REMEMBER…
CHRIST ALONE!
The church in the Middle Ages spoke about Christ. A church that fails to speak about Christ could hardly claim to be Christian. But the medieval church added many human achievements to Christ’s work, so that it was no longer possible to say that salvation was entirely by Christ and His atonement. This was the most basic of all heresies, as the Reformers rightly understood, because it taught that salvation was the work of God plus our own righteousness. We must always be careful in this area because, as Martin Luther once said, “We are prone to add that damnable plus. Jesus plus something else." The Reformation motto “Solus Christus” was formed to expose and defeat this error. It affirmed that salvation has been accomplished, once for all time, by the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ alone. His sinless life in perfectly fulfilling the demands of the Law of God and His substitutionary atonement in satisfying the wrath of God on the cross against the sins of His people are alone the sufficient ground of our justification.
Any "gospel" that fails to acknowledge this or denies it is a false gospel that will save no one. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:6-10, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."
—Pastor S. Henry
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A BOOK UNLIKE ANY OTHER
—Tim Challies
"The Bible may be a book, but it is a book unlike any other. The Bible is inspired—breathed out by God and in that way perfectly reflects the mind and will of God. The Bible is also complete, sufficient, inerrant, and infallible. Because the Bible is all these things and so many more, it is powerful and effective. Because it is God’s Word, it comes with all the power and authority of God—power and authority sufficient to change us from the outside in.
Michael Horton says, “God’s word does not merely impart information; it actually creates life. It’s not only descriptive; it’s effective too. God speaking is God acting.” Thus, as we read the Bible, the Bible reads us. As we study the Bible, the Bible studies us. As we examine its every word, it examines our every thought, our every action, our every desire, our every inclination. It identifies our shortcomings; it calls us to change. But more than that, it provokes and promotes and causes that change. How do we know? Because “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). As God speaks through the Bible, God acts through the Bible, for “God speaking is God acting.”
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OUR BURDENS (2)
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
—Psalm 55:22
Do you have abiding joy in the Lord amidst this dark world, this vale of tears that we must struggle through? Our only hope, joy, and rejoicing is found when we look directly to Christ our Savior and “Cast our burden on the LORD”, which is followed with this promise, “He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). What about you? Are you bearing your own burdens, or have you cast them at the foot of the cross? Yes, life is difficult, struggles are real and plenteous, there is much heartache, death, destruction, depression, and disappointment.
Nevertheless, the Word of the Lord tells us to “cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And when we do, we have the precious promise of the Lord that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). Dear ones in Christ, Jesus is our Rock, Refuge, Fortress, and Strength; He alone can bear our burdens and give us peace within so flee to Jesus and “cast your burdens upon Him. He shall sustain you. He will never let you be moved.”
—Pastor S. Henry
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OUR BURDENS (1)
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
—Psalm 55:22
Scripture continually exhorts believers to commit our ways unto the Lord, to cast all our burdens and cares upon Him, and to be anxious for nothing as we struggle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil in this life. To commit our way unto the Lord means we humbly follow where He leads being confident that His way is one of wisdom and everlasting love in Christ. If we could determine our own way through this world, we would always be careful to avoid adversity, sickness, and trials. Yet, the Lord often leads His children in ways of darkness, distress, anguish, and agony. Therefore, we need the constant strength of the Holy Spirit to commit our way to the Lord. What a blessing that the Holy Spirit works within the believer to comfort, assure, and conform them into Christ’s image. And when we do commit our way to the Lord, we are free from anxiety and we rejoice in the Lord and that joy is abiding.
—Pastor S. Henry
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"Knowing that we are united to Christ by faith alone and indwelt by the Spirit is the difference between being afraid of God and fearing God."
—Dr. Burk Parsons
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SIX REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS BEHAVE BADLY (7)
—Le Ann Trees
FINAL THOUGHTS
"It's easy to get discouraged by certain Christians at times, but you likely know many kind-hearted, loving Christians as well. They would give the shirt off their backs for you, and it's not because they are getting anything for it. They want to share with you the love they have received from their heavenly Father in Christ. The old saying is true: Christians aren't perfect, but they are forgiven. And God is growing them in holiness—even though it may be hard to tell at times! Yet, there is one who never hurt anybody. This one loves the world so much that He gave His life so that you could be at peace with God. You can trust this person to save your soul, care for you always, and receive you into His kingdom. This person is no less than the Son of God. Jesus lived the perfect life and offered up His perfect body [and soul] so that all who trust in Him will live forever to the glory of God in perfect happiness as life was meant to be. When you are tempted to write off Christianity because of Christians, remember that we live in a fallen world for the time being, and Christians live with the effects of the fall along with non-Christians. God is not willing that any should perish (2 Pet. 3:9), and He is patiently gathering all those who will come to rest in the arms of Jesus. And these beautiful arms stretched themselves out on a cross to die a horrible death because of God’s unfathomable love for us: But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)."
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