Yes, To You Who Believe, HE HIMSELF Is Precious!

True growth in grace! 
(Archibald Brown, "He is Precious!")

"To you therefore who believe, 
HE is precious!" 1 Peter 2:7

The word "precious" has a stronger 
meaning than appears on its surface; 
it is really "To you who believe, HE is
 preciousness," or all-precious.

 CHRIST is . . .
  a sun which ever shines;
  a garden which is always full 

   of flowers and fruits;
  a hive ever full of honey;
  a fountain which is always full;
  a brook which never dries;
  a rose that always blooms;
  an ocean of sweetness without 

    a drop of gall.

To the child of GOD, a personal 

living CHRIST is most dear.

He is not satisfied with a mere love for . . .
  CHRIST'S doctrines,
  CHRIST'S promises,
  or CHRIST'S gifts.

His affections entwine themselves 

round about CHRIST'S person. 

JESUS is to him his Brother, friend, 

Companion, the One with whom 

he walks and talks.

True growth in grace consists 

of a personal SAVIOR growing 

increasingly precious.

How sad it is that so many fall short 

of this experience. Their religion 

is entered more in a code of rules 

and collections of doctrines--

than in the person 

of the dear REDEEMER.

Yes, to you who believe, 

HE HIMSELF is precious!

Not only HIS house--

for it is quite possible to like 

a person's house exceedingly, 

and yet have no particular love 

for the owner of that house.

Not only HIS book--

for there are many books 

you may enjoy reading, and yet 

have neither knowledge of, nor 

affection for, the author.

Not only HIS gifts--

for how many there are who 

value a man's gifts, while they 

despise him in their heart.

But HE HIMSELF, apart from 

all that HE gives, will be your 

heart's dearest love.

"My GOD, I love YOU; not because
 I hope for Heaven thereby.
Nor because those who love YOU not,

 Must burn eternally.

Not with the hope of gaining anything,
 Nor seeking a reward;
But as YOURSELF have loved me,
 O ever-loving LORD."

"Whom have I in Heaven but YOU? 
I desire YOU more than anything 
on earth!" Psalm 73:25

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GraceGems just published Archibald Brown's superb sermon, 
"He is Precious!"