If you have been a church goer for very long you most likely have heard a sermon proclaiming that a person is born again by having faith in Jesus Christ. However, this idea finds no support in the Holy Scriptures. It is true that a person must have faith in Jesus Christ to be saved or justified (Romans 3:22, 25, 26; Galatians 2:16). However, a person must be born again before he can receive the faith to be saved. And we played no more a part in being born again of the Spirit than we did being born initially of the flesh. How then is a person born again? The answer: A person is born again by a sovereign act of God’s grace. Continue reading
For Righteousness’ Sake
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 (ESV) Continue reading
Lean More
Let your cares drive you to God. I shall not mind if you have many of them if each one leads you to prayer. If every fret makes you lean more on the Beloved, it will be a benefit.
Charles Spurgeon
Ascend
“If thou wouldst ascend and come up to thy Lord God, thou must climb up by the wounds of his blessed humanity . . . and when thou art got up there, thou wouldst rather suffer death than willingly commit any sin.”
Robert Leighton
Religion
“It is true, religion in the souls of men is the immediate work of God, and all our natural endeavours can neither produce it alone, nor merit those supernatural aids by which it must be wrought: the Holy Ghost must come upon us, and the power of the Highest must overshadow us, before that holy thing can be begotten, and Christ be formed in us.”
Henry Scougal
Persuaded
“I am persuaded, O God, I am persuaded that I can never be happy, till my carnal and corrupt affections be mortified, and the pride and vanity of my spirit be subdued, and till I come seriously to despise the world, and think nothing of myself.”
Henry Scougal
Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 (ESV) Continue reading
Worth & Excellency
“The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love; he who loveth mean and sordid things doth thereby become base and vile; but a noble and well-placed affection doth advance and improve the spirit unto a conformity with the perfections which it loves.”
Henry Scougal