It is true that I have sin in me, but it is pardoned. God has forgiven me all trespasses. I stand before Him in my Redeemer, Who undertook for me, and I am perfect in Him. The Father chose me in His Son: He looks upon the face of His beloved, and sees me in Him. In Christ He is well pleased, so He is with me! As He loves Christ - He loves me! This is the glorious privilege which by faith I now enjoy. I deny sight and sense, and I believe the Word of God! I adhere strictly to the Word of God concerning me, believing myself to be dead indeed unto sin in Christ, and in Him absolutely freed from guilt and condemnation. The Father is at peace with me, and He loves me in His son, with the same love with which He loves Christ - His Father and my Father. With this persuasion I go to war with my corruption. They are fighting against everything that is dear and precious to my soul. But having the promised grace of the almighty Savior for my help, I desire to set upon them in His name. I am at war with sin but at peace in Christ!
-William Romaine (1714-1795)
BUYING WITHOUT MONEY AND WITHOUT PRICE
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isaiah 55:1)
Many of you may have heard or read the acronym of the word "GRACE" which goes like this - G (God's) R (Riches) A (At) C (Christ's) E (Expense). Redemption, even salvation itself, costs us nothing. The price is too high for sinners like us, and, as the prophet said, we have no money. We have no goodness or righteousness by which to pay for our salvation. We have no power or will to desire salvation God's way in Christ. Therefore, if we are to buy it and take possession of it, it will have to be with someone else's money (goodness, righteousness, and power). We find this only in the glorious Person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He paid the price of redemption for all His people, and the price was His own precious blood. In return, all for whom He died, all who come to Him by faith seeking salvation, receive the riches of God's grace in Him. Our costs is not a cost of redemption but only a cost of discipleship as we repent of and discard all that denies or rivals Christ and the glory of God's grace in Him. The cost of discipleship is no payment we make by which we earn or deserve God's favor and blessings. Christ alone earned all favor and blessings from God for us.
-Pastor Bill Parker
CAST THY BURDEN UPON THE LORD
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain Thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22)
God will never suffer the righteous to be moved from their hope. There is also a holy boldness and sweet familiarity between a righteous Lord, and such righteous souls. As He has clothed them with the garments of salvation, they have always a sympathizing friend in their hours of trouble to flee to. This is the hope that supports them. Jesus will support their weak souls, and sustain their heavy burdens; they cannot sink, though they may be often ready to faint. But why is this? Truly we are apt to struggle with this difficulty, and toil with the other load upon our poor minds, instead of casting all upon Jesus who careth for us. Sense opposeth faith, hence Jesus is forgotten, and the mind remains troubled. But here is the wisdom and glory of faith; whenever we feel our souls are bowed down on any account, to refer all our griefs, and cast or roll all our burdens off from our own minds upon Jesus, and simply to cry out with Hezekiah, ‘Oh Lord, I am oppressed, undertake for me, Isaiah 38:14.
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