Birthdays: Kathryn Wages - Aug. 19th. , Mariel Moore - Aug. 20th.
GROWTH IN GRACE
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)
Growing in grace is directly connected to growing in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The more we know of HIM whom to know is life eternal, the more we grow in grace. Growing in grace, however, does not change the Gospel we know and believe. It does not change the Christ upon whom we stand as our complete and eternal Savior. As I grow in grace, I do not grow away from Christ, but I grow into Him as God the Holy Spirit continually conforms me to Christ. Even though I am to strive to grow in grace, my growth in grace is ALSO by grace and not by my own power and efforts. Any growth I experience in knowledge, attitude, or behavior is no part of the righteousness by which God has justified me. Christ alone is my righteousness before God. As I grow in grace I see my sinfulness more and more, but I also see the glory of Christ, the power of His blood, and the value of His righteousness for me more and more. The Word of God is instrumental in my growth as the Holy Spirit guides me and opens my understanding more and more to the glory of Christ and what He alone accomplished for me in His obedience unto death. -Pastor Bill Parker
It is a noble task for us to examine ourselves, but don't be found among those who examine themselves to the point of losing sight of Christ. Some inspect their hearts for sin and find themselves so vile they imagine they are beyond salvation. This is unbelief. Some feast their eyes upon their supposed spiritual graces and boast in what God has enabled them to do. This is self-righteousness. All self-examination should lead us to have no confidence in the flesh and all confidence in Christ.
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NO MIXED GARMENT
"Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woolen and linen together." (Deut. 22:11)
Who should have thought that such a precept as this of Moses had a gospel signification! And yet as Christ was preached under types and figures though the whole law, we may reasonably suppose that not a single command was then given but what had an eye to Him and His great salvation. If we find the Lord so strict respecting the outward dress of the body, what may we conclude the Lord would enjoin respecting the inward clothing of the soul? If woolen and linen were offensive to be worn together, surely, we cannot appear before God in motley dress of Jesus' righteousness and our own. The fine linen, scripture saith, is the righteousness of saints. With this, which Jesus put on His people, nothing our own woolen garments must be worn. The righteousness of a creature, had we any, which in fact we have none, cannot be suited to mix with the righteousness of the Creator. And no man that is wise for salvation would put the old piece of our corrupt and worn out nature upon the new garment of the renewed nature in Christ Jesus. When therefore the Lord saith, "Thou that shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts;" my heart replies, 'No, Lord! Let me be clothed with the robe of righteousness, and the garment of Thy salvation; then shall I be found suited for the marriage supper, when the King comes in to see His guests at His table.'
-Robert Hawker
To suppose that whatever God requires of us that we have power of ourselves to do, is to make the cross and grace of Jesus Christ of none effect.
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