By Grace ...

No one was ever saved because his sins were small. No one was ever rejected on account of the greatness of his sins. Where sin abounds grace shall much more abound. 

[Archibald Alexander]

Ephesians 2:8 ...  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 5:20 ... Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: ❤

The Peace of God ...

There are three words, pregnant with precious and important meaning, commonly used by the apostles in their salutations and benedictions, GRACE, MERCY, and PEACE. These words include everything which man needs or can desire. Peace is the legacy which Christ gave to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." (John 14:27)

And after his resurrection, the first time he met with his disciples when assembled together, he said, "Peace be unto you." He gives peace not as the world gives. He is the PRINCE OF PEACE, and his gospel is the "gospel of peace." It is called "the peace of God," because he is its author. It is a sweet and gentle stream which flows from the fountain of life beneath his throne. Happy is he who has received this heavenly gift; it will, in the midst of external storms and troubles, preserve his mind in a tranquil state. It is independent of external circumstances. It is most exquisitely enjoyed in times of affliction and persecution. "In the world you shall have tribulation; but these things have I spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace." (John 16:33)

It is a fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace." (Galatians 5:22) It includes reconciliation with God. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Peace of conscience is a fruit of reconciliation with God. The blood which reconciles, when sprinkled on the conscience, produces a sweet peace which can be obtained in no other way. If the atonement of Christ satisfies the law which condemned us, and we are assured that this atonement is accepted for us, conscience, which before condemned, as being the echo of the law, is now pacified. 

The peace of God also includes freedom from jarring, discordant passions of the mind. The wicked, however prosperous externally, can have no true peace within. Their ambition and pride and avarice, and love of ease and carnal indulgence, can never be harmonized. One may be the master-passion, but the others will arise and create disturbance and turmoil within. The only passion which effectually harmonizes the discordant passions of human nature, is the love of God. Wherever this is introduced, it will not only be predominant, but bring all other desires into willing subjection. 

The peace of God is not a mere negative blessing, consisting in exemption from the misery of discord; it is a positive enjoyment of the purest, sweetest kind. It is a foretaste of the bliss of heaven. Nothing on earth is so delightful. It is therefore said to "pass understanding." (Philippians 4:7) No one could have thought man's miserable soul could possess such enjoyment in this world. But why is so little known of the peace of God in the experience of professing Christians? I leave everyone to answer for himself. 

[Archibald Alexander]

2 John 1:3 ... Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. ❤

Growth in Grace!!

Growth in grace is evidenced by a more habitual vigilance against besetting sins and temptations, and by greater self-denial in regard to personal indulgence. A growing conscientiousness in regard to what may be called minor Christian duties is also a good sign. (The counterfeit of this is an over-scrupulous conscience, which sometimes haggles at the most innocent gratifications, and has led some to hesitate about taking their daily food.) 

Increasing spiritual mindedness is sure evidence of progress in piety; and this will always be accompanied by increasing deadness to the world. Continued aspirations for God, indicate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by whose agency all progress in sanctification is made. Increasing solicitude for the salvation of men, sorrow on account of their sinful and miserable condition, and a disposition tenderly to warn sinners of their danger evince a growing state of piety. 

It is also strong evidence of growth in grace, when you can bear injuries and provocations with meekness, and when you can from the heart, desire the temporal and eternal welfare of your bitterest enemies. An entire and confident reliance on the promises and providence of God, however dark may be your horizon, or however many difficulties environ you is a sign that you have learned to live by faith. Humble contentment with your condition, though it is one of poverty and obscurity shows that you have profited by sitting at the feet of Jesus. 

Diligence in the duties of our secular calling, with a view to the glory of God is evidence not to be despised. Indeed, there is no surer standard of spiritual growth, than a habit of aiming at the glory of God in everything! Increasing love to the brethren is a sure sign of growth; for as brotherly love is a proof of the existence of grace, so is the exercise of such love a proof of vigor in the divine life. A victory over besetting sins by which the person was frequently led away shows an increased vigor in grace. Sometimes the children of God grow faster when in the fiery furnace than elsewhere. As metals are purified by being cast into the fire so saints have their dross consumed and their graces brightened, by being cast into the furnace of affliction! 

