Two lessons taught by Esau The birthright which Esau despised and sold for a morsel of meat (Hebrews 12: 16) was not the natural inheritance of his father but, all of the promises of God in the coming redeemer. To him, it was just spiritual folklore and superstitious tradition. While the concept of such things […]
If God Is Sovereign – How Are Men Responsible? Todd Nibert God is sovereign. You cannot take that too far or overstate it. Everything that happens, happens according to the sovereign will of God. “He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph. 1:11). If God’s will determines everything, how can men […]
Responsibility “… The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mk 1:15 Responsibility has nothing to do with ability. The words are not even spelled alike (ibility – ability). Man is responsible for his sin but has not the ability to change what he is … […]
Altogether Vanity Psalm 39: 5 It is the assumption of most that sin is something that comes into their lives at moments of weakness. Anger, jealousy, and pride, finding an occasion, cause their feet to slip and sin enter the door. If they could somehow get rid of these things that have ruined their reputations, […]
To walk after the flesh “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1 To walk after the flesh carries with it the idea of the flesh going before us—as our leader, guide, and example—and our following close in its […]
It is a creature of many lives! Man is a strange compound. A sinner, and the worst of sinners, and yet a Pharisee! A wretch, and the vilest of wretches, and yet pluming himself on his good works! Did not experience convince us to the contrary, we would scarcely believe that a monster like man, […]
As the doctrines of election and perseverance are comfortable, so they cut off all pretense of boasting and self-dependence, when they are truly received in the heart, and therefore tend to exalt the Saviour. … How do our hearts soften, and our eyes melt, when we feel some liberty in thinking and speaking of him! […]
A God You Cannot Satisfy, A Law You Cannot Keep . . . I have tried diligently to preach God as He really is, to sinners as they really are, and to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Mediator between the holy God and sinful men, the all-glorious Redeemer who accomplished, by Himself, […]
SALVATION It is most refreshing to hear a sinner confess his need of the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing that salvation is only by grace through faith, God’s sheep rejoices in that effectual calling by the Holy Spirit. The religion of this world preaches that salvation is man’s response to an offer by God. Nothing could […]
THE TRUE CHARACTER OF UNBELIEF In all unbelief there are two things — a good opinion of one’s self and a bad opinion of God. Man’s good opinion of himself makes him think it quite possible to win God’s favor by his own religious performances; and his bad opinion of God makes him unwilling and […]