Grace Gems

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Pithy gems from Spurgeon #3

(Charles Spurgeon)

   ~  ~  ~  ~

I feel that, if I could live a thousand lives, I would like to live them all for Christ.
Even then, I would feel that they were all too little a return for His great love to me!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is better to preach five words of God's Word--than five million words of man's wisdom!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

What sin is worth being eternally damned for?

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Let us never think that we have learned a doctrine, until we have seen its fruit in our lives.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A large part of the professing church is nothing better than the world, wrongfully named with Christ's name.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Anything that makes us pray is a blessing!

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The Bible, the Word of God!

(John Mason's Spiritual Sayings)


The Word of God must be . . .
  nearer to us than our friends,
  dearer to us than our lives,
  sweeter to us than our liberty, and
  pleasanter to us than all earthly comforts.


Take the candle of God's Word and search the corners of your heart.


We speak to God in prayer.
God speaks to us in His Word.


All arguments against the Word of God are fallacies;
  all ideas against the Word are delusions;
  all derision against the Word is folly; and
  all opposition against the Word is madness.


When God threatens, that's a time to repent;
when He promises, that's a time to believe;
when He commands, that's a time to obey.


If a man believed the threatenings of the Word of God,
he would tremble and fly to the promises for refuge.


As Christ came out of His Father's bosom, so
the promises came out of Christ's riven side.

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Pithy gems from Matthew Henry #2

   ~  ~  ~  ~

We cannot expect too little from man--nor too much from God!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A garment that is double-dyed, dipped again and again--will retain the color a great while. Just so will a truth which is the subject of meditation.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most pleasant life that anyone can live in this world.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The Bible is a letter God has sent to us.
Prayer is a letter we send to Him.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Nature is content with little;
grace is content with less;
lust is content with nothing!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Whatever we have of this world in our hands, our care must be to keep it out of our hearts--lest it come between us and Christ.

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I need to be daily kept!

(James Smith's autobiography, "Marvelous Mercy!" 1862)

The following in an excerpt from the diary of James Smith:

April 16, 1854.
During the past week I have had one of the most severe asthmatic attacks I ever experienced. How painful to labor and gasp for breath, as I then did. How different the things of time appear under such circumstances! How soon one feels willing to spread the wings and fly away. May I daily live under the impression I then felt.

How I long . . .
  for closer communion with God,
  to feel more of the sweet power of piety in my own heart,
  to walk with God in confidence,
  to lean upon Him,
  to cast every care upon Him,
  to leave everything with Him,
  to aim always, and in everything to glorify Him,
  to walk through the world as if one was walking straight home to God--to dwell with and to enjoy Him forever!

Yet I feel that I need to be daily kept--to have the Lord's eye constantly upon me, and His everlasting arms always beneath me!

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

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If Jesus is not loved above all!

(Thomas Doolittle, "Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!" 1693)

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;
 anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me!" Matthew 10:37

If Jesus is not loved above all--He is not sincerely loved at all.

There might be love of other things subordinate to the love of Christ, but not equal with it, much less superior to it. You might love your friends, and love your enjoyments, and love the comforts of your life--but you must love Christ above all. The love of these must be swallowed up in the love of Christ, and be subordinate unto it.

A man who does not love Christ more than sin, and more than pleasures and profits--has no sincere love to Christ, nor shall he be saved by Him.

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:25-27

That is, a true disciple of Christ must and ought to love these things less than Christ--and Christ with prevailing degrees of love. True love in the heart to Christ makes it incline more to Christ, than to all other things!

"Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love!" Ephesians 6:24

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You may as well throw your Bible away at once!

(J.C. Ryle, 1878)

"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the damnation of Hell?" Matthew 23:33

Is Hell real?

There is but one point to be settled, "What does the Word of God teach?"
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, Hell is real and true.
Hell is a true as Heaven, as true as the fact that Christ died upon the cross.

Disbelieve Hell, and you unscrew, unsettle, and unpin everything in the Scripture.
Disbelieve Hell, and you may as well throw your Bible away at once!

From "no Hell" to "no God" is but a series of steps!

Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, Hell will have inhabitants.

If I never spoke of Hell, I would think I had kept back something that was profitable, and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil!

A flood of false doctrine has lately broken in upon us. Men everywhere are telling us, "that God is too merciful to punish souls forever--that all mankind, however wicked and ungodly will sooner or later be saved." We are to embrace what is called "kinder theology," and treat Hell as a pagan fable.

This question lies at the very foundation of the whole Gospel. The moral attributes of God--His justice, His holiness, His purity, are all involved in it. The Scripture has spoken plainly and fully on the subject of Hell. If words mean anything, there is such a place as Hell. If texts are to be interpreted fairly, then most people will be cast into it. The same Bible which teaches that God in mercy and compassion sent Christ to die for sinners--also teaches that God hates sin, and must from His very nature punish all who cleave to sin and refuse the salvation He has provided.

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The holiness of a Christian!

