Grace Gems

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Little sins!

(Thomas Brooks)

"Avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Little sins multiplied, become great. There is nothing less than a grain of sand--yet there is nothing heavier than the sand of the sea when multiplied.

Little sins are very dangerous!
A little leaven, leavens the whole lump.
A little knife, may kill.
A little leak in a ship, may sink it.

Though the scorpion is little--yet will it sting a lion to death! Just so, a little sin may at once bar the door of Heaven, and open the gates of Hell! The least sin damn us--if not pardoned by the death of Christ!

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Two gates, two ways, two ends!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Enter by the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction--and there are many who go in by it.
Because narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life--and there are few who find it!" Matthew 7:13-14


There are only two GATES:
One of them wide. Its name is Self . . .
  my own desires,
  my own proud thoughts,
  my own righteousness,
  my own beloved and darling sins,
  my own plans and pleasures.

The other gate is narrow. Its name is Christ--Christ sought with repentance and godly sorrow--Christ followed at any hazard. It is the gate of the crucifixion of Self!


There are only two WAYS:
One of them is broad, easy, pleasant, comfortable, pleasing to the flesh, thronged with multitudes--a primrose path, but always tending downward, and bringing disastrous consequences.

The other way is difficult and narrow, as it were through a gorge between craggy cliffs which nearly meet, haunted by dangers and enemies, chosen by comparatively few. The Christian's toilsome pilgrimage and dangerous journey--ah, how the road climbs up and up!


There are only two ENDS:
One of them is destruction--
   dark, hopeless, irretrievable,
   the death of peace,
   the death of hope,
   the death of every good impulse,
   the death of the soul!

The other end is life--
   life at its fullest, sublimest, sweetest,
   life without sin and without sorrow,
   life in the land of life and glory,
   life in the presence of Christ to all eternity!

Consciously, deliberately, unequivocally, may I seek . . .
  the narrow gate,
  the difficult way,
  the end which is everlasting life!

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These words which I command you today

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"These words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9

It is well when the Word of God governs my personal life.
It should control my body with its members and passions.
It should solve the puzzling questions of my intellect.
It should answer the indictment, and allay the fears of my conscience.
It should fill my imagination with pure and inspiring pictures.
It should make my will the happy bond-servant of Christ.
It should satisfy the cravings of my heart for the perfect and eternal love.

And it is well when the Word of God governs my home life. When I teach it to the children, when I talk of it sitting in the house and walking by the way, lying down and rising up--I am giving them . . .
  the sublimest theme for meditation,
  the best rule of conduct,
  the strongest safeguard against evil,
  the passport to the family of the Lord and the city of the eternal King.
I am rendering them the most noble service conceivable!

And it is well when the Word of God governs my social life. Let it be written on the posts of my house and on my gates. Then my neighbors will know where I stand, and whom I serve. They will not come to me to talk gossip and scandal, and to whisper away the good name of others with idle tongues. They will not wish me to be a partner with them in any evil work. They will be drawn rather towards the Book and towards the Lord.

In my personal history,
in the relationships of my home,
in my social fellowship--
may God rule through His Word, with an undisputed scepter and a gracious tyranny!

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Satan promises the best--but pays with the worst!

(Thomas Brooks)

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!" Romans 6:23

Satan promises the best--but pays with the worst!
He promises honor--and pays with disgrace.
He promises pleasure--and pays with pain.
He promises profit--and pays with loss.
He promises life--and pays with death.

But God pays as He promises--all His payments are made in pure gold!

"You have made known to me the path of life! You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!" Psalm 16:11

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My cruel sins!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"He was pierced for our transgressions,
 He was crushed for our iniquities;
 the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
 and by His wounds we are healed!" Isaiah 53:5

I had my own part in bringing the unutterable anguish on the Lamb of God! Not the chief priests alone, and Judas the false disciple, and the rough Roman soldiers, and the fickle multitudes--not these alone were His crucifiers.

I wove the crown of thorns for His brow!

I nailed Him to the shameful Tree!

My sin and my guiltiness led Him out to His bitter death!

But I am healed with His stripes. If I am humbled and convicted of sin when I consider Calvary--I am gladdened also. After the midnight of poignant self-accusation--there is the dawn of a divine and endless joy and peace! It was for me, that my Lord's unblemished body was bared and crushed! He assumed my misery--and reaped the bitter harvest I had sown. Thus I, once 'Graceless' of the City of Destruction--but now 'Christian' of the Pilgrim's narrow way--I have rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.

First I am stricken with self-reproach. But, as I linger on the Hill of the Cross--my sorrow is changed into song, and I go on my way with a merry heart.

The blood of Christ ransoms me,
  and His water washes me,
  and His bruises heal me,
  and His sweat refreshes me,
  and His wounds hide me!


"Ah, you my sins, my cruel sins,
 His chief tormentors were,
 Each of my sins became a nail,
 And unbelief the spear!"
       Isaac Watts

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Earth's glittering prizes!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2

Earth's joys grow dim. Earth's glittering prizes prove transient and unreal.

