Grace Gems for SEPTEMBER 2013
 

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A prayer for the devil!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Free Will — A Slave" 1855)

You have heard a great many Arminian sermons, I dare say; but you never heard an Arminian prayer — for the saints in prayer appear as one in word, and deed and mind. An Arminian on his knees would pray desperately like a Calvinist. He cannot pray about free-will — there is no room for it. Imagine him praying:

"Lord, I thank you I am not like those poor presumptuous Calvinists. Lord, I was born with a glorious free-will; I was born with power by which I can turn to you of myself; I have improved my grace. If everybody had done the same with their grace that I have — they might all have been saved. Lord, I know You do not make us willing, if we are not willing ourselves. You give grace to everybody; some do not improve it, but I do. There are many that will go to Hell as much bought with the blood of Christ as I was; they had as much of the Holy Spirit given to them; they had as good a chance, and were as much blessed as I am. It was not Your grace that made us to differ; I know it did a great deal — still I turned the point; I made use of what was given me, and others did not — that is the difference between me and them."

That is a prayer for the devil, for nobody else would offer such a prayer as that!

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He makes no mistakes!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"He led them forth by the right way" Psalm 107:7

God leads every one of His children by the right way. He knows where and under what influences each particular life will ripen best.

One plant grows best in the sheltered valley, another by the water's edge, another on the bleak mountaintop swept by storms. God puts every tree or plant in the locality where the conditions of its growth exist — and does God give more thought to trees and plants, than to His own children? He places us amid the circumstances and experiences in which our life will grow and ripen the best!

The peculiar discipline to which we are each subjected, is the discipline we especially need to bring out in us the beauties and graces of true spiritual character. God knows what is best — He makes no mistakes!

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

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Nevertheless, I want Your will to be done, not mine!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Nevertheless, I want Your will to be done, not mine!" Luke 22:42

The best thing possible for us, is always what God wills for us. Sometimes God's will may be pain, or worldly loss, or sore bereavement. Yet His will is always love, and in simple acquiescence to this will, we shall always find our highest good. No prayer, therefore, is pleasing to God which does not end with this refrain of Gethsemane, "Nevertheless, I want Your will to be done, not mine!"

This is also the way to peace. As we yield with love and joy, and merge our own will in our Father's — the peace of God flows like a river into our souls.

"Let the Lord's will be done." Acts 21:14

"It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him." 1 Samuel 3:18

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Practice-lessons in the application of the theories of Christian life

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

Every obstacle to holy living should only serve us with fresh determination to succeed. We should use each difficulty and hardship as a leverage to gain some new advantage. We should compel our temptations to minister to us, instead of hindering us. We should regard all our provocations, annoyances, and trials, of whatever sort — as practice-lessons in the application of the theories of Christian life.

It will be seen in the end, that the hardships and difficulties are by no means the smallest blessings in our lives. Someone compares them to the weights of a clock, without which there could be no steady, orderly life.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!" James 1:2-4

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

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God does not simply remove our ugly character traits!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13

Each one's battle must be a personal one. No one can reach the summit, without climbing the steep mountain path. We cannot be borne up on another's strong shoulder. No one can carry us up.

God does not simply put beautiful Christian graces into our lives, as the jeweler sets gems in a coronet. God does not simply remove our ugly character traits — and replace them by lovely ones. Each Christian must persevere through trials, troubles and temptations — to all noble spiritual attainments. While God works in us — we are to work out our own salvation.

"To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me!" Colossians 1:29

"He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My son!" Revelation 21:7

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The God of the broken-hearted!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds!" Psalm 147:3

The God of the Bible, is the God of the broken-hearted.

The world cares little for broken hearts. Indeed, men often break hearts by their cruelty, their falseness, their injustice, their coldness — and then move on as heedlessly as if they had trodden only on a worm!

But God cares. The broken-heartedness of His people attracts Him. The lament of grief on earth, draws Him down from Heaven!

"The LORD is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

"He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted" Luke 4:18

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I was almost gone!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone!" Psalm 73:2

The God of the Bible, is the God of those who have failed. Wherever there is a weak, stumbling Christian, unable to walk alone — to him the Divine heart goes out in tender thought and sympathy, and the Divine hand is extended to support him and keep him from falling. Wherever one has fallen, and lies in defeat or failure — over him bends the Heavenly Father in kindly pity, to raise him up and to help him to begin again.

"Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory!" Psalm 73:23-24

"My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me!" Psalm 63:8

"Hold me up — and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

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The countless lowly ministries of the every-days

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"She has done what she could!" Mark 14:8

It is in the everyday of life, that nearly all the world's best work is done.

The tall mountain-peaks lift their glittering crests into the clouds, and win attention and admiration. But it is in the great valleys and broad plains, that the harvests grow and the fruits ripen, on which the millions of earth feed their hunger.

In the same way, it is not from the few great and conspicuous deeds of life that the blessings chiefly come which make the world better, sweeter, holier — but from the countless lowly ministries of the every-days, the little faithfulnesses that fill long years.

"Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful in a very little thing" Luke 19:17

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Following Jesus!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me!" Matthew 16:24

"After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. 'Follow Me,' Jesus said to him; and Levi got up, left everything and followed Him." Luke 5:27-28

"We have left everything to follow You!" Mark 10:28

To follow Christ is to go where He leads, without questioning or demurring. It may be to a life of trial, suffering, or sacrifice — but no matter; we have nothing whatever to do with the kind of life to which our Lord calls us. Our only simple duty is to obey and follow.

We know that Jesus will lead us only in right paths, and that the way He takes slopes upward and ends in eternal glory!

Each new day on which we are about to enter is unopened, and we know not what shall befall us; but if we follow Christ, we need have no fear. So let us leave the old day with gratitude to God for its mercies, with penitence for its failures and sins — and let us enter the new day with earnest resolve in Christ's name to make it the holiest and most beautiful we have ever lived, as we follow Him.

"My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish — ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!" John 10:27-28

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There is a wondrous charm in a gentle spirit

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" Matthew 11:29

There is a wondrous charm in a gentle spirit.
For instance, the gentle girl in the home may not be . . .
  beautiful, nor
  well educated, nor
  clever in any way.
But wherever she moves, she leaves a blessing.

Close beside every Christian, stands One who holds all gifts and graces in His hands. Jesus looks into our face and asks what new adornment He shall give us. Let us pray for the spirit of gentleness, for no other gift will make us such a blessing to others.

"The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness" Galatians 5:22

"Let your gentleness be evident to all." Philippians 4:5

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

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Do we understand what love is?

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

Do we understand what love is? We like to be loved, that is, to have other people love us, and live for us, and do things for us. We like the gratifications of love. But that is only miserable selfishness, if it goes no further. It is a desecration of the sacred name, to think that love, at its heart, means getting, receiving. Nay, love gives.

That is what God's love does — it finds its blessedness in giving. "God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son." That is what Christ's love does — it pours out its very lifeblood, to the last drop!

The essential meaning of loving must always be giving, not receiving.

"Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her" Ephesians 5:25

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Your life preaches all the week!

(Robert Murray M'Cheyne)

Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two — but your life preaches all the week!

If Satan can only make a covetous minister a lover of praise, of pleasure, of good eating — he has ruined your ministry.

In great measure, according to the purity and graces of the instrument, will be success. It is not great talents God blesses, so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an powerful weapon in the hand of God!

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O eternity!

(James Smith, "The Way of Salvation Set Forth")

My soul is immortal — it can never cease to be.

It is destined by the immutable decree of God, to exist eternally.

O eternity! Who can conceive your dimensions!

Forever — who can grasp the mighty idea!

To exist forever — solemn consideration!

Millions of ages as numerous . . .
  as the stars in the skies,
  as the sands on the sea-shore,
  as blades of grass on the surface of the globe,
  as leaves which fall from the trees in autumn
 — are as nothing in comparison with eternity!

But where shall I exist?

How will I spend eternity?

In happiness — or in torment?

That will entirely depend upon the character, the state, the condition, in which I live and die.

If I live in sin, if I serve self and Satan, if I die accursed — then I must suffer the due desert of my deeds.

But if I savingly believe in Jesus, if I live unto God, if I die under His saving grace — then I shall possess and enjoy glory, honor and eternal life — and these forever!

Let the solemn fact that you are immortal, deeply impress your mind.
Try to realize the overwhelming thought:
"I must live forever!
 I must live forever in unspeakable happiness — or inconceivable misery!
 My eternal state depends on my present state.
 If I live unconverted — then I must die accursed. I am lost, and once lost, lost forever!"

O eternity! Tremendous sound! Incomprehensible idea!

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment — but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:46

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Do not be afraid, for I am with you!

