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If Jesus is not loved above all!

(Thomas Doolittle, "Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!" 1693)

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;
anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me!" Matthew 10:37

If Jesus is not loved above all--He is not sincerely loved at all.

There might be love of other things subordinate to the love of Christ, but not equal with it, much less superior to it. You might love your friends, and love your enjoyments, and love the comforts of your life--but you must love Christ above all. The love of these must be swallowed up in the love of Christ, and be subordinate unto it.

A man who does not love Christ more than sin, and more than pleasures and profits--has no sincere love to Christ, nor shall he be saved by Him.

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:25-27

That is, a true disciple of Christ must and ought to love these things less than Christ--and Christ with prevailing degrees of love. True love in the heart to Christ makes it incline more to Christ, than to all other things!

"Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love!" Ephesians 6:24

 

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You may as well throw your Bible away at once!

(J.C. Ryle, 1878)

"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the damnation of Hell?" Matthew 23:33

Is Hell real?

There is but one point to be settled, "What does the Word of God teach?"
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, Hell is real and true.
Hell is a true as Heaven, as true as the fact that Christ died upon the cross.

Disbelieve Hell, and you unscrew, unsettle, and unpin everything in the Scripture.
Disbelieve Hell, and you may as well throw your Bible away at once!

From "no Hell" to "no God" is but a series of steps!

Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, Hell will have inhabitants.

If I never spoke of Hell, I would think I had kept back something that was profitable, and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil!

A flood of false doctrine has lately broken in upon us. Men everywhere are telling us, "that God is too merciful to punish souls forever--that all mankind, however wicked and ungodly will sooner or later be saved." We are to embrace what is called "kinder theology," and treat Hell as a pagan fable.

This question lies at the very foundation of the whole Gospel. The moral attributes of God--His justice, His holiness, His purity, are all involved in it. The Scripture has spoken plainly and fully on the subject of Hell. If words mean anything, there is such a place as Hell. If texts are to be interpreted fairly, then most people will be cast into it. The same Bible which teaches that God in mercy and compassion sent Christ to die for sinners--also teaches that God hates sin, and must from His very nature punish all who cleave to sin and refuse the salvation He has provided.

 

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The holiness of a Christian!

(Letters of John Newton)

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells." Romans 7:18

The depravity of our fallen nature is, and will be, universally and always felt during our present earthly state. It insinuates into, and mixes with all our thoughts, and all our actions. It is inseparable from us, as the shadow from our bodies when the sun shines upon us.

The holiness of a Christian does not consist in a deliverance from depravity--but in being sensible of it, striving against it, and being humbled under it; and taking occasion from thence to admire our Savior, and rejoice in Him as our complete righteousness and sanctification.

The grace of God puts a great deal into the heart--but it takes nothing out. Nature and grace, flesh and spirit, will antagonize each other to the end of life. Therefore the life of a believer, while in the body, is a continual state of warfare.

The apostle felt a law in his members warring against the law of his mind. He would do good, but evil was present with him. He groaned, being burdened.

When we first set out, we hope to be spiritually rich--but the Lord's purpose is to make us sensible of our extreme poverty. We wish to be something--but He is teaching us that we are nothing.

When indeed we are willing to be nothing, that He may be all in all, in us and for us--then I think we reach the very acme of holiness. Then, while we feel that we have no sufficiency of ourselves, we shall be enabled to do all things that occur in the line of duty, through Him strengthening us.

 

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Pithy gems from John Newton #4

Abominations, like nests of vipers, lie quietly in us--until the rod of affliction arouses them. Then they hiss and show their venom! This discovery is indeed very distressing; yet, until it is made, we are prone to think ourselves much less vile than we really are, and cannot so heartily abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes.

~ ~ ~ ~

A deep sense of indwelling sin is essential to humble living.

~ ~ ~ ~

I have reason to praise Him for my trials, for most probably I would have been ruined without them!

~ ~ ~ ~

To see Him as He is, and to be like Him! This is worth dying for--and worth living for!

~ ~ ~ ~

People do their country more service by pleading for it in prayer--than by finding fault with things they have no power to alter!

~ ~ ~ ~

Prosperity may cause us to rise in the world--but affliction is needful to raise us above the world!

 

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Oh, comforting truth!

