_Having these promises … let us cleanse ourselves … perfecting holiness: _ HAVING THE PROMISES OF GOD Under what notion have we the promises of God? 1. We have them as manifest tokens of God’s favour towards us. 2. We have them as fruits of Christ’s purchase. 3. They are plain and ample declara... [ Continue Reading ]
_Receive us; we have wronged no man._ THE APOSTLE’S REQUEST I. The ground on which he urged it--viz., that he deserved it. 1. It was a simple matter of justice. “We have wronged no man,” etc. The apostle meets the charges against him by an assertion of his innocence, which appealed to their own w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, God that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only._ COMFORT FOR THE CAREWORN 1. This barometrical subjection to the depressions and upliftings in life is the token of a noble nature and a big human heart. A cold, selfish ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_For though I made you sorry with a letter I do not repent, though I did repent._ THE SPIRIT OF APOSTOLICAL REBUKE It was marked by-- I. Unflinching severity. St. Paul rejoiced in the pain he had inflicted, because the pain was transitory, while the good was permanent; because the suffering was in... [ Continue Reading ]
_For … ye sorrowed after a godly sort._ THE INTERNAL WORKINGS OF GENUINE REPENTANCE The Bible says a deal about repentance. 1. Its nature (Job 42:5; Psalms 51:1.; Ezekiel 36:35; Matthew 26:24; Luk 15:35; Luke 18:13; 2 Corinthians 7:9). 2. Its necessity (Ezekiel 14:6; M [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong._ CHURCH DISCIPLINE I. Church discipline should be exercised for the good of the whole Church (2 Corinthians 7:12). The particular individual referred to here was the incestuous person (1 Corinthians 5:1). The a... [ Continue Reading ]