Thoughts on Scripture and life
for the glory of Jesus Christ
The Hero Who Risked All for a Whore
What’s unexpected about Christianity is that its great hero doesn’t risk all for a damsel but for a whore.
Seeing Heaven in the Face of Death
Thus, eternal life is the end and fulfillment of all good things, for which God has purchased us through his Son. This is the goal on which our gaze should be fixed throughout our earthly pilgrimage. This is the treasure that we should unceasingly desire. This is the hour and the blessing to which all the plans and efforts of our lives should be inclined. ...This is our true country, our permanent city, in which our citizenship has been acquired by the merit of the death of Jesus Christ. This is the home that we long for, amidst the banishments, the weariness, the dangerous fears of this valley of misery and the shadow of death. This is the safe refuge and the beautiful harbor toward which we sail amidst so many waves and storms that constantly trouble the world. This is the blessed land where we will dwell by means of death.
A Faith Fortified by the Word of God
Faith, as Paul declares (Eph 6:16), is our shield, which receiving these darts, either ward them off entirely, or at least breaks their force, and prevents them from reaching the vitals. Hence when faith is shaken, it is just as when, by the violent blow of a javelin, a soldier standing firm is forced to step back and yield only a little; and again when faith is wounded, it is as if the shield were pierced, but not perforated by the blow.
Christ, the Glorious Mediator
Moreover, it was especially necessary for this cause also that he who was to be our Redeemer should be truly God and man. It was his to swallow up death: who but Life could do so? It was his to conquer sin: who could do so save Righteousness itself?
![[Holiness, J. C. Ryle] On the Times of His Day](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/551d7a48e4b0404100ca62ba/1543709537630-DV5G0WPYAK8C3RN9B592/photo-1470229722913-7c0e2dbbafd3.jpeg)
[Holiness, J. C. Ryle] On the Times of His Day
There is an amazing ignorance of Scripture among many, and a consequent want of established, solid religion. In no other way can I account for the ease with which people are, like children, “tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14).
Bible Study During a Revival
I was the first to leave, sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 A.M., as I still had some preparation to do for my class at 8:00 A.M. the next morning. The pastor assured me that this was a fairly normal Wednesday evening."
Practical Strategies for Obedience
The Bible expects believers to live a life ordered by obedience. For example, the Apostle Peter matter-of-factly exhorts Christians to live such a life when he writes, "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy' " (1 Peter 1:14-16). Peter does not allow for disobedience in the life of a Christian because of the reality of indwelling sin. There are no legitimate excuses for compromise. Christians are commanded to obey God.
A Definition of and Manifestations of Pride
Pride is competitive toward others, and especially toward God. Pride wants to be on top. Thomas Watson is quoted to have said, “Pride seeks to ungod God.”
The Reformation Martyrs: John Hooper
There is a movement within "contemporary Evangelicalism" to join hands with Rome. Yes, there are professing Protestants who wish to partner with those against whom their spiritual forefathers once protested! Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox, and the rest, if they could see what was happening on earth, would be in a holy rage.
Beholden to the Providence of God
"We are beholding to this providence of obstructing sin for our lives, our families, our estates, our liberties, for whatsoever is or may be dear unto us; for may we not say sometimes, with the psalmist, "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the souls of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword" (Ps. 57:4)? "
Fix Your Eyes On the Cross of Christ
Shall we give entertainment unto that, or hearken unto its dalliances, which wounded, which pierced, which slew our dear Lord Jesus? God forbid! Fill your affections with the cross of Christ, that there may be no room for sin. The world once put him out of the house into a stable, when he came to save us; let us now turn the world out of doors, when he is come to sanctify us.
The Advantage of Examining Indwelling Sin
"It were wished that we would all apply our hearts more to this work {of searching our own souls for indwelling sin}, even to come to a true understanding of the nature, power, and subtlety of our adversary, that our souls may be humbled..."
Ignorance's False Hope and False Faith
John Bunyan's classic Pilgrim's Progress is a must-read for every Christian. Although Bunyan wrote in the 17th century, his characterization of people within the world is uncannily accurate. Herein is helpful wisdom for every saint navigating to the Heavenly Kingdom.
Below is the story of Ignorance, and his tragically false assurance of salvation. He stands for every religious person too ignorant to know that he is lost. Oh Lord, open the eyes of the blind.
To Every Man Who Will Die
Let us not have to say in a hesitating way one to another, "I trust he is happy; he talked so nicely one day; and he seemed so pleased with a chapter in the Bible on another occasion; and he liked such a person, who is a good man."
We Need the Word of God
After showing that the Church, from it's conception in the first century even to the modern day, has always believed that the Bible is the Word of God, B.B. Warfield asks the question, "Why? Why is it that Christians have always believed that the Word says, God says?" ...Of all doctrines that the Bible teaches, why has this truth stood with such fierce tenacity from the very beginning? B.B. Warfield explains.
Heaven's Humility
Do You Love Your Jesus?
…Love to the Lord Jesus Christ is no hidden, secret, impalpable thing. It is like the light — it will be seen. It is like sound — it will be heard. It is like heat — it will be felt. Where it exists it cannot be hid. Where it cannot be seen you may be sure there is none.
I Know Thy Works, Hypocrite
Oh! believe me, hypocrisy is a losing game. It will never answer to seem one thing and be another; to have the name of Christian, and not the reality. Be sure, if your conscience smites you and condemns you in this matter — be sure your sin will find you out.