The difference between a lie and the truth depends on who tells it. Satan, in his deception of Eve, said to her concerning her sin against God: “Ye shall not surely die.” (Gen. 3:4) On the other hand, Nathan said to David after his sin in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah, “thou shalt not die.” (2 Sam.. 12:13) The words to Eve came from the “father of lies.” The words to David came from a man sent from God. To Eve came words from one who cannot tell the truth. To David came words from God who cannot lie. Eve was deceived in her transgression but David was forgiven of his. Men and women would do well to remember this and therefore seek to find out who’s talking to them in the messages and doctrines they have believed concerning their salvation from sin. Are they the words of Satan, a lie of his own devising or are they the truth of God? The Bible warns us that Satan and his messengers are transformed into “angels of light.” They appear to be one thing but are really another. Their message is a subtle deception that sets forth man’s works, will and worth as the basis upon which God will forgive and accept sinners. It is always man-centered, man-exalting and therefore damning. Satan’s false gospel always tells men to “do something and you will not die.” Though it may speak of grace and of Christ doing most of the work of salvation, it ultimately makes the determining factor to be an act or decision of man. The only way to discern the difference between this lie and the truth of God is the written Word of God! And men are blind to the truth of God’s word unless the Spirit of truth be their teacher. What was the difference between what Satan said and what Nathan said? It was this: Nathan said, “The LORD also hath put away thy sin;” How did the Lord put away David’s sin that he should not die if the “wages of sin is death” and the “soul that sinneth shall surely die?” He did it by the only just way, through Christ crucified. He appeared once and put away the sins of God’s people by the sacrifice of Himself for sin. He bore the full consequence of their sins in His own body on the tree. This is the message of truth. It has to do with what God did in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who preach the word of truth declare a finished work and can truthfully say to believing sinners, “God has put away your sin in Christ, you shall not die!”

Gary Shepard

In this world, the Lord’s people travel a path that lies somewhere between presumption and despair. Still being in this flesh, they tend at times toward one or the other. But though this is their case, they are kept by the power of God through faith unto a full and eternal salvation. He will keep us from falling and present us faultless before the throne of glory.

Gary Shepard

THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH

When the Lord God took Elijah up into heaven, Elisha took up the mantle of Elijah, smote the waters, and cried, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" (2 Kings 2:14). Where is He? He is in the heavens; He is in Christ Jesus; He is in His Word; He is on the throne of grace; He is in the midst of those who believe and worship Him; He is in every act of providence; He is in every breeze, every cloud, every moment, every heartache, every tear, every joy; He is in all who believe, for "Lo, I am with you always."

Henry Mahan

Man’s ignorance of himself and God lies in one thing: He thinks he is not so bad that he cannot do something to save himself and that God is not so good that He will not accept his efforts. He is wrong on both points.

Gary Shepard

If the preachers of truth propose it modestly, they are branded as cowards; if boldly, as insolent; but Wisdom is justified of her children.

Matthew Henry

Daring sinners will throw stones at heaven, though they return upon their own heads; and will strengthen themselvesse against the Almighty, though none ever hardened themselves against Him and prospered.

Matthew Henry

Ponder the amazing love exhibited in the death of Christ. Would you see the highest manifestation of eternal love? Then contemplate Christ crucified. Here is the grand exhibition of infinite love.In the crucifixion of the glorious Redeemer, the brightest love that ever shone on earth is displayed. What boundless love is seen here! copied

WORST THAN AN INFIDEL!

The apostle Paul minces no words when he describes all who abandon and do not provide for their own households: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 5:8) What provisions are necessary for one’s family? There is of course the need for food, clothing and shelter; but there is much more. One who provides for his own household provides love, kindness, encouragement, protection and their presence! To abandon one’s family is great cowardice and a demonstration of self-love! What does Paul say, such are “worse than an infidel.” An “infidel,” in the original as defined by Strong is “disbelieving, i.e. without Christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing):—that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever.” No matter what they profess, they are not only unbelievers, they are WORSE! They have “denied the faith.” It cannot be excused or justified by any who believe God’s word! I have seen it first hand and know the heartache and difficulties it brings. The worst thing is that all who profess to be believers and do it are saying that Christ can abandon and leave His family, His household. Perish the thought! He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”