Stand close to the cross of Jesus!
Posted: 27 Jul 2009 09:34 PM PDT
“Once more heed the exhortation- stand close to the cross of Jesus! It is the most accessible and precious spot this side of heaven- the most solemn and awesome one this side of eternity. It is the focus of divine love, sympathy, and power. Stand by it in suffering, in persecution, in temptation. Stand by it in the brightness of prosperity and in the gloom of adversity. Shrink not from its offence, humiliation, and woe. Defend it when scorned, despised, and denied. Stand up for Jesus and the gospel of Jesus. Oh, whatever you do, or whatever you endure, be loyal to Christ’s cross. Go to it in trouble, repair to it in weakness, cling to it in danger, hide beneath it when the wintry storm rushes fiercely over you. Near to the cross, you are near a Father’s heart, a Savior’s side.”
– Octavius Winslow, The Foot of the Cross
Blogger's note:
Lord, help me to be near to the cross, near to the Father's side that I may be Christ like in all I do, say and think. The power of the cross is the only power that saves.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Of First Importance
Away with your tools
Posted: 14 Jul 2009 11:55 PM PDT
If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.Exodus 20:25
“God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen on it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; however, instead of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are defilements and pollutions.
The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour’s work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured.
There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with your tools. Fall on your knees in humble supplication. Accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of your atonement, and rest in Him alone.”
- Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2001), 204.
Blogger's Note:
When Jesus said, "It is done." It means that it is done. Sin is done for. Death is done for. Victory is ours. Let us not water down the essence of the gospel but grab sin at its root and pull it out forever with the power of Christ.
Posted: 14 Jul 2009 11:55 PM PDT
If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.Exodus 20:25
“God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen on it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; however, instead of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are defilements and pollutions.
The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour’s work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured.
There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with your tools. Fall on your knees in humble supplication. Accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of your atonement, and rest in Him alone.”
- Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2001), 204.
Blogger's Note:
When Jesus said, "It is done." It means that it is done. Sin is done for. Death is done for. Victory is ours. Let us not water down the essence of the gospel but grab sin at its root and pull it out forever with the power of Christ.
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