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

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." -II Timothy 3:5 [KJV] St. Paul says, The gospel is the power of God (Romans 1:16,) and, Christ is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:24.) and, that our faith standeth in the power of God (I Corinthians 2:5.) Hence it is plain, that godliness is of a powerful nature upon the soul. It consists not in form and shadow, not in notion and speculation, but in the real enjoyment of Christ in the heart, and in an experimental knowledge of the grace of the gospel, through faith. It is the grand concern of every living and lively member of Christ, to enjoy more of the light, life, liberty, and power of Christ and His gospel.  While those who have only the form of godliness, are content in their heads—are clear in the notion of divine truths—if they can but see a harmony and consistency in the plan of salvation—give good account of the doctrines of grace—talk fluently about them, and con...

" People who experience little sense of personal wickedness at the time (of their original conversion experience, coming to Christ) often become increasingly conscious of unworthiness as they mature in their Christian life.  It is a growing experience.  Paul began as the “least of the apostles,” though an important individual because an apostle (I Corinthians 15.9) .  Later he described himself as the “least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3.8) , yet, as a saint, enormously privileged.  But finally he had to confess himself the chiefest of sinners (I Timothy 1.15)." -preacher Arthur Custance

" I shall discharge him from this duty [ of mortification ] who can bring sin to a composition, to a cessation of arms in this warfare; if it will spare him any one day, in any one duty ( provided he be a person that is acquainted with the spirituality of obedience and the subtlety of sin ), let him say to his soul, as to this duty, “Soul, take thy rest.” The saints, whose souls breathe after deliverance from its perplexing rebellion, know there is no safety against it but in a constant warfare." -preacher John Owen

" Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life." -I Timothy 6:12 [KJV] Soldiers of an earthly monarch are regularly enlisted to fight under his banner: they wear his livery, and are furnished by him with arms. In a day of battle, they prove their courage and faithfulness. So the Captain of our salvation chooses and enlists His own soldiers. He puts on them a livery, whereby they are known to His enemies. He puts an armour on them, and weapons into their hands. From the moment they enlist under Him, they enter the field of battle. There is never any peace with the enemy.  The fight is the good fight of faith. The prize is eternal life. The daily word of command is, fight. Stand to your arms. Give no quarter to the enemy. Beware of the least truce with them, for the danger is great, the effects will prove awful. It is a good fight. It is in a good cause: under a good captain, who gives good encouragement, and has assured us of certain victory over the wo...

"My son, be strong in the grace that is in CHRIST JESUS." -II Timothy 2:1 [KJV] St. Paul had known what it was to be strong in vain confidence and self-righteous hopes: to be strong in rage and persecution against Christ and His people. But his soul had severely smarted for that. Now Christ had taken possession of his heart. He was all in all to him. He thought he could never enough recommend Him and His grace to his dear friends. O let us imitate him.  (1st.) The grace that is in Christ Jesus. Because of our low, mean, scanty thoughts of His rich grace, we are low in courage against our enemies, and weak in the comforts of our souls. Know, there is much more in this, than many weak Christians suppose, who unscripturally think Christ came into the world, to procure some grace for us, that He puts it into us, as men do seeds in a hot-bed, but leaves us to be faithful to it, and so to secure our own salvation. What kind of grace is this? Not saving grace. If this ...

" The heirs of promise." -Hebrews 6:17 [KJV] Consider, (1st.) An heir of promise, is one who has no just right, or legal title, to an inheritance; but as it is ensured to him, by the promise of the owner: just so the Lord makes sinners, who have no right, or title, to this heavenly inheritance, a free promise that they shall be heirs to it.  (2d.) When was this promise made? Before the world began, God who cannot lie, promised eternal life (see Titus 1:2.)   (3d.) To whom could the promise be made, seeing man was not then created? It was not made to man, but for man: not for any thing in man: nor does the promise receive any stability, by any thing done by men. It was made in the eternal council and covenant, by God the Father, to His co-equal Son; for and in behalf of all the heirs of God.  (4th.) Who are the heirs of promise? God knows every one of them. We know their name: it is sinner. In the fulness of time, He makes them manifest, and they have blessed...

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done”   (Titus 3:5).   A very young believer was in deep distress. He went to his pastor, a man wise in the faith, and told him, “No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try to obey, I simply cannot seem to be faithful enough to my Lord. I wonder if I am truly saved.” The pastor saw his dog lying on the floor and gave the young believer the following lesson.  “Do you see this dog? He is my dog. He is house-trained, he never makes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me. Out in the kitchen I have a son, a baby son. He makes a mess; he throws his food around, he fouls his clothes; he is a total mess. But who is going to inherit my things? Not my dog; my son is my heir.” If you trust in Christ, even with little faith, you are Jesus Christ’s heir because it is for you that He died and rose again. Brethren, we are heirs of Christ, not through our perfection but by HIS perfection, not by our works but by H...