Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. Proverbs 27:20-22
There Is No Other
There is no other SAVIOR but Christ to look to, no other MEDIATOR between God and me to make use of, no other PHYSICIAN of value for diseased and sin-sick souls to apply unto, no other FOUNTAIN but His blood for polluted souls to wash in and be cleansed, no other CITY OF REFUGE or stronghold for souls sensible of danger to flee unto and be safe, no other to come to as the BREAD OF LIFE where hungry souls may be fed, no other place of REST for those that are weary and heavy laden, nor is there any other where is plenty of all grace and security from every enemy, as in HIM; and therefore, to whom can they have recourse, but unto HIM?
John Gill
Cain and Abel
When we read the story of these two men, it is evident that they had much in common. They had the same parents. They were both born and raised outside the garden. Both had received the same religious instructions. Both came to worship and brought offerings to God. But they differed in their understanding of God’s character, the nature of sin, and the way to approach God.
All men and women are much the same. The natural differences are superficial. We may differ in our ACTS of sin, but there is no difference as to the FACT of sin (Rom. 3:9-19)!
This difference in understanding led these men to bring different sacrifices to God. Abel, evidently aware of God’s instructions, in faith and godly fear, brought a slain lamb, typical of the blood of Christ. In this sacrifice, Abel confessed he was worthy of death and that without the shedding of blood there was no forgiveness of sin nor approach to God. Cain’s offering of his own works, the fruit of the ground (that which God had cursed), denied his guilt and professed that he was righteous. Abel trusted the Lord; Cain trusted in his works. O, what a difference!
Abel is a type of the believer in salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Cain is a type of the religious of all generations and persuasions who seek God’s favor by their own doings.
Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1983)
Sin Not – 1 John 2:1
David's sin in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah brought devastating consequences to David for the rest of his life. The believer cannot sin without there being consequences in this life. We should be afraid of sin, not only because it is against God, but the trouble it brings us in the commission of it. That is why John said, "These things write I unto you that ye sin not." But thank God, that sin that caused David so many consequences in this life was put away. "The Lord hath put away thy sin"(II Sam 12:13). Because Christ bare that sin in His own body on the tree and put it away, David stood before God having never committed that sin. What was true of David is true of every believer. Sin brings consequences in this life. But thank God there are no consequences in the world to come. The Bible calls it justification.
Pastor Todd Nibert
TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH
In each of the letters given to the seven churches in the book of Revelation we read a phrase similar to this, "to him that overcometh" (Rev.3:7). Every believer resting in the Lord Jesus Christ has won the victory over all obstacles that would hinder our eternal salvation (1 Cor. 15:57). We know from reading the testimony of God, that our blessed Lord as a representative Mediator, Who is both God and man accomplished all things for us in our glorious and eternal salvation. Our Lord has plainly declared, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33; Rev. 12:11). The apostle John says in his letter, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God" (1Jn.5:5)?
Notice carefully all the benefits and spiritual blessings given to those who believe the gospel of God's grace in Christ.
1). Eternal life in Christ, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Rev. 2:7).
2). No condemnation to those in Christ (Rom.8:1), "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Rev.2:11).
3). Made new creatures in Christ (2Cor.5:17), "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written" (Rev. 2:17).
4). Privilege and freedom to preach the gospel of Christ, the power of God unto the salvation of many (Rom.1:16), "He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations" (Rev. 2:26).
5). Eternal righteousness in Christ, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Rev. 3:5).
6).Perseverance in Christ, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out " (Rev. 3:12).
7).Eternal worship around the throne of Christ, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Rev.3:21).
Every believer can say with a measure of assurance and great confidence that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 8:37).