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you!" Isaiah 43:5

The presence of a friend in trouble is cheering and consoling. But it is too often the case, that our friends, like the friends of Job, prove to be miserable comforters. They either do not enter into our troubles — or they cannot help us. The advice they give at times, only aggravates our woe, and adds to our distress.

But, believer, your God says, "I am with you!" What a thought is this! God, the great, the glorious, the omnipotent Jehovah — is with me! He is . . .
   with me to help me,
   with me to comfort me,
   with me to sanctify me,
   with me to save me,
   with me as a kind benignant Father,
   with me in every place, in every trouble, in every conflict,
   with me through all my journey and forevermore,
   with me on the bed of sickness,
   with me  to hold communion with me,
   with me to listen to my sighs,
   with me to number my tears, and
   with me to secure me from all injury!

Appearances may be very dark; the night may seem very long; and your pains, weakness, and fears may be many and great. Still, if the Lord is with you, you may sing, "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty — yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!" Habakkuk 3:17-18

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Live near to God

(Robert Murray M'Cheyne)

Prayer is the link that connects earth with Heaven! Live near to God, and all things will appear little to you in comparison with eternal realities!

When you gaze upon the sun — it makes everything else dark. When you taste honey — it makes everything else tasteless. Likewise, when your soul feeds on Jesus — it takes away the sweetness of all earthly things — pride, pleasure, fleshly lusts, all lose their sweetness.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!" Hebrews 12:2. Keep a continued gaze! So will the world be crucified to you — and you unto the world!

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Dive and dive again!

(Robert Murray M'Cheyne)

"The riches of God's grace!" Ephesians 1:7

"The incomparable riches of His grace!" Ephesians 2:7

"The unsearchable riches of Christ!" Ephesians 3:8

Millions of dazzling pearls and gems lie hidden in the deep recesses of the ocean caves.

In the same way, unfathomable oceans of grace are in Christ for His redeemed people. Dive and dive again — you will never come to the bottom of these depths! One gem from that ocean, is worth all the pebbles from earthly streams!

"I pray that out of His glorious riches, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being!" Ephesians 3:16

"And my God will supply all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 4:19

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The Christian's dress all the week

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

Religion and common life are not two different and distinct things. We may not cut our existence in two parts, and say, "Over this Christ shall rule — but over that He shall have no control."

True religion knows no difference between Sunday and Monday, so far as the ethics of life are concerned. Each day brings its own specific duties; but there are not moral precepts for the one day which are suspended when its sun sets, that for six days a mitigated or less holy law may prevail. Holiness is to be the Christian's dress all the week through, in every hour's conduct. All pleasures and amusements must be tested by the unvarying rule of right. The standard of perfect purity cannot be lowered.

"You ought to live holy and godly lives" 2 Peter 3:11

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With the fragments of the broken hopes and joys

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

It is strange how many of earth's most beautiful lives, have grown up out of what seemed defeat and failure. Indeed, God seems to love to build spiritual loveliness out of the castaway fragments of lives, even out of sin's debris.

In a great cathedral there is said to be a window made by an apprentice out of the bits of stained glass which were thrown away as refuse and worthless, when the other windows were made — and this is the most beautiful window of all.

In the same way, God can build a noble character for you, in spite of all the hurts and injuries done to you, wittingly or unwittingly, by others — with the fragments of the broken hopes and joys, and the lost opportunities that lie strewn about your feet. No others by their worst work of hurt or marring, can prevent your building a beautiful character for yourself.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds!" Psalm 147:3

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Love was the interpreter!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

A young lady purchased a book and read a few pages — but was not interested in it. Some months afterwards she met the author — and a tender friendship sprang up, ripening into love and marriage. Then the book was dull no longer. Every sentence had a charm for her heart. Love was the interpreter!

In the same way, to those who do not know Christ personally, the Bible seems dry and uninteresting. But when they learn to know Him, and to love Him — then all is changed! The deeper their love for Him becomes — the more do the sacred pages glow with beauty and light!

