Such I may have been--but for free and sovereign grace!

(James Smith, "The Book That Will Suit You!")

"By the grace of God--I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

Consider what you were--before saved by sovereign grace. Your heart was enmity against God, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked! You did not have one pure desire, one holy thought, or one feeling of love to God.

Further, what would you have been--but for the grace of God? Look at the vilest, the most debased, the most debauched of our race--and you may truly say, "Such I may have been--but for free and sovereign grace!"

"By the grace of God--I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

gracegems.org

God's prison!

(James Smith, "The Book You Will Like!" 1859)

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment--but the righteous to eternal life!" Matthew 25:46

The lost sinner takes the greatest of all risks--he risks suffering the torments of Hell forever, rather than yield himself to God.

He is in DANGER--the greatest possible danger; for he has broken God's law, is under its curse, and cannot possibly be saved--unless its demands are met, and its penalty endured.

How can he meet its demands? He is insolvent, and has nothing to pay.

How can he endure its penalty, which is to be punished with everlasting destruction?
The penalty due to sin--is Hell.
Hell is torment, wrath, despair!
Eternal torment!
Just and infinite wrath!
Never-ending despair!

If even the thought of these things is dreadful--then what must it be to actually endure them--and endure them forever, without hope, or mitigation, or end!

O what a fearful thing--to be in danger of Hell-fire! O how terrible the thought of being shut up in black despair, with devils and damned souls--the refuse of God's creation!

Hell is God's prison--where all His enemies are confined!

It is the place of punishment--where everyone suffers the just desert of his crimes!

It is a place horrible beyond description--beyond conception!

O, lost sinner! Hell is a dreadful place! To be damned is a terrible doom! It is forever! Yes, the worm that torments you--will never die; and the fire that punishes you--will never be quenched!

If you, my dear friend, live--neglecting God--walking in your own ways, and gratifying only your own passions and propensities--then you must go to Hell, and suffer God's just wrath--the punishment due to you for your sins!

God asks you, "Why will you die?" Why do you prefer . . .
death--to life,
damnation--to salvation,
Satan--to Jesus,
Hell--to Heaven?

Why?

gracegems.org

Let Fear Do It's Work

Do not fear the evil underhanded and destructive ways of the devil rather fear the power of the almighty infinite God of creation who not only has the power to extinguish your mortal body but also cast your very soul into the fiery depths of Hell where suffering never ever ends.

REPENT of your sin and TRUST in Jesus Christ, there is NO OTHER who can rescue you from the day of wrath that is coming.

Flee FROM sin.
Flee TO the Savior.

An unsaved person's perspective of Christians

(James Smith, "The Book You Will Like!" 1859)

I do not believe that you Christians believe your own creed--for if you were persuaded that things really are as your Bibles teach, and that we poor lost people were really going to such a dreadful place as you say Hell is--then you would act more humanely toward us.

If you saw our houses on fire--you would run and help us to put the fire out; or if you saw us in danger of death--you would try to do something to save us. But you pretend to believe that we are going to Hell, and that Hell burns with fire and brimstone forever, and that once there we can never get out--and yet you talk to us about all sorts of things--but never say one word to us about saving our souls from this terrible doom!

So I have reasoned thus: either you Christians don't believe what you say--or else you must be the most hardened and unfeeling wretches in the universe! Now, as I don't believe that you are such cruel, hardened, and unfeeling people as this supposes--then I must conclude that, with all your talk--you Christians don't really believe what your Bibles teach!

For if you really believe what you say about sin, and Hell, and our danger--then you would act differently; and if you have a spark of kindness in your hearts--you would try to save us from such a dreadful doom. And, on the other hand, if you do not believe what you profess--then you Christians cannot be honest; and to say the least, there must be a great deal of hypocrisy among you.

Now, I honestly tell you that these are the things which have stumbled me more than anything, and until I can see you Christians act differently--I will not be persuaded to believe what your sort of folks say.

gracegems.org

Watch out!

(James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit")

"Be watchful!" Revelation 3:2

Satan is watching--to devour us,
the world is watching--to ensnare us,
and God is watching--to protect us!

Jesus, our best friend, says to us, "Be watchful!"

Watch . . .
against the vanity of the world,
against your besetting sins,
against seasons of temptation, and
against Satan, the sworn enemy of your soul.

Unite together:
prayer to God,
dependence on His holy Word,
and watchfulness.

Pray to be kept . . .
from sin,
in temptation,
unspotted from the world.

Watch therefore, and pray always!

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The Heavenly Traveler

(Thomas Sherman, "Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ")

"They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth!" Hebrews 11:13

What heir, traveling to take possession of a rich inheritance, allows either a green meadow or pleasant garden to detain him; or a black cloud or a dirty road to dishearten him?

O my soul, you are traveling to take possession of a glorious eternal inheritance!
Will you turn aside--to pluck every flower?
Will you linger--to listen to every melodious sound?
Will you leave your way--to drink of every gliding stream of carnal pleasure?

What is this, but . . .
to lose a mansion--to view a meadow!
to sacrifice an eternal crown--for a dying flower!
to lose immortal felicity--for a flying vanity!
to forsake the way of Zion--to gather the grapes of Sodom!

Though, my soul, your way is in tears, and your days in sorrow, all clouded; yet here is enough to comfort you: that a loving Father, an unending portion, a sweet rest, and an everlasting refreshment--will make amends for all!

Therefore, this vain world does not allure me--for I will make no deviation, because my way lies to purer comforts, and surer glory! Vexing world, do not entice me--I will not halt, because I am traveling to my heavenly Father's house!

"They were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them!" Hebrews 11:16