[Archibald Alexander] 

2 Peter 3:18 ... But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

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The Cross!!

Whence came the tree from which the cross was made? What has become of the particles of which it was composed? What hands were employed in preparing this instrument of a cruel death? To such questions no answer can be given--and none is needed.  The cross was a common mode of punishment among several nations, and among the Romans was reserved for the punishment of slaves and the vilest malefactors. It was never made use of by the Jews. If they had had the power of execution in their hands when Christ suffered, the punishment for the offence alleged against him would have been stoning. But by the ordering of divine Providence, our Lord was put to death in that way, which was accursed, according to the Jewish law; for it was written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree." (Galatians 3:13)

 The death of Christ on the cross may well be reckoned mysterious, for it was at the same time a cursed and a blessed death. Christ was "made a curse for us," that he might deliver us from the curse of the law.  And yet Christ's death on the cross is the most blessed event which ever occurred in the world; for on the cross the price of our redemption was paid. Christ "bore our sins in his own body on the tree." He died, "the just for the unjust," to bring us unto God. This led Paul to say, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14)

The cross is a center in which many lines of truth meet. The cross is an incomprehensible mystery. That God should be manifest in the flesh, is the great "mystery of godliness." (1 Timothy 3:16) That the Prince of life should be crucified, was an event which caused the angels to stoop from their celestial thrones, that they might gaze in amazement upon it. The prophets who predicted these events were perplexed at their own prophecies, "They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating, when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow." (1 Peter 1:11)

The truths which are exhibited in a clear and strong light by the crucifixion of Christ, are such as these: 

1. The infinite evil of sin, which in order to its pardon required such a sacrifice. 

2. The holiness and justice of God, which would not allow sin to pass without full evidence of the divine disapprobation, and his inflexible purpose to visit it with deserved punishment. 

3. The wisdom of God, in contriving a method of salvation by which his own glory would be promoted in the eternal salvation of hell-deserving sinners. This wisdom is chiefly manifest in the incarnation of the Son of God, by which the divine and human natures are united in one person. 

4. But the most wonderful exhibition of the cross is the mercy of God, the love of God to sinners such love as never could have been conceived of, had it not been manifest by the gift of his own Son! "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

[Archibald Alexander]  

"None can perish that are clinging to the cross."

  Charles Spurgeon

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What I Desire ...

Spiritual knowledge is that view of divine truth which arises from the illumination of the Holy Spirit. With this divine illumination comes:

A lively exercise of faith, not merely in the way of assenting to the truth but confiding in the promises.

A holy susceptibility of heart, so that every thought of Christ may be a warm emotion of love and delight.

Godly fear, a profound veneration, yes, adoration of the divine majesty.

Deep humility, not only a feeling of littleness and weakness and ignorance, but of unworthiness and ill desert, together with contrition of spirit, a godly sorrow that works repentance.

A devotional spirit, a constant breathing after God, the living God.

Fervent spontaneous prayers in the midst of business and company.

Good-will to all men, and brotherly love.

Tender compassion for the afflicted.

Inward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, tranquility of mind, a peaceable temper.

Courage in opposing spiritual foes, and in aggressive assaults on the kingdom of darkness.

A spirit of wise enterprise in doing good; promptitude in seizing on opportunities of being useful.

Constancy and perseverance in well-doing bringing forth much fruit and continuing to bear fruit even in old age.

Assurance of pardon and acceptance, with a good hope, entering into that within the veil.

Patience under suffering, and the salutary benefits of sanctified affliction.

A grateful temper, ever disposed to give thanks, and to praise the Father of lights, from whom comes down every good and perfect gift.

Contentment with an obscure and humble condition in the world, without envy of the rich and great.

Let these things be in me and abound, and I ask no more.

