As we look around us at the blatant wickedness and immorality of the day, let us guard against the tendency to self-righteousness. If we have not been guilty of such things that shock our sensitivities, it is not because it is not natural to us or possible of us. We still have the nature of sin and the bent toward sinning. The only reason we have not done these things and worse is because of God’s restraining grace! We have no reason to boast but every reason to be thankful for His mercies to us! As one said, “There goes me but for the grace of God.” Gary Shepard
AN EXCERPT FROM A LETTER BY WILLIAM TIPTAFT
The world and Satan hate believers. The Pharisees hate me the most. I cut off all their rotten props, and all their fleshly devotion!
It is not coming near to the truth, it is not the 'mere letter' of the gospel, that will convert men; but the Holy Spirit. Make the Word of God your study. Pin your faith to no man's views! I scarcely read any other book. Beware of those who want to exalt man in any manner.
Yours very affectionately, William Tiptaft, Jan. 30th, 1830
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Timothy 3:1
The “perilous times” in which we live should also remind us of the promised blessing associated with them. First, this means it is the “last days.” Time soon comes to a close, the purpose of God is all fulfilled and something glorious takes place. The King comes in glory! The hour of both His and our vindication is near. The hour of His appearing draws nigh. The hour of His receiving us unto Himself. Let us be encouraged, watchful and diligent. As Kelly wrote in his old hymn:
“Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving
To Thyself, and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving
Promised joys with Thee.
Then we shall be where we would be,
Then we shall be what we should be,
Things that are not now, nor could be,
Soon shall be our own.”
Gary Shepard
BAPTISM - A BELIEVER’S CONFESSION
Baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior. By submitting to baptism, a sinner saved by grace confesses and acknowledges three things:
1. As Christ was not ashamed to be identified with His people by His death in our stead, in baptism the believer publicly aligns with the Savior and the true gospel of sovereign grace.
2. As the confessor is passive in the act of baptism, dependent on another to bring him up out of the water, so he was passive in the salvation of his soul. In baptism we acknowledge, "Salvation is of the LORD." The Lord chose, redeemed, regenerated, preserves and will glorify His people.
As the confessor rises up out of the water, he confesses that Christ was raised again because His justice-satisfying death forevermore put away our sins and established a justifying righteousness for all His people.
Jim Byrd
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