Coming to God by Christ

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father, but by me” (John. 14:6).

Every man by nature is attempting to climb up to heaven on the broken ladder of works or trying to cross over the flood of God’s wrath on the fallen bridge of the law. But as sure as God is holy, all these attempts will fail; for, “by the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified in His sight.” (Romans 3:20).

God has established a bridge between heaven and earth by the OBEDIENCE, DEATH, and INTERCESSION of His eternal Son and every other way to heaven but this is blocked by the justice and holiness of God.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1983)

THE LORD DOTH PUT A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

“But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel” (Exodus 11:7).

I don’t suppose there is a greater example of the difference that God makes, than the one of the two thieves crucified next to Christ on Calvary’s mountain. Both thieves hung an equal distance from the Lord Jesus on their prospective crosses. Both had heard, seen and experienced all the things that had transpired in the hours before their death. Both men were desperately wicked. Both were suffering painfully and profoundly. Both men had disrespectfully reviled against the blessed Savior. Both of them were dying. Both of these notoriously wicked criminals needed forgiveness. Yet one was shown mercy and the other died hardened and unrepentant.

What made the difference? Paul clarifies that question by asking, “For WHO makes one to differ from another?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). It was God WHO made the difference. If there is any difference made in sinners, it will be the sovereign Lord who makes it. This crucified thief had lived no life of morality beforehand, and he would certainly have no active life of godly service afterward. He had never respected the law of man or the law of God. He had performed no good work that would recommend God’s mercy and grace toward him. The only difference was the difference that God’s grace and mercy in Christ made. How could anyone deny that salvation is of the Lord? If you could ask Pharaoh WHO put a difference between Egypt and Israel he could tell you. How so? The Lord made him to know. Has the Lord made this known to you? If He ever saves you He will! Pastor David L. Eddmenson

Salvation, as a free gift, offends man’s pride. “I will go home and pray.” I hope you do, but prayer does not save… Christ saves! “I will give my money and serve the Lord.” I hope you do, but your works will not save...Christ saves! Salvation is a free gift as is repentance, faith, and all grace. This free gift is despised by all who go about to establish their own righteousness. Men by nature just must share the glory if only in a small way. Their pride will not let them come to His feet empty-handed. They will bring something with them to bargain. Pastor Scott Richardson

The believer is perfect in Christ, but in himself is a poor, feeble creature, ever liable to fall. Oh, the blessedness of having One who can manage all his affairs for him at the right hand of the Majesty in the Heavens: One who upholds him continually by the right hand of His righteousness: One who will never let him go: One who is able to save to the uttermost: One who is the same yesterday, today and forever: One who will bear him triumphantly through all the difficulties and dangers that surround him and finally, present him faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy. Blessed forever be the grace that has made such ample provision for all our sins in the Blood of a spotless victim and the intercession of a Divine High Priest.

Pastor Scott Richardson

SOVEREIGN GRACE

Man's entire apostasy and death in sin, so that he cannot save himself, and God's entire supremacy, so that He saves whom He will, are doctrines exceedingly distasteful to human pride. But they are Scriptural. Why was one thief saved and the other lost? "Even so Father for so it seemed good in Thy sight." (Matt. 11:25-27). God was not bound to save the one and He had power enough to have saved the other, and neither could save himself. What made the difference? The Sovereign Grace of God!