"O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day!" Psalm 119:97

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The sinfulness of sin

(J.C. Ryle)

"In order that by means of the Commandment the unspeakable sinfulness of sin might be plainly shown." Romans 7:13

The Christianity which is from the Holy Spirit, will always have a very deep view of the sinfulness of sin. It will not merely regard sin as a blemish and misfortune, which makes men and women objects of pity and compassion. It will see sin as . . .
  the curse which cursed God's beautiful creation,
  the cursed thing which makes the whole earth groan and struggle in pain,
  the abominable thing which God hates,
  the thing which makes people guilty and lost in his Maker's sight,
  the thing which deserves God's eternal wrath and condemnation.
It will look on sin as the cause of all . . .
 sorrow and unhappiness,
 strife and wars,
 quarrels and contentions, 
 sickness and death!

Above all, it will see in sin the thing which will . . .
  ruin us eternally — unless we can find a ransom,
  lead us captive — unless we can get its chains broken,
  and destroy our happiness, both here and hereafter — unless we fight against it, even unto death.

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When the world is one vast howling wilderness

(Robert Murray M'Cheyne)

"Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?" Song of Songs 8:5

You will never find Jesus so precious, as when the world is one vast howling wilderness. Then He is like a rose blooming in the midst of the desolation, or a rock rising above the storm!

Do not set your hearts on any of the flowers of this world. They shall all fade and die. Prize the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. Jesus never changes! Live nearer to Christ than to any person on this earth; so that when they are taken away, you may have Him to love and lean upon.

"Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16

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Monster & monument!

("Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan" — her diary)

December 3rd, 1838.
I arose this morning soul-heavy and sin-burdened — but was favored at family worship with near access to God, wrestling faith, and a sense of His pardoning love. Wonderful! wonderful! Who is a pardoning God like You? Truly, to the Lord our God belong forgivenesses, though I have sinned against Him!

My naughty, carnal nature is very active today! What a monster of iniquity — and a monument of mercy I am!

Surely I am, as the apostle says, am "example" — that none may despair! "This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — and I am the worst of them! But I received mercy because of this, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate the utmost patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life!" 1 Timothy 1:15-16

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What the person IS, often mars the value of what he DOES!

(J.R. Miller, "The Glory of the Commonplace")

A pastor was commending Christ to a boy, expressing the hope that he would trust in Christ in his youth. "Religion is a continual joy," he said. "Look at your sister, Sarah. How much that dear girl enjoys her religion!"

"Yes," drawled the boy, with frank candor, "She may enjoy her religion — but nobody else in the house enjoys it!"

There are professing Christians of whom it is true that their families do not enjoy their religion. It is not sweet. It is not a comfort to people. It is critical, rasping, censorious, exacting. It was a serious condemnation of this girl's religion, that her family did not enjoy it.

A keen observer has said, "Many a woman spoils her testimony in the church, by her tongue in the kitchen!"

Another has said, "There are people who lead us Heavenward — but stick pins in us all the way!"

In a conversation overheard on a railway train, one reports catching this fragment of talk: "Yes, I suppose she's a Christian — but she certainly isn't pleasant to live with!"

A Christian who isn't pleasant to live with, is shameful. We may do all our duties faithfully, conscientiously, bearing our share of the burdens and cares — and yet, if we are not pleasant to live with, we fail in the most essential quality of love. An unlovely spirit, frowns and chilling looks, sharp impatient words — overbalance the painstaking Christian service that does so much to help in practical ways. What the person IS, often mars the value of what he DOES!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

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Now I hate my sins!

(John Newton)

"They will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn." Zechariah 12:10

A bleeding Savior I have viewed, and now I hate my sins!

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One of a preacher's first duties!

"A man cannot be a faithful minister, until he preaches Christ for Christ's sake — until he gives up striving to attract people to himself, and seeks only to attract them to Christ!" Robert Murray M'Cheyne

"To efface one's self is one of a preacher's first duties!" Alexander Maclaren

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What is it to save a soul from death?

(James Smith's autobiography, "Marvelous Mercy!" 1862)

The following is an excerpt from the diary of James Smith:

May 11, 1857.
My soul burns with a desire to save souls! O how those words have been impressed on my mind lately, "He who turns a sinner from the error of his way — will save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins!" James 5:20

What is it for a soul to die?
It is to remain under the just wrath and endless curse of God!

What is it to save a soul from death? 
It is to snatch an immortal brand from burning in Hell!

To save a soul from death, is . . .
  to rob Satan of his prey,
  to deprive Hell of its fuel, and
  to prevent endless and indescribable torments!

To save a soul from death, is . . .
  to place a jewel in the crown of Jesus,
  to bring a sheep into the great Shepherd's fold,
  and to tune a harp to the glorious harmony of Heaven!

