Submit Yourselves To God

“God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, therefore, to God” (James 4:6-7).

The way to overcome pride, envy, and the spirit of carnal ambition is to submit yourself to God! Submit to His will and purpose regarding gifts, talents, and possessions; to His place of service, be it lowly or great; to His will to prosper or empty us, to honor or humiliate us.

There is ONE NAME to be praised (Psalm 115:1), ONE WILL to be done (Matt. 6:10), ONE LIFE to be imitated (1 Peter 2:21), ONE PERSON who must have the pre-eminence (Col. 1:18); our LORD JESUS CHRIST, to whom be glory both now and forever. Amen (Rom. 11:36)!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1991)

“ …‘draw’ means to ‘drag’… ”

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

(John 6:44)

No man can come to Christ except God the Father draw him. The reason a man can’t come is because he is dead in trespasses and sin. Did you know that the Greek word for “draw” means to “drag?” I understand that God will not drag any man to heaven’s glory, kicking and screaming against his will. God simply makes the chosen sinner willing in the day of His power (Psalms 110:3). But the only two ways to bring or take a dead man with you somewhere, is to drag him or give him life. Thank God, that in Christ, God draws us by the cords of His love, power and grace and gives us spiritual life through a new birth. The saved sinner is made able and willing only because they are made alive unto God (1 Corinthians 15:22).
Pastor David Eddmenson

Justified By Works

“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” (Romans 4:2).

Nearly every religious group admits that salvation is not by works, but at the same time preaches that without certain works there is no salvation. It's amazing to me why intelligent people don't cry out, “Get consistent.” Is it by grace or works? You can't have it both ways. “Works” in the Bible relating to salvation means any deed whether of hand, foot, voice or mind; or whatever else you do, including being baptized or receiving the Lord's Supper, if offered to God to improve your relationship with Him. The salvation of the Bible is what God does for sinners not what sinners do for God. “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:21). “And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more of grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6). “Where is boasting then? It is excluded (shut out). By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27). Pastor Scott Richardson

Things I Cannot Do

I heard a message last week by Pastor Henry Mahan where he quoted an article from Pastor Maurice Montgomery entitled: Things I cannot do.

There is a holy God I cannot please; in the flesh no man can please God (Rom. 8:8).

There is a holy law I cannot keep; by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified (Gal. 2:16).

There is a righteousness that God demands that I cannot produce (Rom. 3:9-12).

There is a sin I cannot put away or make atonement for (Ezk. 18:20, Titus 3:5).

There is a judgment I cannot escape (Heb. 9:27).

There is an eternal condemnation I cannot endure (Mark 9:44, Rom. 6:23).

After hearing those words of warning by Brother Maurice, these thoughts came to my mind. What shall we do? Look to the Lord Jesus Christ (Isa 45:22)!

He did please the Father in all things (Isa. 42:1, Matt. 3:17).

John 8:29; “for I do always those things that please him.”

He did fully honor and exalt the law of God (Isa. 42:21, Matt. 5:17).

He did bring in everlasting righteousness for us and freely imputes that unto us (Dan. 9:24; Rom. 4:6).

He did put away the sin of God’s people by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 1:3, 9:26).

Christ did take the judgment for all the sin of God’s elect in His own body on the tree and suffered the wrath of God for them (Isa. 53:10; 1 Peter 2:24).

Christ did endure eternal condemnation for us and by His sacrifice we are set free (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). Now, no condemnation to those in Christ (Rom. 8:1; Gal. 5:1).