(Letters of John Newton)

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells." Romans 7:18

The depravity of our fallen nature is, and will be, universally and always felt during our present earthly state. It insinuates into, and mixes with all our thoughts, and all our actions. It is inseparable from us, as the shadow from our bodies when the sun shines upon us.

The holiness of a Christian does not consist in a deliverance from depravity--but in being sensible of it, striving against it, and being humbled under it; and taking occasion from thence to admire our Savior, and rejoice in Him as our complete righteousness and sanctification.

The grace of God puts a great deal into the heart--but it takes nothing out. Nature and grace, flesh and spirit, will antagonize each other to the end of life. Therefore the life of a believer, while in the body, is a continual state of warfare.

The apostle felt a law in his members warring against the law of his mind. He would do good, but evil was present with him. He groaned, being burdened.

When we first set out, we hope to be spiritually rich--but the Lord's purpose is to make us sensible of our extreme poverty. We wish to be something--but He is teaching us that we are nothing.

When indeed we are willing to be nothing, that He may be all in all, in us and for us--then I think we reach the very acme of holiness. Then, while we feel that we have no sufficiency of ourselves, we shall be enabled to do all things that occur in the line of duty, through Him strengthening us.

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Pithy gems from John Newton #4

Abominations, like nests of vipers, lie quietly in us--until the rod of affliction arouses them. Then they hiss and show their venom! This discovery is indeed very distressing; yet, until it is made, we are prone to think ourselves much less vile than we really are, and cannot so heartily abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A deep sense of indwelling sin is essential to humble living.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

I have reason to praise Him for my trials, for most probably I would have been ruined without them!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

To see Him as He is, and to be like Him! This is worth dying for--and worth living for!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

People do their country more service by pleading for it in prayer--than by finding fault with things they have no power to alter!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Prosperity may cause us to rise in the world--but affliction is needful to raise us above the world!

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They are preaching up the devil's old, favorite doctrine!

(J.C. Ryle)

There is such a place as Hell. Let no one deceive you with vain words. What people do not like--they try hard not to believe. When the Lord Jesus Christ comes to judge the world, He will punish all who are not His disciples with a fearful punishment!

All who are found unrepentant and unbelieving;
all who have clung to sin;
all who have set their affections on worldly things;
all who are without a saving relationship to Christ--
all such shall come to a dreadful end! "Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life, was thrown into the Lake of Fire!" Revelation 20:15

1) I know that some people do not believe that there is any Hell at all. They think it impossible that there can be such a place. They call it inconsistent with the mercy of God. They say that it is too awful an idea to be really true. The devil of course, rejoices in the views of such people. They help his kingdom mightily. They are preaching up the devil's old, favorite doctrine, "You shall not surely die!" Genesis 3:4

2) I know furthermore, that some do not believe that Hell is eternal! They tell us that it is incredible that a compassionate God will punish people forever. They imagine that He will surely open the prison doors of Hell at last. This also is a mighty help to the devil's cause.

3) I know also that some believe that there is a Hell, but never allow that anybody is going there! They imagine that . . .
  all people are good,
  all are sincere,
  all mean well, and
  all, they hope, will go to Heaven when they die!
Alas! what a common delusion is this!

If I never spoke of Hell--I would think I had kept back something that was profitable, and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil.

Reader, I beseech you, in all tender affection--beware of false views of the subject on which I have been dwelling. Beware of new and strange doctrines about Hell and the eternity of punishment. Beware of manufacturing a god of your own:
  a god who is all mercy--but not just;
  a god who is all love--but not holy;
  a god who has a Heaven for everyone--but a Hell for none;
  a god who will make no distinction between the godly and the ungodly in eternity.

Such a god is an idol of your own imagination! It is as truly an idol, as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple! The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have made it! It is not the God of the Bible--and beside the God of the Bible, there is no God at all.

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Pithy gems from J.C. Ryle #2


Pride is the oldest and most common of sins.
Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross--and then go and set your affections on the world if you can!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The Gospel was not meant merely to reside in our intellect, memories, and tongues--but to be seen in our lives.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Happiness and contentment do not depend on outward circumstances--but on the state of the heart.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Health is a good thing; but sickness is far better--if it leads us to God.

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Pithy gems from J.C. Ryle #3


The beginning of the way to Heaven--is to feel that we are on the way to Hell.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough--a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice--which costs nothing, and is worth nothing!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christian! Your trials, crosses and conflicts are all temporary.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

I am one of those old-fashioned ministers who believe the whole Bible and everything that it contains.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

There are no lessons so useful--as those learned in the school of affliction.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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.

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Busy yourselves about toys and trifles!

("Christ's Famous Titles!" William Dyer, 1632-1696)

"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life." John 6:27

Labor more for inward purity--than for outward felicity.

That man who is a laboring bee for earthly prosperity, will be but an idle drone for heavenly felicity.
Gold in your bags will make you greater--but it is grace in your heart that will make you holier.
He is a rich man who lives upon his wealth--but he is a righteous man who lives upon his faith!
A heavenly conversation, is better than any earthly possession.
It is a great mercy to have a portion in the world--but to have the world for a portion, is a great misery.

