Is Sound Doctrine Important?

It is sound doctrine that makes you healthy spiritually, and it's the unsound ignorance that we have, as Christians, that makes us sick spiritually - S. Lewis Johnson

God’s Word Fails Not

Scripture was instrumental in our salvation, and it continues to perform God's work in us. Moreover, we know it accomplishes God's work without fail.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10–11)

If we want to experience God's supernatural work in our lives, we must understand that the Holy Spirit accomplishes it only through His Word. He has ordained no other means, no momentary emotional or existential experience that can catapult us to some greater spiritual maturity. We cannot set aside our Bibles and expect His sanctifying work to continue uninterrupted. God saved us through the power of His Word, and its work is not finished. We must increase our hunger for His truth, knowing it is the sole source of our spiritual lives and the only means by which the Spirit conforms us into the image of His Son. (paraphrased from John MacArthur)

There is a limit to our sickness!

There is a limit to our sickness!(Charles Spurgeon)



"This sickness is not unto death." John 11:4



From our Lord's words, we learn that there is a limit to our sickness. In all sickness, the Lord says to the waves of pain, "Hitherto shall you go--but no further!" His fixed purpose is not the destruction of His people--but the instruction of His people. Divine wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat.

1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. 

The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity and effects of all our sicknesses. 
Each painful throb is calculated, 
each sleepless hour is predestined, and 
each sanctifying result is eternally decreed. 
Nothing great or small, escapes the ordaining hand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head!

2. This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the designed end, and to the grace apportioned. 

Affliction does not come by chance--the weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds and measuring out the heavens, commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. We cannot suffer too much--nor be relieved too late!

3. The limit is tenderly appointed. 

The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. "He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." A mother's heart cries, "Spare my child!" but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how self-willed we are, it is a wonder that we are not chastised more severely! 



The thought is full of consolation, that He who has fixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation.

O what a sweet and pleasant life you would have!

O what a sweet and pleasant life you would have!

(Thomas Boston)



"Affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring from the ground!" Job 5:6

"I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things!" Isaiah 45:7

"The LORD brings death, and makes alive; He brings down to the grave, and raises up. 
 The LORD sends poverty, and wealth; He humbles, and He exalts." 1 Samuel 2:6-7 

Affliction does not rise out of the dust or come to us by chance. 

It is the Lord who sends affliction, and we should own and reverence His hand in it.

Let the people of God comfort themselves at all times by the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Amidst whatever befalls them, they should rest quietly and submissively in the bosom of God, considering that whatever comes to pass proceeds from the decree of their gracious Friend and reconciled Father, who knows what is best for them, and will make all things work together for their good.O what a sweet and pleasant life you would have under the heaviest pressures of affliction, and what heavenly serenity and tranquility of mind you would enjoy--if you would cheerfully acquiesce in the good will and pleasure of God, and embrace every dispensation, however sharp it may be, because it is determined and appointed for you by the eternal counsel of His will!See here the evil of murmuring and complaining at our lot in the world. How apt are you to quarrel with God, as if He were in the wrong in His dealings with you, and not according to your own desires and wishes! 

You demand a reason, and call God to an account: "Why am I thus? Why so much afflicted and distressed? Why so long afflicted? Why such a severe affliction rather than a lighter one? Why am I so poor, needy and afflicted?" 

Thus your hearts rise up against God. But you should remember that this is to defame the counsels of infinite wisdom, as if God had not ordered your affairs wisely enough in His eternal counsel. 

Our attitude should be that of Job's, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21

GraceGems.org

The Christian Religion and Government

No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people. - Noah Webster (Webster's 1928 American Dictionary of the English Language)

The Hell of Hell

Have you ever heard someone say, "If I end up in Hell at least I'll be there with all my friends having a party"? I was one of those many years ago!

The things that seem to dominate the thoughts of many are freedom, friends, and fun. Freedom to do whatever you want, with whoever you want, however you want, whenever you want. No worries about tomorrow just live for the day. Some call it the ME SYNDROME. If you want to know if someone has this condition just oppose their ideas, tell them that they could be wrong or simply question their motives. This will often cause a rage within them that manifests itself in a variety of ways such as profane language, slander, hate speech and even threats of physical violence.
The Bible shows us that selfish pride leads to destruction (Hell).

So, what is Hell REALLY like anyway?
Will Hell really be a non-stop party only without the benefit of air conditioning?

Let's look at the benefits of Hell for a moment.

Yes, many of your friends may be in Hell but if you end up there with them you will not be experiencing pleasant company with them, you will perceive you are alone.

Yes, Hell will be forever but in utter darkness, terrible anguish, and constant torment.

Yes, Hell will be fun if you like grinding your teeth in horrible non-stop pain.

It also seems that this party will be complete with it's own pool (a lake of fire).

What is absent in Hell?

Ecclesiastes 9:10 NASB
[10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

I remember when I was younger bragging about going to Hell until I really understood what it was like and what it's purpose was. I was foolish to believe the lie for so long.

A correct understanding of Hell is what makes God's grace so amazing.

All the Hell that ever you shall have!

Christian! Consider this: The trials and troubles, the calamities and miseries, the crosses and losses that you meet with in this world--are all the Hell that ever you shall have! - Thomas Brooks