When I come before God, I will have no regrets that I studied the Bible too much! As I grow older, my regrets are that I have not studied it more. The Word of God is the one sure commentary on the words of men. There is only one Book that is the Book of God though there be many other books. I am sure that I have gotten many errors from books about the Bible but I have never gotten any errors from the Bible! Solomon wisely wrote, “And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ec 12:12) Only with the Bible is the Author present and He alone can open to us His true meaning. I say “meaning” in the singular because the Book concerns One, the Lord Jesus Christ! He must be our Teacher as He taught the early disciples: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Lu 24:27) “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,” (Lu 24:44-45) Our laziness of spirit and natural enmity to God is often demonstrated in the fact that we turn first to see what men have written on a subject rather than first to the scriptures to see what God has written! This we can be assured of, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Ti 3:16-17) Let us not be as the Pharisees but rather “search the scriptures” with the words of the old hymn writer being our prayer: “Spirit of God my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me.”

GS

"Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world."

The believer loves relatives and friends in the world, he loves and pities all people of the world, he loves the blessings of fellowship and the good things that God gives to us and enables us to enjoy in the world; but he does not love the world nor the things of the world ABOVE GOD AND CHRIST. He doesn't take satisfaction or contentment in them, or make idols of them, or prefer them to heavenly and spiritual things! His citizenship and interests are in the kingdom of God. His true family is the family of God, and he knows that the fashion of this world passes away. He prefers nothing and no one in this world to Christ.

If a man's affections and interests are set upon the world, the things of the world, and the companionship of worldly people, it is clearly evident that he does not have the love of God in him. No man can serve two masters. (II Tim. 2:19; Luke 14:25-33)

Henry Mahan

The book of life, or decree of election, is the marriage-register of the saints; in which their everlasting espousal to Christ stands indelibly recorded by the pen of God's free and eternal love. AS the gold of which money is made is the king's property ever before it is struck into coin, and before it visibly bears the royal image and superscription; so the unregenerate elect are God's own heritage, though they do not appear to be such, until the Holy Spirit has made them pass through the mint of effectual calling, and actually stamped them into current coin for the kingdom of Heaven. The elect are betrothed to Christ from everlasting in the covenant of grace; they are actually married to Him, and join hands with Him, in conversion; but they are not taken home to the bridegroom's house until death dismisses them from the body.

Augustus Toplady

The measure of grace demonstrated in our giving is not measured by how much we give but by how much we keep. To whom much is entrusted, much is required.

GS

We live in a world where all things are temporal and passing away. That man must be blind indeed who cannot realize this. Everything around us is decay, dying, and coming to an end. "Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me." We are all going, whether high or low, rich or poor, old or young. We are all going and shall soon be gone.

copied

HOW GOD IS KNOWN

We cannot know the living God

Apart from Christ alone.

And He who is the Truth Himself,

By gospel truth is known.

Be gone all thoughts of knowing Him

Through vision, mind or sight.

His Spirit must by truth reveal

In us His saving light.

Tis not through Satan’s half a lie

We see Christ face to face;

Nor by man’s stories greatly told

Can we know of His grace.

A just God and a Savior He

Forever does abide;

And none can answer to His claims

But Christ the Crucified.

His people after they have heard

The word of truth to them;

In Christ shall trust and surely find

Salvation theirs in Him.

The word of righteousness alone

The conscience can relieve;

God satisfied, we justified

His promise we believe.

8.6 8.6