Truth for Life - December 16, 2017
December 16
The Call of Christian Faith
Come to me. - Matthew 11:28
The call of the Christian faith is the gentle word, "Come." The Jewish law spoke harshly: "Go, pay attention to your steps as to the path in which you will walk. Break the commandments, and you will perish; keep them, and you will live." The law was a dispensation of terror that drove men before it as with a scourge; the Gospel draws with cords of love. Jesus is the Good Shepherd going before His sheep, bidding them follow Him, and leading them forward with the sweet word, "Come." The law repels; the Gospel attracts. The law shows the distance that exists between God and man; the Gospel bridges that awful chasm and brings the sinner across it.
From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are welcomed into heaven, the language of Christ to you will be, "Come to me." As a mother extends her hand to her tiny child and woos it to walk by saying, "Come," even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way and clear your path, and you will hear His life-giving voice calling you to follow Him all through your life; in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He will usher you into the heavenly world will be, "Come, you who are blessed of my Father."1
This is not only Christ's call to you, but if you are a believer, this is your call to Christ-"Come! Come!" You will be longing for His return; you will be saying, "Come quickly; even so come, Lord Jesus." You will desire nearer and closer fellowship with Him. As His voice to you is "Come," your response to Him will be, "Come, Lord, and stay with me. Come and occupy the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to Your service."
Family Bible reading plan
verse 1 2 Chronicles 18
verse 2 Revelation 7
Voices From The Past – Puritan Devotional Readings
Edited By Richard Rushing
Over the past fifty years there has been a great resurgence of interest in the writings of the Puritans. The reading of their works has brought great benefit to the people of God in many lands. Christians from many different backgrounds and cultures owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly reward. The Puritans really knew how to teach and apply God’s Word in the Spirit’s power!
Richard Rushing has compiled this book of daily devotional readings from Puritan authors. At every turn these truths are eloquently taught, faithfully applied, and kindly offered as the subject of sweet spiritual meditation.
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From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg copyright © 2003. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.