(Octavius Winslow)

"The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer." Psalm 6:9

"You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted" Psalm 10:17

"This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles" Psalm 34:6

"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles" Psalm 34:17
"Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice" Psalm 55:17

"God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer" Psalm 66:19

"I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy" Psalm 116:1

"I call on the LORD in my distress, and He answers me" Psalm 120:1

"He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them." Psalm 145:19

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayer" 1 Peter 3:12

Christian! God is near at hand whenever you approach Him in prayer.
Oh, comforting truth! You have a God at hand . . .
to listen to the softest breath of prayer,
to listen to every confession of sin,
to listen to every cry of need,
to listen to every utterance of sorrow,
to listen to every wail of woe,
to listen to every appeal for counsel, strength and support!

Arise, O my soul! and give yourself to prayer, for God is near at hand to hear and answer you!

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

 

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The more the Bible is studied!

(Frederick Marsh)

My conviction is that the more the Bible is studied--the more there is found in it to be studied.
Fresh light, strength, joy, help, grace, and blessing--break out from it!

Scripture is like . . .
the dawn--ever new in its light;
the air--ever fresh in its vitality;
spiritual food--ever nourishing to our soul;
the flowers--ever beautiful in their variety.


Our God and Father in Christ, I thank You that You have given Your Holy Word for my instruction.
Enable me in the grace of the Holy Spirit . . .
to love Your Word supremely,
to believe it wholly,
to live it out truly,
to follow it earnestly,
to rest on it contentedly,
to follow it continually,
to practice it consistently,
to obey it unhesitatingly,
to hear its voice attentively,
to handle it reverently, and
to enter into its spirit devotedly.
In His Name, who alone is worthy, I pray. Amen.

 

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Pithy gems from J.C. Ryle

~ ~ ~ ~

It costs something to be a true Christian.
It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease and our worldliness!

~ ~ ~ ~

According to the men of the world--few are going to Hell.
According to the Bible--few are going to Heaven.

~ ~ ~ ~

By affliction, Christ . . .
shows us our emptiness and weakness,
draws us to the throne of grace,
purifies our affections,
weans us from the world, and
makes us long for Heaven.

~ ~ ~ ~

Nothing is so offensive to Christ as lukewarmness in religion!
"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,
I am going to vomit you out of My mouth!" Revelation 3:16

 

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They are preaching up the devil's old, favorite doctrine!

(J.C. Ryle)

There is such a place as Hell. Let no one deceive you with vain words. What people do not like--they try hard not to believe. When the Lord Jesus Christ comes to judge the world, He will punish all who are not His disciples with a fearful punishment!

All who are found unrepentant and unbelieving;
all who have clung to sin;
all who have set their affections on worldly things;
all who are without a saving relationship to Christ--
all such shall come to a dreadful end! "Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life, was thrown into the Lake of Fire!" Revelation 20:15

1) I know that some people do not believe that there is any Hell at all. They think it impossible that there can be such a place. They call it inconsistent with the mercy of God. They say that it is too awful an idea to be really true. The devil of course, rejoices in the views of such people. They help his kingdom mightily. They are preaching up the devil's old, favorite doctrine, "You shall not surely die!" Genesis 3:4

2) I know furthermore, that some do not believe that Hell is eternal! They tell us that it is incredible that a compassionate God will punish people forever. They imagine that He will surely open the prison doors of Hell at last. This also is a mighty help to the devil's cause.

3) I know also that some believe that there is a Hell, but never allow that anybody is going there! They imagine that . . .
all people are good,
all are sincere,
all mean well, and
all, they hope, will go to Heaven when they die!
Alas! what a common delusion is this!

If I never spoke of Hell--I would think I had kept back something that was profitable, and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil.

Reader, I beseech you, in all tender affection--beware of false views of the subject on which I have been dwelling. Beware of new and strange doctrines about Hell and the eternity of punishment. Beware of manufacturing a god of your own:
a god who is all mercy--but not just;
a god who is all love--but not holy;
a god who has a Heaven for everyone--but a Hell for none;
a god who will make no distinction between the godly and the ungodly in eternity.

Such a god is an idol of your own imagination! It is as truly an idol, as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple! The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have made it! It is not the God of the Bible--and beside the God of the Bible, there is no God at all.

 

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Pithy gems from J.C. Ryle #2


Pride is the oldest and most common of sins.
Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.

~ ~ ~ ~

Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross--and then go and set your affections on the world if you can!

~ ~ ~ ~

A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people!

~ ~ ~ ~

The Gospel was not meant merely to reside in our intellect, memories, and tongues--but to be seen in our lives.

~ ~ ~ ~

Happiness and contentment do not depend on outward circumstances--but on the state of the heart.

