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God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Address thyself to the worship of God with a solemn pause, and take time to compose thyself for it, not going about it with precipitation, which is called hasting with the feet (Pro. 19:2). Keep thy thought from roving and wandering from the work; keep thy affections from running out towards wrong objects, for in the business of God’s house there is work enough for the whole man, and all too little to be employed… When we are in the house of God, we are in a special manner before God and in His presence, there where He has promised to meet His people, where His eye is upon us and ours ought to be unto Him
Matthew Henry

God’s ultimate goal for us, however, is that we be truly conformed to the likeness of His Son in our person as well as in our standing… Jesus did not die just to save us from the penalty of sin, nor even just to make us holy in our standing before God. He died to purify for Himself a people eager to obey Him, a people eager to be transformed into His likeness… This process of gradually conforming us to the likeness of Christ begins at the very moment of our salvation when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us and to actually give us a new life in Christ. We call this gradual process progressive sanctification, or growing in holiness, because it truly is a growth process.
Jerry Bridges

    • Religion Or Salvation Which H

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    Religion Or Salvation Which H

    RELIGION or SALVATION – Which Have You?

    Jesus said: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me. John 14:6.

    Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.

    How clear and concise: there should be neither confusion nor contradiction. There are many names under heaven in which we can find religion; but salvation can be found in one only. All have sinned Rom. 3:23, so all need a Saviour: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:23. At Calvary He paid sin’s awful penalty for all who will accept Him; but His death there was not to give men a religion; it was to provide Salvation.

    There is no salvation in priests; penance or prayers; but only in Christ. Service and sacraments, churches and charities, tears and treasure, ritual and reformation – A L L are alike helpless to save.

    Men are willing to give assent in their heads to the claims of Christianity; while refusing to accept in their hearts the Christ of Christianity.

    Men are willing to take the high place in the work and ritual of the church; while refusing to take the low place of guilty sinners needing a sinner’s Saviour.

    Men are willing to believe in the moral precepts of God’s Word, as based on the Commandments; while refusing to believe in, rest on, and receive God’s Son as Saviour of their souls, because of His finished work in their behalf at Calvary.

    Religion is the improvement of the old nature through respect for lofty principles. Salvation is the imparting of a new nature through receiving a Lowly Person. As many as received HIM to them gave HE power to become the sons of God. John 1:12.

    Religion clothes us with the robes of our own righteousness, which God says are as filthy rags. Isa. 64:6. Salvation clothes us in the perfect righteousness of Christ, which alone can make us acceptable in the sight of God.

    Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His Mercy He saved us. Titus 3:5.

    Religion is what man does for God. Salvation is what God does for man. Isa. 53:6.

    Religion says, Something in my hand I bring. Salvation says, Nothing in my hand I bring. Eph. 2:8, 9.

    Religion is trusting in a work we do. Salvation is trusting in a work that has been done. Matt. 26:28.

    Religion depends on our behaving. Salvation depends on our believing. Acts. 16:31.

    Religion says we must act our best. Salvation says we must accept God’s best. John 3:16 and 36.

    Religion depends on the sufficiency of character. Salvation depends on the Sacrifice of the Cross. I Cor. 1:18.

    Religion tries to furnish a sacrifice. Salvation trusts in a finished sacrifice. John 19:30.

    Religion is striving for a better attainment. Salvation is secured through a perfect atonement. I Pet. 1:18, 19.

    Religion tries to bring us from darkness to light. Salvation DOES bring us from Death unto Life. John 5:24.

    Religion says we must be found in God’s house. Salvation says we must be found in HIM, not having our own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Phil. 3:9.

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    Independence, MO 64061

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