Fruit-bearing is not a matter of being strong or weak, good or bad, brave or cowardly, clever or foolish, experienced or inexperienced. Whatever your gifts, accomplishments, or virtues, they cannot produce fruit if you are detached from Jesus Christ. Christians who think they are bearing fruit apart from the Vine are only tying on artificial [...]
Sanctification
Nature and Means of Growth in Grace by Archibald Alexander
THE word ‘grace’ is of frequent occurrence, and high and interesting import, in the sacred Scriptures. In the great concern of man’s salvation, no other word has a richer meaning. But while the general idea of the term is every where retained, there are several shades of difference in the signification, as it is used [...]
The Transforming Effect of the Gospel by J. Gresham Machen
Modern thought is a mighty force. It is either subservient to the Gospel or else it is the deadliest enemy of the Gospel. For making it subservient, religious emotion is not enough, intellectual labor is also necessary. And that labor is being neglected. The Church has turned to easier tasks. And now she is reaping [...]
Essay on Guthrie’s The Christian’s Great Interest: Part I by Thomas Chalmers
There are few subjects or exercises more deeply important to professing Christians, than that which forms the principal topic in the following admirable treatise — the work of self-examination. But self-examination is a work of great difficulty, and is accordingly shrunk from, or altogether declined by the great body of professing Christians. It is more [...]
Essay on Guthrie’s The Christian’s Great Interest: Part II by Thomas Chalmers
Now, when we set about any new exercise whatever, we first begin with that which is easy, and afterwards proceed therefrom to that which is more arduous. In the work of self-examination, there is a scale of difficulty — and it were well perhaps that we should make our first entrance upon the work at [...]
Evidences of the Faith of God’s Elect – Preface by John Owen
Prefatory Note This treatise, entitled Gospel Grounds and Evidences of the Faith of God’s Elect,’ was given to the world in 1695. The remainder of the title is scarcely applicable as a correct designation of the leading divisions of the work. and may, perhaps, have been added by those who had the charge of publishing [...]
Evidences of the faith of God’s Elect – Introduction by John Owen
The securing of the spiritual comforts of believers in this life is a matter of the highest importance unto the glory of God, and their own advantage by the gospel. For God is abundantly willing that all the heirs of promise should receive strong consolation, and he has provided ways and means for the communication [...]
Evidences of the faith of God’s Elect – Part I by John Owen
How does saving faith approve of this way? on what accounts, and unto what ends? First, It approves of it, as that which every way becomes God to find out, to grant, and propose: so speaks the apostle, Heb.2:10, ‘It became him, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation [...]
Evidences of the faith of God’s Elect – Part II by John Owen
The second evidence of the faith of God’s elect The second way whereby true faith does evidence itself in the souls and consciences of believers, unto their supportment and comfort under all their conflicts with sin, in all their trials and temptations, is by a constant approbation of the revelation of the will of God [...]
Evidences of the faith of God’s Elect – Part III by John Owen
The third evidence of the faith of God’s elect Thirdly, Faith will evidence itself by a diligent, constant endeavour to keep itself and all grace in due exercise in all ordinances of divine worship, private and public. This is the touchstone of faith and spiritual obedience, the most intimate and difficult part of this exercise; [...]
Evidences of the faith of God’s Elect – Part IV by John Owen
The fourth evidence of the faith of God’s elect I come, in the next place, to instance in a peculiar way whereby true faith will evidence itself,–not always, but on some occasions: and this is by bringing the soul into a state of repentance. And three things must be spoken unto,– In general, what I [...]
Renewal After a Time of Spiritual Dullness – Part I by S. Hayward
What methods must a Christian, in declining circumstances, take to recover a healthful and vigorous frame of soul, so as to be able to maintain real and close communion with God, amidst the hurries and businesses of this world? From Religious Cases of Conscience (1755), by Samuel Pike and S. Hayward, ministers at London, England. [...]
Renewal after a Time of Spiritual Dullness – Part II by S. Hayward
What methods must a Christian, in declining circumstances, take to recover a healthful and vigorous frame of soul, so as to be able to maintain real and close communion with God, amidst the hurries and businesses of this world? II. When you have found the occasions of your decline, humble yourselves before the Lord, guard [...]
The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded – Part I by John Owen
Excerpted from The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded (1681), chapter XI. William H. Goold, the nineteenth-century editor of Owen’s Works, wrote concerning this treatise: ‘There is scarcely one of the more important works of Owen, but some authority might be quoted as signifying a preference for it as the best of his productions; [...]
The Necessity of Sanctification: A Brief Refutation of the Carnal Christian Heresy by Brian Schwertley
Throughout its history the church has been plagued with two heretical teachings regarding sanctification. One error confounds justification with sanctification and thus makes salvation dependent upon faith in Christ and good works. This is the heresy of legalism. This teaching in various forms is found throughout church history: the Judaizers of Paul’s day, the Ebionites, [...]
The Leading of the Spirit by Benjamine B. Warfield
‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.‘ Romans 8:14 (R. V.) THESE words constitute the classical passage in the New Testament on the great subject of the ‘leading of the Holy Spirit.’ They stand, indeed, almost without strict parallel in the New Testament. We read, no [...]
The Duty of Seeking the Things Which Are Jesus Christ’s by David Black
‘For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.‘ – Philippians 2:21. We cannot suppose that the apostle intended, by these words, to characterize all his fellow Christians, the whole multitude of believers — many of whom were conspicuous for a spirit and temper the very reverse of that which the apostle [...]
Not by Bread Alone by R. A. Torrey
There is nothing more important for the development of a Christian’s spiritual life than regular, systematic Bible study. It is as true in the spiritual life as in the physical life, that health depends on what we eat and how much we eat. ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’ (Matt. 4:4). The soul’s proper [...]
Nature and Means of Growth in Grace by Archibald Alexander
THE word ‘grace’ is of frequent occurrence, and high and interesting import, in the sacred Scriptures. In the great concern of man’s salvation, no other word has a richer meaning. But while the general idea of the term is every where retained, there are several shades of difference in the signification, as it is used [...]
John Owen and the “Normal” Christian Life: Or Sanctification in an Era of Confusion by John D. Hannah
The lament of recent writers over the deplorable state of theological consciousness in the churches is alarming. David Wells’ judgment that evangelicalism (being an expression of the Enlightenment which it so professes to oppose) is on the verge of ‘losing its character, if not its soul,’ has a ring of reality in it.1 Many of [...]