[Archibald Alexander]

Psalm 37:4 ... Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

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Alexander Quotes 2

 Virtue consists in doing our duty in the several relations we sustain, in respect to ourselves, to our fellow men, and to God as known from reason, conscience, and revelation.

Is it not more reasonable to believe what God speaks in His Word, than to confide in our own crude and feeble conceptions.

Do not for a moment suppose that you must make yourself better, or prepare your heart for a worthy reception of Christ but come at once yet come as you are.

If you were not a sinful, polluted, helpless, and miserable creature this Savior would not be suited to you, and you would not be comprehended in his gracious invitations to sinful men.

Now, my friend, I beg you to consider that this blindness and unyielding hardness is the very core of your iniquity and to be convinced that you are thus blind and stupid, is true conviction of sin.

God has set before you an open door which no man has a right or power to shut. If you should be shut out, it will be by your own unbelief, and not for want of a warrant to come. Enter, then, without delay or hesitation. None can less afford to delay than the aged sinner. Now is the time. Now or never. You have, as it were, one foot already in the grave. Your opportunities will soon be over. Strive, then, I entreat you, to enter in at the strait gate!

In vain do we seek to awaken our churches to zeal in evangelism, as a separate thing. To be genuine, it must flow from love to Christ. It is when a sense of personal communion with the Son of God is highest that we shall be most fit for missionary work, either ourselves or to stir up others.

[Archibald Alexander]

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Alexander Quotes

No one was ever saved because his sins were small.  No one was ever rejected on account of the greatness of his sins. Where sin abounds grace shall much more abound.

However long you may have continued in rebellion, and however black and long the catalog of your sins yet if you will now turn to God by a sincere repentance, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall not be cast out!

God is not glorified in any transaction upon earth so much as in the conversion of a sinner.

All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass: "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners!"

It will never do to plead sin as an excuse for sin, or to attempt to justify sinful acts by pleading that we have an evil heart. This instead of being a valid apology, is the very ground of our condemnation.

Men are more accountable for their motives, than for anything else; and primarily, morality consists in the motives, that is in the affections.

It is as natural and reasonable for a dependent creature to apply to its Creator for what it needs, as for a child thus to solicit the aid of a parent who is believed to have the disposition and ability to bestow what it needs.

[Archibald Alexander]

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His Glory!!

There is no surer characteristic of a sincere lover of Christ, than a habitual desire to be like Christ, and an ardent zeal to promote His glory! 

[Archibald Alexander]

Galatians 6:14 ... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

2 Peter 3:18 ... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ❤

This is Against You

Declensions in vital piety are owing to a variety of causes, internal and external.

The whole, however, may be attributed to the temptations of Satan, the allurements of the world, and the inbred corruptions of the heart.

Such declensions are very commonly produced by too much interaction with a careless, money-loving, pleasure-seeking world. Vital religion is a delicate plant, and being surrounded by many unfavorable circumstances, is liable to receive injury from contact with a polluted world. Worldly company and too much occupation in secular affairs, are almost sure to deaden our pious affections and to disqualify us for spiritual exercises.

He who is clothed in white and clean garments, will find it difficult to avoid contracting spots which deform and defile his robes, when he is obliged to live in a filthy house.

It is hard to pursue the world just as far as duty calls and then to stop. When the efforts to acquire money or property are successful, a pleasure is naturally experienced in the acquisition of such things. After a while, an undue love of the world is apt to be generated insensibly and the evil creeps in insidiously.

But the undue love of the world, whether of its riches, its honors, or its pleasures will soon injuriously influence the love of the soul to its Savior. The thoughts are too much drawn off from the contemplation of divine things, and the relish for spiritual duties and enjoyments is insensibly diminished. The duties of the prayer closet are no longer anticipated with delight; and the hours consecrated to private devotion, which used to be the most pleasant in the whole day, do not now afford the same comfort as formerly. The lack of enjoyment in pious duties, the wandering thoughts in the midst of them, and the lack of lively feeling naturally tend to produce a backwardness to engage in them; so that were not the person forced, as it were, by conscience to enter his closet, he would often omit the duty altogether.

