Grace Gems

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These petty troubles and vexations!

(George Everard, "Little Foxes, and How to Catch Them!" 1878.)

We must see our heavenly Father's hand in our lesser trials and cares, as much as in the greater ones.

David recognized the hand of God, in Absalom rising against him in rebellion--but he saw it no less in Shimei throwing stones and dust and casting bitter words at him.

Just so, let us see God's hand in everything. These petty troubles and vexations are a part of our schooling for Heaven. They are just as much sent from above, as the fierce storm that wrecks our home and leaves us desolate in a cold world. They all come . . .
  to prove us,
  to humble us,
  to draw out the grace which God has given us,
  to break the tie that binds us too closely to earth,
  to knit the tie that draws us nearer to Heaven.

Let us ever fix this in our minds. Let us say to ourselves,
"My Father has sent this trial!
 Not a sparrow falls to the ground without Him.
 The very hairs of my head are numbered by Him.
 So I will trust His heart, where I cannot trace His hand.
 He is too wise to be mistaken--and too good to be unkind!"

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He has a window into your heart!

(George Everard, "Little Foxes, and How to Catch Them!" 1878.)

"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me!" Matthew 15:7-8

Many professing Christians go to church from Sunday to Sunday, but in God's sight their worship is altogether in vain, as they offer their listless, heartless prayers. The lips speak--but the heart is dumb. The knee is bent--but the soul is unhumbled. Their thoughts are to the ends of the earth. Whether it is the prayers or the hymns--it matters not; for business and a multitude of worldly matters engage the mind, and there is no room for true worship.

Those who go regularly from habit to the House of God, are often living altogether unmindful of the truths they hear, or of the petitions they offer. Such is mere lip service, and profits nothing--but is rather abomination in the sight of God. How many sit before God as His people--and yet not one solitary petition is offered in earnest during the whole service. All kinds of subjects fill the mind and occupy the attention. Money, dress, business, a coming entertainment, yes even envious and malicious thoughts--are permitted to reign within the heart--and those who are apparently devout worshipers are content to have it so.

If this is so with any reader, remember the grievous sin you commit. God is not mocked. He has a window into your heart, and sees the innumerable multitude of vain thoughts which occupy the temple where He would dwell. You cannot deceive Him with such formal and hypocritical worship.

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Prayer

(Hannah More, "PRAYER")

Prayer is . . .
  the application of need, to Him who alone can relieve it,
  the confession of sin, to Him who alone can pardon it,
  the urgency of poverty,
  the prostration of humility,
  the fervency of penitence,
  the confidence of trust.

Prayer is . . .
  not eloquence, but earnestness,
  not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it,
  the "Lord, save us--or we perish!" of drowning Peter,
  the cry of faith, to the ear of mercy.

Adoration is the noblest employment of created beings.

Confession is the natural language of guilty creatures.

Gratitude is the spontaneous expression of pardoned sinners.

Prayer is desire--it is . . .
not a mere conception of the mind,
not an effort of the intellect,
not an act of the memory.

Prayer is . . .
  an elevation of the soul towards its Maker,
  a pressing sense of our own ignorance and infirmity,
  a consciousness . . .
      of the perfections of God,
      of His readiness to hear,
      of His power to help,
      of His willingness to save.

Prayer is not an emotion produced in the senses, nor an effect wrought by
the imagination--but a determination of the will, an effusion of the heart.

Sincere prayer gives . . .
  a tone to our conduct,
  a law to our actions,
  a rule to our thoughts,
  a bridle to our speech,
  a restraint to wrong passions,
  a check to ill tempers.

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The great idol!

(George Everard, "Backwards or Forwards--Which?" 1882)

"Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi." Ruth 1:14

If you are faithful, if you live godly in Christ Jesus--you will find that the reproach of the cross has not yet ceased. In some shape or other, you will have to bear this burden for Him, who bore the terrible burden of your sin.

Orpah was unwilling to give up the idols of Moab--Baal, Ashtareth, and the like. She preferred them, to the thrice holy Jehovah whom Naomi worshiped.

With the professor now, as with Orpah then, it is no easy thing to give up the idols which hitherto have reigned in the heart. Bear in mind that . . .
  whatever you love best,
  whatever eclipses the Sun of Righteousness in your soul,
  whatever rules on the throne of the inner man
--that is your idol, that is your God!

With Lot's wife, it was the society of Sodom.
With Balaam, it was Balak's silver and gold.
With the young ruler, it was his "great possessions."
With Demas, it was "this present evil world."

With you it may be one or other of these, or it may be something widely different. It may be . . .
  a friend or a relation,
  success in a lawful calling,
  the comfort of your own happy fireside,
  the praise of man, or
  some of the varied pleasures which the world offers.

