Key Verse: "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." - Proverbs 22:4 KJV
As only in night dreams I cross impassable rivers, climb tremendous precipices, or fly in the open air; so it is only in spiritual slumber that I mount on the imaginary wing, climb the height of self-conceit, and stand on the precipice of pride. Were I truly awake, instead of being puffed up, I should tremble at my situation.
Key Verse: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
- Ephesians 2:8 KJV
The grace of God is the open fountain that saves the sinner. “By grace you are saved.” The grace of God is an infinite attribute of God. The first and last moving cause of our salvation is God’s grace. “No man comes to Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him,” said Jesus. The effectual call of God is of grace. Even our faith is the result of a divine operation. Our salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Key Verse: "For by one Spirit are we
all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we
be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV
The Church of God is equally one in the Holy Spirit. One Spirit regenerating all, fashioning all, teaching all, sealing all, comforting all, and dwelling in all. Degrees of grace and "diversities of gifts" there are, "but the same Spirit." That same Spirit making all believers partakers of the same divine nature, and then taking up his abode in each, must necessarily assimilate them in every essential quality, and feature, and attribute of the Christian character. Thus, the unity of the Church is an essential and a hidden unity.
Key Verse: "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." - Song of Solomon 4:16 KJV
Anything is better than the dead calm of indifference. Our souls may wisely desire the cold north wind of trouble—if that alone can be sanctified to the drawing forth of the perfume of our graces. We should not shrink from the most wintry blast that ever blew upon plants of grace. Did not the spouse in this verse humbly submit herself to the reproofs of her Beloved; only entreating Him to send forth His grace in some form, and making no stipulation as to the peculiar manner in which it should come? Did she not, like ourselves, become so utterly weary of deadness and unholy calm—that she sighed for any visitation which would motivate her to action?
Key Verse: "Elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood
of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
- 1 Peter 1:2 KJV
Peter declares that we are "elect unto obedience." Election unto eternal life, unto salvation, unto the blood of sprinkling many gladly hear of, receive, and profess. This, they say, is sweet and precious doctrine. And so indeed it is. But do they find or feel any similar sweetness and preciousness in being chosen and ordained to know and do the will of God?
Key Verse: "And when he had called
unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all
manner of disease."
- Matthew 10:1 KJV
The Lord Jesus had exhorted his disciples to pray that
God would send laborers into his harvest. He had scarcely given the command
before he answered the prayer by appointing these twelve disciples to preach
the word. He sent them forth by two and two, that they might have a
counselor, a companion, and a friend upon the journey. It is well not to
enter upon difficult undertakings alone. We are creatures that need
sympathy. Fellow-laborers in Christ's vineyard have often found great
comfort in each other, and become mutually endeared. None but Christians
know the love that binds those together who work, with a single heart, in
the same spot for the same Master.
Key Verse: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
- James 4:10 KJV
Humility is one of the most powerful yet misunderstood virtues in the Christian life. The world often equates humility with weakness, but Scripture reveals it as a position of strength, one that invites the favor and presence of God.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 22:1-8 KJV Key Verse: " By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. "...