The most common means of restoring backsliders, is God's rod of affliction. The reason why God scourges every son who He receives, is that all have faults and imperfections, which a kind Father aims to correct by the use of the rod.

By affliction, the vanity of the world is seen and the infatuation produced by the love of the world is broken. The backslider is filled with sorrow for having departed from the fountain of living water, and is driven to seek refuge and comfort in the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Archibald Alexander]

Revelation 2:4 …  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

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Lessons The Spirit Teaches

1. The Spirit teaches us the worth of the soul.

2. The Spirit teaches us the value of time.

3. The Spirit teaches us to venerate the holy Scriptures as the infallible rule to guide our faith and practice.

4. The Spirit teaches us of our ruined and condemned state. He gives the soul a glimpse of indwelling sin by which it is convinced of its total depravity. Oh, what a multitude of evils! What a fountain of impurity! What a mass of corruption! The heart is found to be deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. There is found nothing in it truly good.

5. The Spirit teaches us to prize Christ above all. "To you who believe He is precious." The disciple treasures Jesus as  his infallible Prophet, his sovereign King, his sin-atoning Priest.

6. The Spirit teaches us to roll all our burdens on the Lord, and to live outside of ourselves by daily desiring vital supplies from Christ.

7. The Spirit teaches us the beauty of holiness.

8. The Spirit teaches us the reality and sweetness of communion with God. While many are contented to worship in the outward court the Christian desires to penetrate into the holy of holies, where he can hear the words, and see the resplendent face of Immanuel.

[Archibald Alexander]

John 14:26 ... But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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Internal Illumination

A genuine Christian is not only taught out of the Word, but by the Holy Spirit. External teaching, however correct, is not sufficient. We need internal illumination by the Spirit. Not that this divine Instructor teaches anything different from the Word. No! He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto us. He is the Spirit of truth, and will guide the disciples into all truth.

[Archibald Alexander]

John 16:13 ... Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.🕊

The Time is Short

What you intend to do, do quickly, for the time is short. While you are halting between two opinions, the door of mercy may be shut forever. Seize the present moment; break off your sins by repentance; renounce all confidence in your own good deeds or righteousness, and trust alone in the atoning sacrifice of Christ! "Whoever believes in him shall not be ashamed." Cry mightily to him for mercy, and for the Holy Spirit to sanctify you and aid you in every duty.

[Archibald Alexander]

2 Samuel 22:4 ... I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Acts 2:21 ... And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13 ... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ❤

Heaven!

Heaven is a reality, not seen by eyes of flesh, but made known by revelation, and received by faith.  Heaven is a rest from toil, trouble, temptation, and sin. Such a rest is very desirable, if it were only a sweet sleep; but heaven is more.  It is a state of delightful activity. Every faculty and every affection will find appropriate exercise; and probably latent powers, not needed here, will there be waked into activity, powers suited to the new condition in which the soul exists.

Heaven is full of light; all darkness and doubt are absent. Knowledge will there be clear, and will possess a transforming efficacy; still, knowledge in heaven will be progressive; the pleasure will partly consist in ever learning something unknown before.
 

Heaven is a region of perfect love; all the heart and mind and strength will be exerted in love. And if the power of loving should, in the progress of the immortal soul, be increased a thousand-fold, all this increased ability will be kept constantly in full stretch by the loveliness and glory of the objects of affection.
 

Christ is the center of attraction in heaven. From him radiate the rays of divine glory which enliven, attract, and beautify all the innumerable army of worshipers.
 

Love in heaven is pure, perfect, and reciprocal. He who loves, cannot be satisfied without a return of affection. And the more exalted and excellent the character of the person beloved, the sweeter the sense of his favor. Heavenly joy consists in loving with all the heart, and in being beloved.
 

As heaven is a society, the members are happy not only in loving their King, but in mutual love. There will exist no envy, nor jealousy, nor apathy. Every soul will be transparent to every other, and all will see that nothing but pure love exists in every heart.
 

