The Lord Jesus Christ has passed by many and said to them, "Follow me, and they arose immediately and followed Him." But, there are many more that He has passed right on by, leaving them to their own desires. There are many who go on in their sin who are really glad that Jesus passes them by and goes on to another. I have been preaching the Gospel of God's Grace for over 30 years, to people of all walks of life, and I have never seen anybody get mad when Jesus passed them by.

The only reason we are saved is owed to His sovereign mercy. If left to ourselves, we would be lost. Some who have been passed by are more moral, more religious, and better than we are. If God has called you, it is the Free Grace of God. That is why He must get all the glory. "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."

Pastor Milton Howard

CHRIST: A LIVING REALITY

“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.” (John 14:19)

Jesus Christ is not someone who lived, but one who lives and is seated at God’s right hand, where angels and authorities and powers are made subject unto him. (I Peter 3:22) The gospel is not just a story to be believed, but a living person to receive, love and worship. Jesus Christ is the life and hope of every blood-bought son of God.

(I Timothy 1:1)

John Chapman

REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD

It is important to understand what repentance is since repentance is required for salvation (Luke 13:3). Let’s start with what repentance is not. Repentance is not simply improved conduct. The Pharisees were outwardly righteous before men but they never repented. Repentance is not born by suffering loss like Esau. Repentance is not born from sorrow caused by trial like Pharaoh. Repentance is not born from fear of judgment like Simon in Acts 8. Repentance is not born from an emotional response to a preacher like Felix. Repentance is not born from being sorry for what you have done like Judas Iscariot.

Repentance is a turning to Christ and away from sin. A sinner repents of everything he is and turns to God because God has given him faith in the Christ. Repentance is toward God, through faith in Christ (Acts 20:21). Repentance is more than feeling sorry for sin. Repentance is hatred of sin. A believer hates sin because of what Christ suffered because of sin. And a believer hates sin because God has given him a new nature in the new birth that loves holiness and hates sin. A believer doesn’t hate sin because he is afraid of punishment. A believer hates sin because he loves Christ.

Repentance always acknowledges God’s sovereign right to do with me what He will. When Eli heard that God was going to kill his sons, Eli said, “It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good” (I Sam 3:18). Repentance always admits God’s holiness. When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, Isaiah said “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Is. 6:5). Repentance always justifies God in His judgment of my sin. David said “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Ps. 51:4). Repentance always confesses that salvation is by God’s sovereign will alone. The leper said “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” (Matt 8:2). Repentance never claims any goodness of our own (Rom 3:19-20).

If any man can say, “I am sure of heaven, and I am proud of it,” he may take my word for it that he is secure of hell! If your religion puffs you up, puff your religion away, for it is not worth a puff!”