Paul's Subject # 2 (and others)

Paul's Subject # 2 (and others)

But all Christians love it, all the ministers of Christ glory in it, all poor perishing sinners need it!

The more we know of God's nature and government - the more we see of man's natural state and condition; and the more we feel of our own weakness and depravity - the more shall we prize and value the doctrine of the Cross. Christ, and Him crucified shall be the subject of my ministry, the theme of my songs, the joy of my heart, and the foundation of my everlasting hope!

Christians, what do we preach? We are all preachers - and we preach daily! But do we preach Christ? Do we speak of Him with our tongues? Do we write of Him with our pens? Do we honor Him with our lives? Is Christ and His glory, the grand end and aim of our life?

Why do we preach Christ? Is it out of love to Him? Is it that we may do good to souls? Is it that we may please God?

Christ crucified should be preached by every Christian. Christ crucified should be preached in all companies. Christ crucified should be preached every day.

Beloved, if we would save souls from death, if we would rescue sinners from eternal misery, if we would make believers happy, if we would cover satan with shame, if we would deprive death of its sting, and if we would make the road to glory plain - we must preach Christ crucified; we must exercise faith in Christ crucified; and we must daily meditate on Christ crucified!

May Christ and His Cross be all my theme!

May Christ and His Cross be all my hope!

May Christ and His Cross be all my joy!

Cross of Jesus! Jesus crucified!

To You would I look in life, and all its troubles!

To You would I look in death - and all its pangs!

To You would I look in glory - when filled with all its joys!

"God forbid, that I should glory, except in the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ!"

~James Smith~

(The End)
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An Angel on the Outside - and a Devil Within

"Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy - full of greed and self-indulgence!" (Matthew 23:25).

A hypocrite's outside never corresponds with his inside. A hypocrite's outside is one thing - and his inside another. A hypocrite's outside is religious - but his inside is wicked.

Hypocrites have a seeming sanctified outside - but are stuffed within with malice, pride, worldliness, and envy. 

A hypocrite may offer sacrifice with Cain, and fast with Jesebel, and humble himself with Ahab, and lament with the tears of Esau, and kiss Christ with Judas, and follow Christ with Demas, and be baptized with Simon Magus; and yet for all this, his indise is as bad as any of theirs!

A hypocrite is a Jacob on the outside - and an Esau within; a David on the outside - and a Saul within; a John on the outside - and a Judas within; a saint on the outside - and a satan within.

But let all such hypocrites know, that pretend sanctity is double iniquity - and accordingly at last they shall be dealt with. "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell!" (Matthew 23:33).

~Thomas Brooks~

(The End)