Heaven is a place of peace, sweet peace, and uninterrupted harmony; all disturbing elements will be left behind. In the symbolical heavens of the Revelation, we read of wars; but in the heaven where saints and angels dwell and worship, war can have no place. The atmosphere of heaven is exempt from all evil; it is purity itself; all sin and impurity are denied admission into that holy place.

 

Heaven is a place of song: high affections are expressed in celestial music. O how elevating, how delightful the melodies!  Heaven is an unchanging state. All change is advancement in knowledge, in dignity, in happiness!

[Archibald Alexander]

 

  ✞✞✞

 

1 Corinthians 2:9 ... But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 

 

Hebrews 11:16 ... But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

 

 

1 Peter 1:4 ... To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

 

 

Revelation 21:4 ... And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

 

Revelation 21:23 ...  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.❤

The Cross

Whence came the tree from which the cross was made? What has become of the particles of which it was composed? What hands were employed in preparing this instrument of a cruel death? To such questions no answer can be given and none is needed.

The cross was a common mode of punishment among several nations, and among the Romans was reserved for the punishment of slaves and the vilest malefactors. It was never made use of by the Jews. If they had had the power of execution in their hands when Christ suffered, the punishment for the offence alleged against him would have been stoning. But by the ordering of divine Providence, our Lord was put to death in that way which was accursed, according to the Jewish law; for it was written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."

The death of Christ on the cross may well be reckoned mysterious, for it was at the same time a cursed and a blessed death. Christ was "made a curse for us," that he might deliver us from the curse of the law. And yet Christ's death on the cross is the most blessed event which ever occurred in the world; for on the cross the price of our redemption was paid. Christ "bore our sins in his own body on the tree." He died, "the just for the unjust," to bring us unto God.

 

[Archibald Alexander]

  ✞  ✞  ✞

 

 

Galatians 3:13 ... Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

 

 

1 Peter 3:18 ... For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:


1 Corinthians 1:18 ... For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.


Colossians 2:14-15 ... Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Galatians 6:14 ... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.❤

Growth in Grace

Growth in grace is evidenced by a more habitual vigilance against besetting sins and temptations, and by greater self-denial in regard to personal indulgence. A growing conscientiousness in regard to what may be called minor Christian duties is also a good sign. (The counterfeit of this is an over-scrupulous conscience, which sometimes haggles at the most innocent gratifications, and has led some to hesitate about taking their daily food.)

Increasing spiritual-mindedness is a sure evidence of progress in piety; and this will always be accompanied by increasing deadness to the world.

Continued aspirations for God, indicate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by whose agency all progress in sanctification is made.

Increasing solicitude for the salvation of men, sorrow on account of their sinful and miserable condition, and a disposition tenderly to warn sinners of their danger — evince a growing state of piety.

It is also a strong evidence of growth in grace, when you can bear injuries and provocations with meekness, and when you can from the heart desire the temporal and eternal welfare of your bitterest enemies.

An entire and confident reliance on the promises and providence of God, however dark may be your horizon, or however many difficulties environ you is a sign that you have learned to live by faith. Humble contentment with your condition, though it is one of poverty and obscurity shows that you have profited by sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Diligence in the duties of our secular calling, with a view to the glory of God, is an evidence not to be despised.

Indeed, there is no surer standard of spiritual growth than a habit of aiming at the glory of God in everything.

Increasing love to the brethren is a sure sign of growth; for as brotherly love is a proof of the existence of grace, so is the exercise of such love a proof of vigor in the divine life.

A victory over besetting sins by which the person was frequently led away shows an increased vigor in grace.

Sometimes the children of God grow faster when in the fiery furnace than elsewhere. As metals are purified by being cast into the fire, so saints have their dross consumed and their graces brightened; by being cast into the furnace of affliction.

[Archibald Alexander]

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2 Peter 3:18 ... But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

James 4:6 ... But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.


Philippians 1:6 ...  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: ❤