But there is one idol more hard to part with than all these--I mean the great idol SELF! Self, in its thousand shapes, is ever claiming the first place in our hearts. Self-love, self-will, self-wisdom, self-importance, self-righteousness--all these are not easily cast out, and rise again and again to re-assert their power!

Be assured, my reader, that if any of these are uppermost, the day will most likely come that you will very plainly renounce that Savior whom you profess to have chosen. Or if you should carry the name of Christian even to the end--yet you are not Christ's. He reckons you not one of His. You have not chosen that good part which can never be taken from you. He has said, "Whoever does not forsake all that he has--he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33. That is, unless Christ is so preeminent in your affections, that you are willing to forsake all, even life itself, when it comes into competition with Him--you cannot be numbered among those who follow Him.

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My child, which will you have?

(Archibald Brown, "Christ's Own Joy, is Our Joy!")

O, beloved, I wish that we knew more of the joy of perfect and complete surrender to God. It is our will clashing with our Father's will, which makes us fretful. If only our will were one with His--it would be utterly impossible for us to ever be anything else than serene, calm and happy. Within our soul would dwell a depth of calm contentedness. Having no choice of our own, the soul would find equal joy in all. The "Nevertheless, not My will--but may Your will be done!" would prove perpetual music in the heart.

A soul thus surrendered, could make no choice if it were offered. If the Lord were to say, "My child, which will you have: health or sickness; a long life--or one snapped in two like a broken column; wealth--or poverty?" The soul would answer, "Father, I cannot say, because I do not know Your will. Tell me Your will, and I will tell You my choice, for my soul is Yours, as well as all else. I refer the case back again to You, my Father, and cry:
I dare not choose my lot,
  I would not, if I might!
But You choose for me, O my God,
  So shall I walk aright."

I know that this is a high standard to attain, and as I speak, I feel I am condemning myself in every other word. But shall we ignore a thing because it is above us? No, let us aim high, even if we do not reach the mark; for though our arrow falls short of the target, it will fly higher than if aimed at a lower object.

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Would we know what our treasure is?

(J.C. Ryle)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34 (NKJV)

"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Luke 12:34 (NLT)

Would we know what we ourselves are? Let us see whether we have our treasure in Heaven--or whether all our good things are here upon earth.

Would we know what our treasure is? Let us ask ourselves what we love most? This is the true test of character. This is the pulse of our religion. It matters little . . .
  what we say,
  or what we profess,
  or what preaching we admire,
  or what place of worship we attend.
What do we love? On what are our affections set? This is the great question.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

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HIM!

(Frank Hall)

"Oh that I knew where I might find HIM!" Job 23:3

Job's cattle were taken from him.
His children were all killed.
His flesh was covered with terrible boils.
His wife treated him as a stranger.
Even young children despised him.

But Job did not exclaim, "Oh that I knew where I might find my donkeys, oxen, and sheep! Oh that my wife would have compassion on me! Oh that my children were restored to my care!" Though every earthly support had been stripped from him, Job did not groan after the earthly things that he had lost. Job longed after one thing only, the one thing needful--HIM!

"I miss my children and love my wife, but I can live without either. These boils are tormenting my flesh, but I'll manage. I will survive without my servants, my cattle, and the respect of my companions--but I can't survive without Him! Take what you will O Lord, but don't take Him! Oh that I knew where I might find Him!"

The Universal Answer
The answer to every trouble, every question, and every difficulty in life is exactly the same--HIM! He is . . .
  the Solution to every problem,
  the Key that unlocks every door,
  the Sun that illuminates our path,
  the Light that dispels the darkness within,
  the Physician that heals our sin-sick, broken hearts,
  the Nurse that dresses the soldier's wounds in bandages of grace,
  the Bed of Rest for the heavy laden sinner,
  the Way of Escape for those who are tempted and tried.

We bring upon ourselves needless misery and pain, when we lean on the arm of the flesh for support. We subject ourselves to unnecessary disappointment when we run to and fro seeking assistance from the helpless helpers of this world.

Free salvation and almighty strength are in Him!
Undying support and eternal satisfaction are in Him!
Heavenly comfort and divine consolation, along with legions of other nameless blessings are all in Him!

The answer to all of your problems, my troubled friend, is not within, but without! Do not run to family or friends for help--they are . . .
  wells without water,
  leaky cisterns,
  helpless helpers,
  and broken crutches.
They may help you with financial trouble, but not with soul trouble.

The solution to every problem is always the same--Him! Oh that you knew your need of Him!