Our affections were made for things that are above us, and not for things that are below us. "If you have been raised to new life with Christ," What then? "Set your hearts on things above! Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2

But, alas! some men are so in love with their golden bags, that they will ride with all possible haste to Hell--if they are but paid well for their pains! They look upon gain as the highest good, and not upon godliness as the highest gain!
They mind the present world so much--as if it would never have an ending!
They mind the world to come so little--as if it would never have a beginning!
The perishing things of this world--are all the happiness of the men of this world!
Oh, what wretched worldlings!

They are diligent about what is temporal--but negligent about what is eternal!
They are careful about fleeting vanities--but slothful about durable excellencies!
They feast their bodies--but starve their souls!
They lay up treasures on earth--but none in Heaven!

"Why do you spend money on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy?" Isaiah 55:2. He who knocks at the creature's door for true happiness--will find but an empty house kept there.

Oh, beloved, what is gold, compared to grace? What is earth, compared to Heaven? that you thus neglect the great things, the weighty things, the eternal things--and busy yourselves about toys and trifles! You have a crown to look after, a Heaven to look after, a kingdom to look after!

I beseech you, beloved, labor more for inward holiness--than for outward happiness!
Labor more for the seed of grace--than for the bag of gold!
Labor more for inward piety--than for outward plenty!
Labor more for a heavenly kingdom--than for an earthly possession!
The earth is a saint's passage--but Heaven is a saint's portion!

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Comfort, safety, strength, holiness!

(George Everard, "Talks about Home Life" 1878)

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are." Hebrews 4:15

There is no comfort, but in Christ's bosom.

There is no safety, but by Christ's side.

There is no strength, but in Christ's arm.

There is no holiness, but in Christ's footsteps.

Look up and see Christ, the merciful and gracious Savior, bending over you in most tender compassion.
He is very near to you. He marks . . .
  each sigh,
  each desire,
  each tear,
  each prayer.
He thinks upon and sympathizes with you.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with  confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

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Fear of God--or man?

(John Flavel)

The ungodly person fears man--not God.
"An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
 There is no fear of God before his eyes." Psalm 36:1

The strong Christian fears God--not man.
"Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him;
 he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 2:3

The weak Christian fears man too much--and God too little.
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
 Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Ec. 12:13

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The Complaint!

(James Smith, 1864)

"O my God, my soul is cast down within me!" Psalm 42:6

And why are you cast down?

"My heart is burdened with a sense of my short-comings.
 Every holy duty I perform is so imperfect.
 Every good purpose I form is so soon frustrated.
 Every hope of seeing better days is so soon beclouded.
 My heart is so fearfully depraved.
 My life is so unlike the life of Jesus.
 My affections are so unholy.
 My prayers are so brief and heartless.
 My praises are so feeble and fitful.
 I do so little good.
 I live to so little purpose.
 My evidences are so dim.
 My prospects are so overcast.
 I am harassed sometimes with the fear of death.
 I cannot grasp the glories of Heaven.
 I am dissatisfied with the world--and yet glued to it!
 I hate sin--and yet fall into it!
 I am a riddle, a mystery, a mass of inconsistency!
 Is it, then, any wonder that I am cast down?"

No, if you look at yourself, and pore over the things you have named--then it is no wonder that you are cast down! They are enough to cast anyone down! But if you carry them to the throne of grace, if you there confess them before God, if you look to the mercy of Jesus--then, in spite of them, you will not long be cast down.

I know it is difficult to do this. There is a natural proneness to pore over such things. One feels at times a secret liking to indulge in self-pity.

But we must look away from self--for if we do not, we shall become anxious, doubting and downcast! We must run the race--not looking at our imperfections, short-comings, and failures--but looking unto Jesus. He knows what we are. He knew what we would be--before He called us by His grace; yes, before He shed His sin-atoning blood for us!
He loved us, as sinners.
He died for us, as sinners.
He called us, as sinners.
He saves us, as sinners.
He will have great glory by saving such great sinners. We cannot do anything to repay Him for His wondrous love. Salvation is by free grace--from first to last! Believe this, and it will raise up your drooping mind!

The life-boat of free grace has put you on board the vessel of salvation, and that will convey you safely to the port of glory! Do not look at your spiritual destitution, or feebleness, or incapacity, or imperfections--but trust in your Pilot, rely on your Captain, and expect His mercy and merit to land you safely in Heaven at last!

Regardless of any amount of spiritual progress, your dying prayer will still be, "God be merciful unto me--a sinner!"

Hope in God!
His mercy is great unto the Heavens,
His grace is as free as the air,
His love is as changeless as His nature,
His promise is as immutable as His love.

He will save you for His own sake, and present you before assembled worlds as a monument of His mercy, and a trophy of His grace!

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
 Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and  my God!" Psalm 42:5