I desire to be delivered . . .
  from the inanities and vulgarities of the world,
  from the follies of fashion and pleasure,
  from the pride of riches and prestige.

"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever!" 1 John 2:17

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Greek, Latin, and Hebrew!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"And an inscription was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS!" Luke 23:38

Over His head they set up His accusation written, This is Jesus the King of the Jews. In Greek, Latin and Hebrew they wrote it, and "God," as George Herbert says, "God held their hands while they wrote!" For this title was a little gospel, told out in the three great languages of the earth.

If, like the Greeks, I prize beauty and wisdom above everything beside, it says, "Here is Jesus your King!" He, He alone, can create beauty within your soul, can banish its ugliness and make it lovely! He, He alone, can teach you the truest wisdom--the wisdom which answers all your questions and gives you peace.

If, like the Latins, (or Romans) I prize law and government and empire most of all, it says to me, "Here is Jesus your King!" He will bring you under the best law, the most beneficial law, the most gracious law. He will teach you how to govern yourself. He will win for you the empire over my own heart here and now--an empire over all things before very long!

If, like the Hebrews, I prize righteousness far above every other blessing, it says to me, "Here is Jesus your King!" There is none but He who can clothe you in a spotless righteousness, who can cancel your hideous guilt, who can justify you at God's bar, who can lift you into a new realm of pardon and purity!

His enemies meant it for evil--but God meant it for good! He is King of the human heart! And I, too, will bring forth the royal diadem, and will crown Him Lord of all!

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Remember . . .

(Thomas Wilcox, "Honey Out of the Rock")

"Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there!" Deuteronomy 24:18

Remember . . .
  your sins--and Christ's pardoning;
  your deserts--and Christ's merits;
  your weakness--and Christ's strength;
  your pride--and Christ's humility;
  your many infirmities--and Christ's restorings;
  your guilt--and Christ's new applications of His blood;
  your failings--and Christ's assistance;
  your needs--and Christ's fullness;
  your temptations--and Christ's tenderness;
  your vileness--and Christ's righteousness!

"Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years." Deuteronomy 8:2

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Stop bringing meaningless offerings!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations--I cannot bear your evil assemblies! Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts, My soul hates! They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them!" Isaiah 1:13-14

It is not mere outward ritual which God asks from me.

God desires my adoration:
  a sense of His solemn and consummate holiness;
  a bowing low in heart and mind before the sevenfold radiance of His majesty;
  a realizing of His infinite condescension in suffering and dying for me.
I cannot be too reverent when I am face to face with Him.

God desires my confession:
  a feeling of the evil of my doings, not superficial--but deep and penetrating;
  an abhorring of myself, and a repentance in dust and ashes;
  a cry from the depths, "In me dwells no good thing!"
I have need to understand more vividly, more humblingly, the exceeding sinfulness of sin.

God desires my petitions:
  a sincere pouring out of my soul's desires;
  a taking fast hold of God's almighty strength;
  a clinging with both hands earnestly to the Rock of Ages.
Simply, naturally, explicitly, whole-heartedly, let me unbosom my necessities to Him--that He may answer them according to His wise and holy will.

God desires my thanksgiving:
  thanksgiving which is thanks-living also;
  a humble ceasing to do evil, and a patient learning to do well;
  a glad and grateful obedience;
  a bondslave's vow, "I love my Master--I will not go out free!"
Jesus Christ asks all, from the innermost pulsation of conscious being--to the most tangible outworks of my life!

Such is the service my God will welcome--my God who hates all meaningless offerings, and who is wearied with mere ritualism and formality.

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Man's greatest happiness!

(Thomas Brooks)

"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life!" 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Man's holiness is now his greatest happiness.

In Heaven, man's greatest happiness will be his perfect holiness!

"Let him who does wrong, continue to do wrong;
 let him who is vile, continue to be vile;
 let him who does right, continue to do right;
 and let him who is holy, continue to be holy."
Revelation 22:11

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When I hide myself in the Rock of Ages cleft for me!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem--so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore!" Psalm 125:2

God, to the humble heart that leans on Him, is like the mountains which surround Jerusalem. In the mountain there is safety.

In this dangerous world, I am . . .
  pursued and hunted by principalities and powers,
  in peril of traps and snares and temptations,
  unable to secure my deliverance.
But God in Jesus Christ, becomes . . .
  my Refuge,
  my Rock,
  my Fortress,
  my Shield,
  my Deliverer,
  and my Strength!
I flee to Him, and I am in a secure dwelling--there is no evil which can befall me now. When I hide myself in the Rock of Ages cleft for me--who can separate me from the love of Christ? That Rock Himself would have to crumble, before any harm could come to my soul! I am so weak in itself--yet so strong in its Savior.

