◄ ►

The Danger of Coming Short

God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus.... (2 Timothy 1:9 ESV)

Whenever we are being faced with some new and different course, some fresh proposition or position, there is one all-governing question that we should ask, and which we should take ample time to ponder and pray over seriously. That question is Does this thing before me stand in direct line with the full purpose of God, as revealed not in a fragment but in the fullness of His Word? God has left us in no doubt that He has a clearly defined purpose in view as the ultimate object of all His dealings. He has also made it abundantly clear what that purpose is. Further, it is distinctly shown that believers are "called according to His purpose," and that they are to "make their calling and election sure."

It is the business and duty of every true Christian to study so as to be quite clear as to what that "Eternal Purpose" is. Having done so, everything that arises to engage us must be brought to the judgment bar of that purpose, and interrogated in its light. God will not cut across our path, or give us particular light at any fork in the road if we have not been diligent in this quest, or faithful to the light given. It just will not do to allow ourselves to be influenced by questions of comparative right or wrong, good or bad, permissibility, desirability, expediency, or policy. Nor must ambition, soul-gratification, enlarged prospects "for the Lord," wider acceptance in Christianity, or any such thing, color our judgment or affect our decision. Advantage and cost are ruled out here as deciding factors. One question, and one alone, will decide tragedy or glory: does this that is before me stand directly in line with the full purpose of God? When the end is reached, the full story told, the sum taken, how much that is bound up with this will be stripped off, as having no real substance with what is Christ, and therefore fail to be carried over into the eternal? What will the River carry away, and what will emerge on the other side?

The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them . . . to search out a resting place for them.

My times are in Your hand. § He will choose our inheritance for us. § Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness … make Your way straight before my face.

Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. § In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. § Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. § As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. § Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. § [Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Num. 10:33;  Ps. 31:15;  Ps. 47:4;  Ps. 5:8;  Ps. 37:5;  Prov. 3:6;  Isa. 30:21;  Ps. 23:1,2;  Ps. 103:13,14;  Matt. 6:32;  1 Peter 5:7

“Rabbi . . . where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.”

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. § To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne.

Thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. § How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

John 1:38,39;  John 14:2,3;  Rev. 3:21;  Isa. 57:15;  Rev. 3:20;  Matt. 28:20;  Ps. 36:7

Gratuitous Grace

Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law but under grace" (Rom. 6:14).

Grace forsaken is freedom forfeited.

"In considering the whole testimony of the Bible, it is almost as important for the believer who would do the will of God to recognize that which does not concern him as it is for him to recognize that which does concern him.

"It is obvious that, apart from the knowledge of dispensational truth, the believer will not be intelligently adjusted to the present purpose and will of God in the world. Such knowledge alone will save him from assuming the hopeless legality of the dispensation that is past or from undertaking the impossible world transforming program belonging to the dispensation which is to come." -W.S.C.

"The Law of Moses is interrelated and wholly dependent on the sacrifices and ritual provided for Israel in the land. The laws of the kingdom (Sermon on the Mount) are only related to the future kingdom conditions which shall be in the earth under the power and presence of the King when Satan is bound, creation delivered, and all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest.

"All harmony of truth is shattered when there is the slightest commingling of the principles of law and grace. Grace alone now reigns through Christ to the glory of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

“By the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10).

Everlasting Mercy - Song of MARY (7)

Come Ye Apart