~ ~ ~ ~

Health is a good thing; but sickness is far better--if it leads us to God.

 

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Pithy gems from J.C. Ryle #3


The beginning of the way to Heaven--is to feel that we are on the way to Hell.

~ ~ ~ ~

There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough--a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice--which costs nothing, and is worth nothing!

~ ~ ~ ~

Christian! Your trials, crosses and conflicts are all temporary.

~ ~ ~ ~

I am one of those old-fashioned ministers who believe the whole Bible and everything that it contains.

~ ~ ~ ~

There are no lessons so useful--as those learned in the school of affliction.

~ ~ ~ ~

Christ is never fully valued, until sin is clearly seen. We must know the depth and malignity of our disease, in order to appreciate the great Physician.

 

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Busy yourselves about toys and trifles!

("Christ's Famous Titles!" William Dyer, 1632-1696)

"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life." John 6:27

Labor more for inward purity--than for outward felicity.

That man who is a laboring bee for earthly prosperity, will be but an idle drone for heavenly felicity.
Gold in your bags will make you greater--but it is grace in your heart that will make you holier.
He is a rich man who lives upon his wealth--but he is a righteous man who lives upon his faith!
A heavenly conversation, is better than any earthly possession.
It is a great mercy to have a portion in the world--but to have the world for a portion, is a great misery.

Our affections were made for things that are above us, and not for things that are below us. "If you have been raised to new life with Christ," What then? "Set your hearts on things above! Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2

But, alas! some men are so in love with their golden bags, that they will ride with all possible haste to Hell--if they are but paid well for their pains! They look upon gain as the highest good, and not upon godliness as the highest gain!
They mind the present world so much--as if it would never have an ending!
They mind the world to come so little--as if it would never have a beginning!
The perishing things of this world--are all the happiness of the men of this world!
Oh, what wretched worldlings!

They are diligent about what is temporal--but negligent about what is eternal!
They are careful about fleeting vanities--but slothful about durable excellencies!
They feast their bodies--but starve their souls!
They lay up treasures on earth--but none in Heaven!

"Why do you spend money on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy?" Isaiah 55:2. He who knocks at the creature's door for true happiness--will find but an empty house kept there.

Oh, beloved, what is gold, compared to grace? What is earth, compared to Heaven? that you thus neglect the great things, the weighty things, the eternal things--and busy yourselves about toys and trifles! You have a crown to look after, a Heaven to look after, a kingdom to look after!

I beseech you, beloved, labor more for inward holiness--than for outward happiness!
Labor more for the seed of grace--than for the bag of gold!
Labor more for inward piety--than for outward plenty!
Labor more for a heavenly kingdom--than for an earthly possession!
The earth is a saint's passage--but Heaven is a saint's portion!

 

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Comfort, safety, strength, holiness!

(George Everard, "Talks about Home Life" 1878)

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are." Hebrews 4:15

There is no comfort, but in Christ's bosom.

There is no safety, but by Christ's side.

There is no strength, but in Christ's arm.

There is no holiness, but in Christ's footsteps.

Look up and see Christ, the merciful and gracious Savior, bending over you in most tender compassion.
He is very near to you. He marks . . .
each sigh,
each desire,
each tear,
each prayer.
He thinks upon and sympathizes with you.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

 

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Fear of God--or man?

(John Flavel)

The ungodly person fears man--not God.
"An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes." Psalm 36:1

The strong Christian fears God--not man.
"Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him;
he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 2:3

The weak Christian fears man too much--and God too little.
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Ec. 12:13

 

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The Complaint!

(James Smith, 1864)

"O my God, my soul is cast down within me!" Psalm 42:6

And why are you cast down?

"My heart is burdened with a sense of my short-comings.
Every holy duty I perform is so imperfect.
Every good purpose I form is so soon frustrated.
Every hope of seeing better days is so soon beclouded.
My heart is so fearfully depraved.
My life is so unlike the life of Jesus.
My affections are so unholy.
My prayers are so brief and heartless.
My praises are so feeble and fitful.
I do so little good.
I live to so little purpose.
My evidences are so dim.
My prospects are so overcast.
I am harassed sometimes with the fear of death.
I cannot grasp the glories of Heaven.
I am dissatisfied with the world--and yet glued to it!
I hate sin--and yet fall into it!
I am a riddle, a mystery, a mass of inconsistency!
Is it, then, any wonder that I am cast down?"

