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

Understanding The Gospel

How is it that individuals today fail to understand the true gospel of Christ. Some who are even seen as intellectuals can't seem to grasp the fact that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. If scripture is understood rightly, how can it be that so many people believe so many different things especially when it comes to salvation and sanctification? It would be better if the gospel were rejected altogether than to believe falsely. After hearing the experiences of several individuals as to their understanding of the gospel of Christ unto salvation, an all to common theme exists (understanding scripture) which is manifest in several ways. Some say that if God loves everyone He would never send anyone to Hell. Some believe if they try to be good or if they do good things God will allow them to go to Heaven and only bad people like rapists and murderers will be sent to Hell. Others don't even believe in a literal Hell. Some say they were born in a Christian home, therefore they themselves are Christians. If I was born in a garage would that make me a car? Some say they were baptized therefore they are Christians. Numerous people do not even believe in the existence of God despite the overwhelming evidence all around them. With all these differing beliefs it's no wonder that there is so much confusion, with so many opposing views the truth gets lost. Since the Jesus movement in the 1970's there seemed to be a shift in the gospel presentation that told people all they must do was believe that God existed or repeat a prayer, a sort of easy believism that only required an affirming acknowledgment that Jesus Christ was real and then He will forgive your sin. This shift led to a misunderstanding that those who followed this simplistic belief and acknowledgment could continue somewhat in their current lifestyle of sin without the fear of being damned to everlasting punishment in a lake of fire. A great number came away from this experience believing that God would continue to overlook their sins no matter how great or small by a simple apology, and they no longer had to deal with the consequences. However, they became a people who created in their own minds a god that they felt comfortable with. No more did they have to fear the wrath of a just and holy God, they had their ticket to Heaven. More and more the true gospel was watered down and made pleasant for all, the truth continued to be set aside in the name of love, tolerance and acceptance; even today greater than ever there are myriads of false converts are being created who have no distinct desire to follow Christ in their daily lives. Not only are they false converts but staunch in their beliefs of error, certain that their creation of god will forgive their wicked lifestyle. There is only one gospel and only one Christ and Redeemer of our souls. Ask anyone today to explain the gospel or who God is and you will get thousands upon thousands of different opinions, even from some who claim to be orthodox. In our efforts to reach as many people as we could possibly reach we have fashioned messages that appealed to the different wants and needs of others which ended up bringing forth results ranging from selfish unbelievers to ignorant lost souls. A very prominent pastor even said this; "If God punishes people in Hell then that is not a God I'm interested in trusting." This teaching is basically tearing apart the true gospel that many godly men gave up their lives to proclaim. Entire denominations have been built on the desires and the will of man with just enough truth to deceive it's hearers, teaching that our works somehow gain favor with God unto salvation. The gospel message of Christ can and will save the souls of men and women if proclaimed and responded to rightly. The soft, pleasing, comfortable, synthetic and counterfeit gospel will not save and will not change the hearts of this lost and dying world. As we are commanded to proclaim the gospel of Christ; be keenly aware that the words we use have the ability to lead others astray from the truth, to destroy the hearts of those who are hungry for truth and even crush the souls of the weak. Only the true gospel can save the soul. Until one acknowledges and confesses that they are a sinner, repents (turns from their lifestyle if sin), calls out to God for forgiveness, and puts their faith and trust in the work of Christ alone to save them from their sin and the wrath to come they cannot be accepted by God. We can't accept Him, He accepts us. Be diligent in your study of the scriptures, meditate on the word of God day and night, be found trustworthy, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

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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!

--- gracegems.org ---

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