Revelation 3:11-13

Christians habitually weep and pray over beautiful truth, only to draw back from that same truth when it comes to the difficult job of putting it into practice! Actually, the average church simply does not dare to check its practices against biblical precepts. It tolerates things that are diametrically opposed to the will of God, and if the matter is pointed out to its leaders, they will defend its unscriptural practices with a casuistry equal to the verbal dodgings of the Roman moralists....

Hold fast the gift which divine grace hath already bestowed on thee; the loss of it were the loss of thy crown.

This exhortation is made necessary by such facts as these: - There is a tendency in the mind to under-estimate the gifts already in possession, and to forget how absolute is the connection between present grace and eventual glory; and there is also a tendency to depreciate the power and subtlety of the adversaries.

Conceive of a crown that guarantees to him who...

Hold fast what thou hast, because it is only for a little while that thou must hold it under the pressure of adverse circumstances; and hold it fast because everlasting victory and dominion and blessedness shall reward thy fidelity. So might a captain speak to a little band assaulted by a mighty host, when in the distance a relieving force is seen approaching; a nation's destiny depends upon their holding their own.

It is only for a little while, because the day of our salvation is...

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, “Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.” His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that...

My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.The Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever. § The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.The just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. § If they had been of us, they would have continued...

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep. § The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. § Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is...

If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well. § “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” … “I am willing; be cleansed.” § Faith as a mustard seed.Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. § Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.First the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. § Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord....