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

" In whomsoever the old man is not crucified with Christ, let him think what he will of himself, he is a servant of sin.  If he have not received virtue from the death of Christ, if he be not wrought unto a conformity to Him therein, whatever else he may do or attain, however he may in any thing , in many things, change his course and reform his life, he serves sin, and not God ... If we expect to be freed from the service of sin by its own giving over to press its dominion upon us [*in other words, if we think for a moment that sin is going to surrender its reign in our members] , or by any composition with it, or any other way but by being always killing or destroying of it, we do but deceive our own souls. -preacher John Owen

Storms, Sinking Ships and the Sleeping Saviour , Part II   by D.G. Miles McKee   Just to recap on our story, the disciples have followed Jesus straight into a storm and has gone to sleep (see Mark 4). The disciples start to panic and they waken Jesus with the cruelest of words, “Don’t you care that we are about to perish?” Then, in one of the great biblical scenes, the creator of the universe arises from His sleep, stretches Himself to His full height and rebukes the storm by calling out “Peace be still” or in one word “HUSH!”  Suddenly, the wind got quiet, the waves got quiet and even big Peter got quiet.  The disciples knew they were in the presence of majesty.  It’s no wonder they asked, “Behold what manner of man is this that even the winds and the waves obey Him?”   It’s no wonder they were amazed; Jesus had just given them a revelation of His deity! There are so many applications that can be made from this passage of scripture but for o...

" And because ye are sons, GOD hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father ." -Galatians 4:6 [KJV] It is the peculiar glory of gospel grace, that sinners are made sons of God. Here is the joyful knowledge of it, by the Spirit. Here is the precious boldness of children to God, my Father. The glory of the whole Trinity is in this verse, Lord help us to consider—the Spirit—His cry—and where He cries.  (1st.) The Spirit. Mind, He is called the Spirit of Christ, the Son of God. For He comes to us from Christ, His office is to testify of Christ, to glorify Him; for He takes of the things of Christ, and shews them to us (John 16:14.) He convinces us of sin: our want of righteousness: gives us a right judgment of Christ, and His work for our salvation: leads us to Christ, begets us to a lively hope in Him, and becomes to our souls, a spirit of adoption, because we are the sons of God, by faith in Christ.  Then, (2d.) He gives us a cry. He...

"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 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 have not the genuine love of a s...

[Mortification] may be so called because of the violence of that contest which the soul is put unto in this duty.  All other duties that we are called unto in the course of our obedience may be performed in a more easy, gentle, and plain manner.  Though it is our work and duty to conflict with all sorts of temptations, yea, to wrestle with “principalities and powers, and spiritual wickednesses in high places,” yet in this which we have with ourselves, which is wholly within us, there is more of warring, fighting, captivating, wounding, crying out for help and assistance, a deep sense of such a violence as is used in taking away the life of a mortal enemy, than in any thing else we are called unto. -preacher John Owen

" Wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son." -Galatians 4:7 [KJV] Why does St. Paul tell believers this, seeing he had in the former verse said, that the Spirit assured their hearts of it? We hence plainly see the necessity of the outward word of reconciliation, as well as the inward testimony of the Spirit: and if the witness of the Spirit within does not accord to the testimony of the word without, we do well to suspect it. Besides, from the working of a legal spirit, the prevailings of unbelief, the raging of corrupt lusts, an undue attention to the things of this life, and the accusations of Satan, children of God are prone to live below their glorious state and inestimable privilege.  Hence, our loving heavenly Father has not the joy of our hearts, nor the glory of our lives. We do not always, as commanded, rejoice in Christ, our dear elder Brother. Therefore, St. Paul reminds, “thou art no more a servant.” Consider, (1st.) what means he by a servan...

"And ye are complete in Him." -Colossians 2:10 [KJV] Holy Paul has but one object in view. He aims to bring all Christians to one point, even to be happy and joyful in one Saviour. As in Christ all the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily, so His disciples should see, that they are complete in Him. O how do we labour and toil, vex and perplex our hearts from day to day, for want of clearly seeing, and simply believing this. Consider, (1st.) The assertion. St. Paul does not here exhort, be ye complete, but affirms, “ye are complete.” Not, ye shall be complete hereafter, when you have obtained stronger faith, greater love, and done more good works: but, “ye are complete” now, at this present moment. Do not think you want any thing in yourselves, to make you complete; but know and rejoice, ye are full, complete and perfect in Christ, your Head. For ye are members of Him; and being one in Him, all His perfection is yours. This is the glory of faith. Here is the comfo...