This Life Coming From GOD Always Lead Us To GOD.

This new spiritual life

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

By nature we are all dead 

in trespasses and sins. There is . . .

  no breath of prayer,
  no sight of GOD,
  no listening to the voice of mercy,
  no power of faith;
but we are alienated from 

the life of GOD, through 

the ignorance that is in us. 

In this state we live--

until GOD who is rich in mercy 

with the great love with which 

HE loved us, quickens us 

together with CHRIST, and 

saves us by HIS grace. 

The HOLY SPIRIT imparts 

a new, a divine life. 

In consequence of this, we . . .
  discover our lost state,
  feel our dangerous position,
  fear the wrath of GOD,
  desire true holiness, and
  flee to JESUS for full salvation.

This life coming from GOD--

always leads us to GOD.
Being holy--

it produces earnest 

longings for holiness.
Being spiritual--

it can only be satisfied 

with spiritual blessings.

JESUS becomes the food, 

the repose, the delight of the soul. 

To JESUS the spiritual life 

always tends; on HIM it feeds; 

and of HIM alone it boasts.

This new spiritual life is imparted 

in regeneration, and reveals 

itself  in conversion to GOD. 

Its manifestations are . . .
  repentance for sin,
  faith in JESUS,
  love to GOD, and
  earnest longings for 

holiness of heart and life.

It is this spiritual life which 

distinguishes the real believer 

from the mere professor of 

religion. It makes him a new 

man, and leads him to prove 

the truth of the Apostles words, 

"If any man is in CHRIST, he is 
a new creature, old things are 
passed away; behold all things 
are become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Those who liked yesterday's J.C. Ryle article, "The Great Gathering"
will much appreciate his balancing article, "The Great Separation".