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Three golden balls!

(George Everard, "Counsels to Christians on the Details of Every-day Life!" 1866)

A good lesson may be gathered from a tale of olden time. It is fabled that a king had a daughter who was very swift of foot. So confident was he of her speed, that he engaged if any could outrun her in a race--he would have the kingdom of which she was the rightful heiress. The attempt was made by many, but in  vain.

At length one came forward who, by deceit, endeavored to succeed. In his hand he carried three golden balls, and when she was gaining ground upon him, he purposely let one of them fall near her. Stopping for a moment to pick up the treasure, she lost the position she had gained. Thrice, at intervals, he repeated the artifice, and with the same result. She had imagined that without difficulty she could regain lost ground, but it was beyond her power. Her adversary won the race, and took her crown!

Well may these golden balls represent to us, the honors, the gains, the vanities, and pleasures by which many are drawn aside--and, through the craft of their wily foe, lose their kingdom and their crown!

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10

"Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me!" 2 Timothy 4:10

"Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world, becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4

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The golden pipe!

(Hannah More, "Secret Prayer")

"When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6

It is the indispensable duty of every Christian to pray in private. Private prayer has many advantages.

Private prayer sweetly inclines and disposes a person to a cheerful performance of every other religious duty and service. The power of godliness in the soul flourishes or decays--as the private duties of the closet are attended to or neglected.

In secret we may more freely, fully, and safely unbosom our souls to God, than we can do in the presence of others.

Private prayer is a privilege of which a Christian may at all times avail himself. No time is unseasonable for such a purpose--and no place is unfit for such devotions. There is no corner so dark--no place so secret, but God is there! He never lacks . . .
  an eye to see,
  an ear to hear the cries and groans,
  nor a heart to grant the request--
of the one who sincerely prays to Him in secret.

There are no desires so confused--no requests so broken--no effort so feeble--as to escape His notice. The eye that God has upon His people in secret, is such a special tender eye of love as opens His ear, His heart, and His hand, for their good. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers." Psalm 34:15

Should their petitions be feeble and faint, and seem to them scarcely to reach the heavens--He will graciously bow down His ear, and attend to the prayer from sincere lips. He knows the intentions of the heart. He perceives the motions of the soul. He records them all in the book of His remembrance, and will one day openly reward all these secret transactions!

He who would have . . .
  his soul athirst for God,
  public ordinances delightful to his soul,
  his drooping spirits refreshed,
  his weak faith strengthened,
  his strong corruptions subdued, and
  his affections set on heavenly things--
should be frequent and fervent in secret prayer.

How strong in grace,
how victorious over sin,
how dead to the world,
how alive to Christ,
how fit to live,
how prepared to die--
might many a Christian have been--had he more diligently, seriously, and conscientiously discharged the duties of the closet!

The true Christian loves to pray secretly, and values such exercises for the effect they have on him in . . .
  humbling the soul,
  mortifying pride,
  debasing self,
  weaning the heart from the world,
  embittering sin,
  rendering the mind more spiritual, and
  exalting the Savior in the affections.

There is no means of grace more enriching to the soul than private prayer. It is the golden pipe, through which the Lord is graciously pleased to convey all spiritual blessings to the soul.

Thus the Christian, withdrawn for a season from the world, and realizing the immediate presence of God, the solemness of eternity, and the vast importance of heavenly things--prays to his Father, who sees in secret. He gets more humbling views of himself, and makes fresh discoveries . . .
  of the exceeding sinfulness of his sin,
  of the super-aboundings of Divine grace,
  of the boundless patience of the Lord,
  of the unfathomable grace He has bestowed on him,
  of the astonishing deliverances He has wrought for him, and
  of the abundant mercy which is treasured up in Christ Jesus for all true believers.

How lamentable it is, that a duty so obvious, a privilege so great, a means of grace so enriching to the soul--should ever be neglected!

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The Christian should remember that every day he lives

(Hannah More, "Self-Examination")

The Christian should remember that every day he lives, he has . . .
   a God to glorify,
   a soul to save,
   repentance to perform,
   a Savior to believe and imitate,
   a body to mortify through the Spirit,
   graces and virtues to nurture by earnest prayer,
   sins to weep over and forsake,
   mercies and deliverances to be thankful for,
   a Hell to avoid,
   a Paradise to gain,
   an eternity to meditate upon,
   time to redeem,
   a neighbor to edify,
   works of charity to perform,
   a world to fear, and yet to conquer,
   demons to combat,
   passions to subdue, and
   perhaps, death to suffer, and judgment to undergo!
And all these must be met and performed in the grace of Christ, and not in your own strength, which is perfect weakness.

"Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

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The time is short!

(Don Fortner)

"The time is short!" 1 Corinthians 7:29

We are living in a world where all things are temporary. Everything here is perishing. We are going to a world where all things are eternal. If we are wise, we will live in this world with our hearts fixed on eternity. And when we look at all things in this world with an eye to eternity, there is one striking fact that we cannot avoid--The time is short!

The time of your life is short. "What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away." "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle." My friend, your days are numbered. Soon, you will have taken your last breath. Be warned!

Blessed be God, the time for suffering is short. Let us not faint, nor grow weary, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Since the time is short, we must be detached from the things of this world. We must hold the dearest objects of this life with a loose hand, and cling only to Christ. Take your dearest earthly possessions--your money, your lands, your friends, your family--and place this brand upon them--PERISHING! Christ alone and the riches of His grace are eternal.

What then must we do with the time that we have? We must redeem the time. Buy up every opportunity to worship and serve Christ. Buy up every opportunity to point men and women to Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Much time is gone already, the days are evil, and the time that remains is short. Therefore, I say, redeem the time!

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And WHY, dear Savior--tell me why?

(James Smith "Redeeming Love!" 1861)

"He gave Himself for us--that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works." Titus 2:14

"HE gave Himself for us." Note the contrast between the Giver--and those for whom He gave Himself.

The Giver is He who was . . .
  the only begotten Son of God,
  the author of creation,
  the sustainer of the universe,
  the brightness of divine glory,
  the source and end of all things!
He who was proclaimed by the prophet as "the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace."
He who is declared by the apostle to be "God over all--blessed for evermore!"

"He gave Himself for US." For US--who at the best are mere creatures, between whom and our Creator, there can be no comparison. But it was not for us as mere creatures--but for us as base, vile, insignificant, and totally depraved creatures! We had debased ourselves, even unto Hell. Our nature could not be worse, for "the human heart is the most deceitful of all things--and desperately wicked!"

The most exalted, glorious, and holy being in the universe--gave Himself for the most vile, polluted, and degraded of His creatures!

O how astonishing!

But He volunteered on our behalf, without any solicitation, offering to become . . .
  our Substitute--to fulfill the law in our stead;
  our Sacrifice--to make a full atonement for our sins; and
  our Ransomer--to pay the satisfactory price for our redemption.

He engaged to bear the desert of all our sins in His own body--to suffer all that the inflexible justice of God could inflict on our Surety--and so put away our sins forever, by the sacrifice of Himself. He gave . . .
  His person--for our persons;
  His blood--as our ransom price;
  and His life--for our lives!

He gave His entire self, doing and suffering all that was necessary to secure our release from sin's curse, and our everlasting salvation.

O amazing grace of a gracious Savior!

He gave Himself--that He might justly redeem, ransom, or deliver us--from the guilt, power, and penal consequences of sin.

He gave Himself--to expiate the guilt, to destroy the power, and secure us against the eternal desert of our transgressions.

He gave Himself to purify unto Himself, by fully expiating their sins--a peculiar people:
a people purchased--to be peculiarly His own;
a people sanctified, separated from all others--to be set apart for Himself;
a people to be His own subjects--as the King of Zion;
a people to be His own soldiers--as the Captain of our salvation;
a people to be His own servants--as the Lord of the house;
a people to be His own children--as the everlasting Father!

"He gave Himself!" The love of Jesus is unparalleled. Out of pure love to us who had no love to Him, nor ever would have had--but for His first loving us! He gave, not only His time, His labor, His wealth--but Himself! He gave His entire person as the God-man, the incarnate Jehovah!

"He gave Himself!" This was more than as if He had given a thousand worlds--for these He could create with a word!

"He gave Himself," and not merely to live for us, or labor for us--but even to die for us!

"He gave Himself," and not even to die some easy and honorable death--but the most painful, shameful death, that any man ever invented, or any creature ever suffered!

O wondrous love!


And WHY, dear Savior--tell me why,
You thus would suffer, bleed and die?
What mighty motive could Thee move,
The motive's plain--'twas all for love!

For love of whom? Of sinners base,
A hardened herd, a rebel race!
That mocked and trampled on Thy blood,
And trifled with the wounds of God!

They nailed Him to the accursed tree;
They did, my brethren--and so did we!
The soldier pierced His side, 'tis true;
But we have pierced Him through and through!

O Jesus, never, never was there love like Yours!

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Would you see what sin is?

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

"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

There is a picture which represents the after-scenes on that day of the crucifixion.

