him, through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1.) How did reconciling grace operate upon the heart of that vile sinner, Mary? She kissed her Lord’s feet, while, with tears of penitential sorrow, she washed them (Luke 7:38.) O! give the reconciling Son of God, this...

" Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom." -Proverbs 4:7 [KJV] In Joseph’s visions, the sun, moon, and stars, made obeisance to him, and all the sheaves bowed to his sheaf (Genesis 37:7.) So wisdom is honoured and exalted above and beyond every thing beside. This wisdom is the Son of God, “to Whom every knee shall bow” (Philippians 2:10.) Jesus under the character of wisdom, is said to cry—to utter His voice—behold I will pour out My Spirit into you—and wisdom is said to enter into the heart (see Proverbs 1:20-23, and 2:10.) All this can be applied to none other but Christ, Who is of God “made unto us wisdom” (I Corinthians 1:30.)   He cries after us miserable sinners— He utters His voice of love to us—He pours out His Spirit upon us—He enters into our hearts, and dwells there by faith. This truly is the principal thing. This, infinitely above all others, demands the whole of our attention, labour and diligence. Get what we may, yet without this...