To save a soul from death, is . . .
  the greatest work which one can do,
  the highest honor which one can gain,
  the most glorious triumph which one can win!

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The omnipotent Savior!

(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")

The love of Jesus for His people is armed with divine power, for the execution of its purposes and the fulfillment of its designs. It will perform all its good pleasure — but in the most judicious and prudent way.

Divine love will not be conquered! None can effectually resist its sweet omnipotence when it is exerted; nor are any disposed to find fault, when they feel its omnipotent sweetness.

Christ's omnipotent love for His people . . .
  reaches its objects, when at the greatest distance from God;
  raises them from the pit of destruction;
  plucks them as brands from the fire;
  delivers them from the power of darkness;
  and translates them into His blessed eternal kingdom!

Christ's omnipotent love for His people . . .
restores the backslidden believer from his wanderings;
extricates the erroneous believer from the labyrinths of error;
preserves the tempest-tossed believer from dashing upon the rocks of destruction;
supports the heavenly traveler in his rugged way; and
guides the pilgrims of Zion by its strength, to His holy habitation.

Christ's omnipotent love for His people never varies — and it cannot fail! Every object of the dying love of Jesus is addressed in the language of inspiration, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms!" Weakness may be felt, and the soul may be ready to faint — but divine love says, "I will strengthen you! I will help you! Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness."

We may come up out of the wilderness, leaning upon the omnipotent arm of a Savior's love (Song of Songs 8:5), and exclaim, "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear. God is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore I will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging — for the Lord Almighty is with me, and the omnipotent Savior is my refuge!"

Happy, unspeakably happy — is the soul who is saved by the omnipotent love of Jesus! Nothing shall by any means hurt it, while it . . .
  follows in the footsteps of the lambs,
  feeds among His flock,
  and walks by His holy precepts.
All the attributes of Deity surround it — all the resources of eternity are open to it — and all that God possesses, stands engaged to make it blessed! Trust then in Jesus forever, for in the love of Jesus is everlasting strength!

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The grace of God!

(Don Fortner)

"But by the grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

The grace of God, which provides, reveals, and effectually applies all the blessings of salvation — teaches, motivates, and sweetly compels saved sinners to devote themselves to Christ. Believers are not ruled by law, but by grace.

"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace!" Romans 6:14

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For every look at self

(Robert Murray M'Cheyne)

For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ!

"Let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God!" Hebrews 12:1-2

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Sin has robbed us of six jewels!

(William Dyer, "Christ's Famous Titles")

"Christ died for the ungodly!" Romans 5:6

Certainly the misery of man was very great — that man should need such redemption as this! Oh! what a breach had sin made between God and us — that the Son of God must come from Heaven to earth to suffer all this!

Oh! sirs, mischievous sin has undone us! Sin has robbed everyone of six jewels, every one of which is of more worth than Heaven and earth. Would you know what jewels they are, which sin has robbed us of? I will tell you — and then you will agree that we were in a very miserable case indeed!

1. Sin robs us of the image of God. Was not this a precious jewel? I say, sin robbed us of the image of God — and drew the devil's picture in us!
  Malice is the devil's eye,
  oppression is the devil's hand,
  blasphemy is the devil's tongue,
  hypocrisy is the devil's cloven foot!

2. Sin robs us of our divine sonship — and makes us . . .
  slaves to the devil,
  slaves to sin,
  slaves to the world,
  slaves to ourselves!
This is another jewel we have lost.

3. Sin robs us of our friendship with God — and makes us . . .
  enemies to God,
  enemies to Christ,
  enemies to our own souls,
  enemies to all that is holy!

4. Sin robs us of our communion and fellowship with God — and makes us strangers and aliens to God.

5. Sin robs us of our rights and privileges of Heaven and heavenly things — and makes us children of wrath and heirs of Hell.

6. Sin robs us of our honor and glory — and makes us vile and miserable; as you may see in Isaiah 1:6, "There is no soundness in us — but only wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores!"

Now, sirs, put all this together, and then see whether or not we are miserable, and whether we needed a Savior to come and deliver us from this misery into which our souls were plunged!

Now here is our happiness, Christians: in Christ we have these jewels back again — which we lost in the old Adam!
The glorious image of God,
our divine sonship,
our friendship with God,
our fellowship with God,
our heavenly privileges,
our glory and honor —
we have regained all these by Jesus Christ!