It is all over. The crowds have gone away. The evening sun is shining out again on Calvary. The body of the Savior has been borne to the sepulcher. The cross has been taken down, and lies on the ground. A company of little children, bright with the glow of childhood's innocence, led to the place by accident or curiosity, are seen bending over the signs of the day's terrible work. One of the children holds in his hand a nail, which a little time before, had pierced a hand or a foot of the patient Sufferer, and stands spellbound with horror as he gazes at it. His gentle heart is shocked at sin's dreadful work! On all the children's faces, the same expression of horror is depicted.

No one with pure and gentle heart, can ever look at the death of Christ on the cross--with any but feelings of amazement and horror at sin's awfulness!

It was sin that nailed Jesus on the cross!

It was sin that wreathed the circlet of thorns for His brow!

We say the Jews crucified Christ; yes--but WE helped to do it!

Our sins drove the nails!

Would you see what sin is? Stand by the cross and ponder its terrible work, there in the death of the Redeemer. See what it cost the Lamb of God, to take away sin!

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What is to be our resource in the hour of affliction and sorrow?

(George Everard, "Family Sorrows" 1882)

What is to be our resource in the hour of affliction and sorrow?

There is one passage of Scripture that has been to me an anchor of hope and strength in many a dark and sorrowful day, and I desire that it might be cherished in the memory of each reader, and its guidance followed when trouble comes: "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." 1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified version)

Go then to the mercy-seat in the Savior's name, and bring your whole care and sorrow, and leave it at your Father's footstool.

Consider His Fatherly HEART. "He cares for you." As a father pities his children, yes "as one whom his mother comforts"--so tenderly does the Lord deal with those who fear Him and trust in Him.

Consider His Fatherly HAND. It is the hand of love that smites. It is the hand that has bestowed our every mercy--which holds the cup of sorrow. It is the same hand that in due season will remove our trials, and lift us up from our depths of distress, and set us again on the rock of safety and peace.

Consider His Fatherly EYE. It is ever upon us for good, and not for evil. He knows our sorrow, and beholds every affliction and calamity that befalls us. "Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope in His mercy."

Consider His Fatherly EAR. He hears every sigh, every moaning, every cry. He bows down and inclines His ear to every petition. "His ear is open to our prayer."

Consider His Fatherly PURPOSE. Read the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, and see how He wills only our good. He would make us "partakers of His holiness." He would purify us from the dross of our corruptions, and make us fit for His presence.

Consider His Fatherly PROMISE. He has promised that He will "never leave us nor forsake us." He has promised that He will make "all things work together for good to those who love Him." "He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

Ah, Christian, trust yourself wholly to your Father's care, and He will not disappoint your confidence!

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The believer's lesson book!

(George Everard, "Beneath the Cross" 1877)

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!" Galatians 6:14

The cross of Christ is the believer's lesson book. The sufferings He bore for our sake, should be the subject of our constant meditation.

Nowhere, as in the Cross and in the scenes connected with it--do we see such revelations of the heart of Christ.

Mercy shines forth in her beauty . . .
  seeking pardon for His cruel murderers,
  compassionating the daughters of Jerusalem,
  and saving a sinner of the deepest dye!

Justice, too, stands forth in unsullied glory. In paying the debt of human guilt, in bearing the penalty of a broken law--Christ is seen to be a just God, as also a Savior.

In our Lord's suffering and death, there is precious instruction for the believer in almost every matter belonging to the Christian life . . .
  what are the perils you are likely to meet with--and how best to overcome them;
  what should be your life in secret before God--and what should be your path in the world;
  what is your strength in the hour of temptation, and in the season of sorrow;
  how to crucify the world--and how to glorify God in the position which you occupy
--all this may be learned in fellowship with our suffering Redeemer.

Beneath the Cross likewise, you may best learn to cultivate every Christian grace and virtue.
Meekness and courage,
zeal and love,
prayer and patience and forebearance,
and submission to the will of God--
are the fruits of a believing view of Christ's death.

You may learn, too, to conquer sin by the sight of that which it cost Christ to save you from it. The nail and the spear may be driven through the sins which have been most cherished. You may thus be enabled to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts.

And beneath the Cross you may learn another lesson. You may learn how to die. Through death, Christ has destroyed the power of death--the sting is gone. To him who believes, death is life--for it is departing to be with Christ, which is far better.

Therefore let us often betake ourselves to Calvary. Let memory recall and ponder those hours on which our everlasting peace depends. Let our faith bridge over the centuries that have passed between. Let us go and stand in thought, beside the faithful women who were last at the cross, and first at the grave. Let us look again, and yet again, and discover new lessons of instruction and fresh grounds for the deepest contrition, as also for everlasting joy and thankfulness--beneath the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.