No, if you look at yourself, and pore over the things you have named--then it is no wonder that you are cast down! They are enough to cast anyone down! But if you carry them to the throne of grace, if you there confess them before God, if you look to the mercy of Jesus--then, in spite of them, you will not long be cast down.

I know it is difficult to do this. There is a natural proneness to pore over such things. One feels at times a secret liking to indulge in self-pity.

But we must look away from self--for if we do not, we shall become anxious, doubting and downcast! We must run the race--not looking at our imperfections, short-comings, and failures--but looking unto Jesus. He knows what we are. He knew what we would be--before He called us by His grace; yes, before He shed His sin-atoning blood for us!
He loved us, as sinners.
He died for us, as sinners.
He called us, as sinners.
He saves us, as sinners.
He will have great glory by saving such great sinners. We cannot do anything to repay Him for His wondrous love. Salvation is by free grace--from first to last! Believe this, and it will raise up your drooping mind!

The life-boat of free grace has put you on board the vessel of salvation, and that will convey you safely to the port of glory! Do not look at your spiritual destitution, or feebleness, or incapacity, or imperfections--but trust in your Pilot, rely on your Captain, and expect His mercy and merit to land you safely in Heaven at last!

Regardless of any amount of spiritual progress, your dying prayer will still be, "God be merciful unto me--a sinner!"

Hope in God!
His mercy is great unto the Heavens,
His grace is as free as the air,
His love is as changeless as His nature,
His promise is as immutable as His love.

He will save you for His own sake, and present you before assembled worlds as a monument of His mercy, and a trophy of His grace!

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God!" Psalm 42:5

 

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The panacea for all the ills of life!

(James Smith, "The Spirit's Work in the Believer" 1861)

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

Spirituality flows from the gracious operations of the Holy Spirit in the soul, who . . .
kindles spiritual love,
awakens spiritual desires, and
produces spiritual devotion.

The Spirit's work in the believer consists:

1. In convincing us of sin, when we go astray from the right ways of the Lord.

2. In working repentance within us, and leading us to confess and mourn over our sins before God.

3. In opening up, and applying the Word of God, so that it . . .
meets our case,
feeds our faith,
fires our love, and
deepens our humility.

4. In exciting and drawing forth the soul in prayer, praise, and adoration at the throne of God--so that we sometimes . . .
melt in contrition,
are crumbled down in humiliation,
and are almost dissolved in love.

5. In giving us soul-refreshing glimpses . . .
of the glorious person of Jesus,
of the everlasting covenant,
and of eternal glory.

6. In melting us down in sincere gratitude before God, under a sense of His undeserved favor.

7. In removing all legal fears, and causing holy peace to flow through the soul like a river.

8. In melting us in meekness, and producing sweet submission to the sovereign will of God.

9. In sweetly soothing and consoling under trials and bereavements; and enabling us to look heavenward with hope and joy.

10. In giving us sweet intimations of the love of God to us, by holy discoveries of His grace.

11. In witnessing to our adoption, awakening the cry of "Abba, Father!" in our hearts, and enabling us to claim a filial relationship to God.

12. In drawing forth our souls in love to God--under an overcoming sense of His free and unparalleled love to us.

13. In enabling us to mount upward as on the wings of an eagle, and to run with pleasure and delight in God's holy ways.

15. In quickening us to rejoice in the Lord, when all things around are calculated to fill us with despondency and gloom.

16. In producing perseverance in our souls, and enabling us to look away from the things which are seen and temporal--and to look to unseen and eternal realities.

The Spirit works within the Christian, teaching him daily to make use of Christ as the panacea for all the ills of life!

In all these things, and many more--the work of the Spirit in the experience of the believer appears.

Reader, do you know anything of these things in your own experience?
Is the Spirit daily working in your heart, and do you pay attention to . . .
the lessons He teaches,
the impressions He makes, and
the direction in which He points?

O for more of the Spirit's work within us--that we may live to the praise and glory of Him who loved us, and died to redeem us from sin, death and Hell!

Holy Spirit, work in us more and more--teaching us Your truth, and conforming us to Christ! O for more of Your power, love, and holiness!

 

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The highest class in the school of Christ

(John Angell James, 1848)

"So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12

By patience, we mean a quiet waiting, amidst sufferings and sorrows--for the heavenly kingdom. Patience is an uncomplaining willingness to remain any length of time, and amidst any tribulation, for eternal glory.