In the mountain there is assurance. I feel that the ground is solid and stable underneath my feet. My sorrow and sighing should flee away. My fears should be scattered. The Father and the Son and the Spirit are eternally mine! From all forebodings and anxieties, my Lord means me to be set free.

In the mountain there is everlastingness. My soul is wise when it builds its life-house on the Rock of . . .
  God's promises,
  God's grace,
  God's salvation!
The storm will never be able to blow it down.
The gates of Hell will never prevail against it.
Through the countless and varied changes of my lot--through death and through the long eternity that lies beyond--it will endure, incorruptible, immovable, abiding!

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth! He will not let your foot slip--He who watches over you will not slumber. The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm--He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore!" Psalm 121

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These peril-beset feet of mine!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"He will keep the feet of His saints!" 1 Samuel 2:9

It is a promise for the everyday walk of my life--the walk of . . .
  the soldier who pushes on, whatever enemies hinder his march;
  the pilgrim from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City;
  the child of God in company with his Father, the human hand linked in the divine.

Am I one of His saints? It seems to me often too high a title to claim. But let me remember that everything depends on what my heart is fixed upon.
The poet dreams about a masterpiece of music he is yet to write,
and the artist dreams about a surpassing picture he will paint one day,
and the sculptor dreams about a statue whose grandeur will draw all eyes.

What then, are my dreams? Are they about one day being . . .
  completely liberated from sin,
  and changed into the image of Christ,
  and perfected in holiness?
Then I am among the saints!

And He will keep my feet. Not from . . .
  the Valley of Humiliation,
  or the Garden of Sorrow,
  or the Hill of Cross-bearing.
No--but from . . .
  the temptation that ensnares me,
  the cliffs and precipices of sin,
  "the delicate plain called Ease,"
  the High Street of an overweening confidence in myself,
  the gloomy mountain-ravines of anxiety and despair.
It is a welcome assurance indeed.

None less than God Himself, keeps these peril-beset feet of mine! He brings many protecting influences into play:
  His precious promises,
  His clear commandments,
  the perfect example of Jesus,
  the influence of those who fear His name,
  the inner grace of His Holy Spirit.
Yes, yes; I walk safely--I walk at liberty--when the charge of my feet is with the all-loving, all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful redeemer-God!

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Thomas Watson's choice quotes on affliction

(Thomas Watson)

Affliction is a bitter root--but it bears sweet fruit!

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

God's afflicting rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more distinctly upon us.

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Affliction is God's flail to thresh off the husks--not to consume the precious grain.

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Fiery trials make golden Christians!

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

God only threshes the precious wheat--but He burns the useless chaff.
He chastens the righteous--but He condemns the wicked.

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

The godly have some good in them--therefore the devil afflicts them;
and some evil in them--therefore God afflicts them.

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Afflictions are sharp arrows--but are shot from the bow of a loving Father!

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

For one affliction--we have ten thousand mercies!

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

"Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I keep Your word!" Psalm 119:67

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted--that I may learn Your statutes!" Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right--and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me!" Psalm 119:75

"No chastening seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it!" Hebrews 12:11

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The thief!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise!"
   Luke 23:42-43

"Twas a thief," Robert Browning writes, "who said the last kind word to Christ."

In the morning the thief was OUT of Christ:
  far from God and far from righteousness,
  the helpless captive of sin,
  the child of despair and death.

At noon the thief was IN Christ:
  remembered graciously by the Savior of the lost,
  redeemed with an everlasting redemption,
  endowed with the new heart,
  and freely and perfectly justified.

In the evening the thief was WITH Christ:
  gazing on the glories of paradise,
  safe at home with his good Shepherd and adorable Redeemer.

What a crowded and memorable day this was in his history! So much was pressed into these few hours. Such a glorious and unprecedented transition they brought, from the cruel cross--to Heaven's glory!

OUT of Christ,
then IN Christ,
then WITH Christ!

Nature,
then grace,
then glory!

Hopelessly lost in the far country,
then safe under the Savior's wings,
then beside the Lord on His glorious throne!

Are these the three stages in my spiritual biography?

I know the first only too well.
Am I growing more and more familiar with the second?
Is it my joy to look forward to the third?

"I ask not the favor given to Paul," Copernicus said, "I seek not the grace bestowed upon Peter--but I beg the mercy granted to the thief on the cross!"

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Christ is never fully valued!

(J.C. Ryle)

"So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him!" Luke 20:15

This parable shows us the deep corruption of human nature. The conduct of the "wicked farmers" is a vivid representation of man's dealings with God.

Let us often pray that we may thoroughly understand the exceeding sinfulness of man's heart. Few of us, it may be feared, have the least conception of the strength and virulence of the spiritual disease with which we are born. Few entirely realize that "the carnal mind is enmity against God," and that unconverted human nature, if it had the power, would cast its Maker down from His throne!

The behavior of the wicked farmers before us, whatever we may please to think, is only a picture of what every natural man would do to God, if he only could.

To see these things is of great importance, for 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!