Number the Days

Richard Baxter once said, “I preach as one who may never preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.” We need to learn the all-important lesson, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement,” and live our days in Christ, awaiting His call (Heb. 9:26).

It is so foolish to set our affection on a dying world and its short-lived comforts and relationships. Ryle said, “For a moment of time, men lose a glorious eternity.” We are toiling and wearying ourselves about trifles, running to and fro like ants on a hill to build that which shall soon crumble, not realizing that in a few years we shall all be gone and another generation will fill our place. “Lord, teach ME to number my days that I may apply my heart to WISDOM.” (Psalm 90:12). Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1987)

Faith Is Essential, But Not Meritorious

Faith in Christ is essential to salvation. No man will ever be saved, accepted with God, apart from true faith in Christ. “Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). You must believe on Christ, or you will perish. But do not ever think that your faith is meritorious with God.

Faith is the instrument by which we receive God’s blessings, but it is not the meritorious cause of those blessings. The blood of Christ alone merits God’s favor toward us. We are never said to be saved and justified because of faith, but through faith. Faith receives Christ, but it does not merit Christ. Faith receives salvation, but it does not merit salvation. Faith receives grace, but it does not merit grace. Faith receives justification, but it does not merit justification. Faith receives forgiveness and righteousness from God, but it does not merit anything from God. Faith is essential. Without it you will never be saved. But faith is not meritorious. Faith, too, is the gift of God’s grace. Pastor Don Fortner (1950-2020)

I recently heard a charlatan preacher say, “Give the Lord a handclap.” If I could, I would tell that man, “God is not worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25) God doesn’t need our hand claps. God doesn’t have any needs. But we certainly do! How amazing it is that God gives to all life and breath, and all things? Our Lord said, “He (God) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) But how much more astonishing is that for the believer, “God shall supply all your need (singular and spiritual) according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Jesus Christ is the one thing “needful,” for life eternal. (Luke 10:42)

The Lord Jesus provides Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin according to the riches of God’s glory, which is also found in Christ Jesus. Is it any wonder that Peter said, “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 David L. Eddmenson

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17).

John saw Him as the Great High Priest and fell at His feet as dead…and is this not how we, who know Him by faith, fall in our hearts before Him? Many saw Him in the days of His humiliation but never saw His beauty, honor, or glory. But when John saw Him with the eye of understanding and faith, knowing Him to be the only Mediator before God for men, he knew Him as the only One able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. John fell at His feet in submission as one dead to self and in total need of mercy…and may we do so today. Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

What does it mean to be justified? I am sure that there have been many definitions given and I by no means can fully expound all that is involved in sinners being justified before God. However, I am sure that it means to be eternally pardoned from all sin by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18). It means to be acquitted and vindicated of all charges before the holy justice of God (Jude 24). It means to be made and regarded righteous in God’s sight (Col. 1:21-22).