No circumstances of life--let the sufferer hear and drink in the soul-comforting thought--no circumstances of life seem to ripen the Christian so fast or so perfectly for Heaven--as the experience of sorrow and affliction. Oh! then let our comforts go, then let our eyes weep, then let our hearts bleed--if our Father is thus ripening us for everlasting fruition and inconceivable bliss!

"But patience must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:4

When we are enabled to exercise the grace of patience, we have reached the highest class in the school of Christ, have nothing more to learn upon earth, and are ready and fit to depart, and to be with Jesus--and have then obtained as much grace as can be possessed, short of glory itself!

Patience then, sufferer, patience! The first moment, and the first glance of Heaven will be an infinite recompense for all that you suffer--for all that you lose on earth! If every step on earth is a step of suffering--then let each be a step of patience!

Weep you may--murmur you must not.

Nature may pay the tribute of a groan--but grace must pay it with a smile.

The shower of your tears may fall--but the rays of the Sun of Righteousness must reflect the beauteous rainbow of the promise.

Christian, you make your way to glory along the path of patient resignation, which, if it is like the Valley of Weeping, and has its briars and its thorns--has also its refreshing rain-pools of heavenly consolation!

 

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Pithy gems from George Whitefield #2

Oh for a thousand lives to be spent in the service of Christ!

~ ~ ~ ~

Left to himself--man is half beast and half devil.

~ ~ ~ ~

God, give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love and a single eye!

~ ~ ~ ~

If one evil thought, if one evil word, if one evil action, deserves eternal damnation--then how many Hells do every one of us deserve, whose whole lives have been one continued rebellion against God!

~ ~ ~ ~

The reason why congregations have been so dead--is because they have dead men preaching to them. How can dead men beget living children?

~ ~ ~ ~

I expect perpetual conflicts and struggles in this life. I expect only a cross, while on this side of eternity.

~ ~ ~ ~

There are many who go on in a round of religious duties, who think that they will go to Heaven when they die. But if you examine them, though they have a Christ in their heads--they have no Christ in their hearts.

 

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Pithy gems from Thomas Watson #2

What fools are they who, for a drop of pleasure, drink a sea of wrath!

~ ~ ~ ~

Every time you draw your breath, you suck in mercy!

~ ~ ~ ~

We are more sure to arise out of our graves, than out of our beds.

~ ~ ~ ~

Read the Scripture, not only as a history, but as a love-letter sent to you from God!

~ ~ ~ ~

God would have us part with nothing for Him, but that which will damn us if we keep it! The only design He has for us is to make us holy.

~ ~ ~ ~

Death is the last and best physician. It cures all diseases and sins--the aching head and the unbelieving heart. Sin was the midwife which brought death into the world--and death shall be the grave to bury sin! O the privilege of a believer!

~ ~ ~ ~

There is more evil in a drop of sin--than in a sea of affliction!

~ ~ ~ ~

Knowledge without repentance--will be but a torch to light men to Hell.

 

[nChrist]

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You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain!

(William S. Plumer, "The Ten Commandments")

A great design of true religion is to bring men to habitual reverence for God's divine majesty. The very moment men cease to treat God as holy--that moment their hearts and lives become polluted.

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, who takes His name in vain." Exodus 20:7

Anything relating to the true God--His being, His nature, His will, His works, His worship, His service, or His doctrine--pertains to God's name. This commandment extends to the state of men's thoughts and hearts--as well as to their speech.

To take God's name in vain, is to use it in any frivolous, false, inconsiderate, irreverent, or otherwise wicked manner. The scope of this commandment is to secure the holy and reverent use of all that by which God makes Himself known to His people; and so to guard His sacred name against all that is calculated to make it contemptible.

The manner of taking His name is to be grave, solemn, intelligent, thoughtful, sincere, and with godly fear.

"Our Father in Heaven, may Your name be honored as holy." Matthew 6:9

 

[nChrist]

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You are either in the Word--or in the world!

(Howard Hendricks)

You are either in the Word, and the Word is conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ--or you are in the world, and the world is squeezing you into its mold!

The first reason for studying Scripture is that it is a means of spiritual growth. There is no growth apart from the Word. It is God's primary tool to develop Christian character.

The Word of God is able to transform your life, but you must probe for its wisdom. You have to penetrate the surface with more than just a cursory glance.

The Bible was written not to satisfy your curiosity, but to conform you to Christ's image. Not to make you a smarter sinner, but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill your head with a collection of biblical facts, but to transform your life.

The will of God is found in the Word of God. The more a person grows, the more he begins to think instinctively and habitually from a divine perspective.