I. THE DIVINE ELECTION. "God hath from the beginning chosen you."

1. There is an "election according to grace" (Romans 11:5). It is not to be confounded with the calling, which is an effect of it. "Whom he predestinated, them he also called" (Romans 8:30). Our salvation is always traced to "his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

2. The date of the election. "From the beginning." It is "from the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4), and therefore does not rest upon the personal claims of individuals.

3. The means of the election. "In sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." The election is to the means as well as the end; it cannot take effect without the means. There is an objective as well as a subjective side in the sphere of the election.

(1) The sanctification of the Spirit. This is the objective side.

(a) It implies a spiritual change of nature. The Spirit applies the salvation, and regeneration is his first work.

(b) Sanctification is the evidence as well as the fruit of election.

(2) "The belief of the truth." This is the subjective side. Man is not passive in his salvation.

(a) As the Spirit is the agent, the truth is the instrument of salvation.

(b) The truth must be believed in order to salvation. As men are chosen to be saints, they are chosen also to be believers.

(3) The necessary connection between the sanctification and the belief. It might appear as if the belief of the truth ought to precede the sanctification of the Spirit. But there cannot be faith without the operation of the Spirit, while, on the other hand, the sanctification is "through the truth." The two are inseparably joined together.

4. The end of the election. "God hath chosen you to salvation."

(1) It is not an election to Church privileges.

(2) Nor to national privileges.

(3) But to salvation itself.

(a) This is salvation from sin and sorrow, death and hell.

(b) It is "the end of our faith" (1 Peter 1:9).

II. THE DIVINE CALLING. "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." The election issues in the call.

1. The Author of the call. God. "There is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy." He has the right to call and the power to call. Nothing but Divine power can save the soul.

2. The means of the call. "Our gospel." The ministry of the Word was the great instrument in the Spirit's hand of their conversion.

3. The end of the call.

(1) It was to obtain the glory of Christ. It was to be obtained, not purchased or wrought out by their personal righteousness.

(2) Believers are to share in the very glory of their Redeemer. - T.C.

The apostle is here contrasting the state of the Thessalonians with that of many who should, at a future period, arise in the Church, whose presumption should know no bounds, and who for their impiety would be given over by God to final impenitence. While those transgressors were doomed to everlasting misery, the Thessalonian converts were ordained to eternal life, having been from the beginning chosen by God to salvation, and having been in time called to the enjoyment of it through the ministry of the gospel which the apostle preached. For them, therefore, he gives thanks, as it was most meet for him to do, since it was the mercy that called for the devoutest praises from all.

I. THEIR ELECTION OF GOD.

1. The end to which they were elected. It was "salvation," even "the salvation that was in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." It was not to the means of salvation merely; for many enjoyed the means of salvation on whose behalf he could not give thanks, yea, on whose account "he had continual heaviness and sorrow of heart;" but it was to salvation itself, with all its inconceivable and lasting blessings.

2. The means by which that end was attained. God has ordained the means as well as the end; and He has ordained the end no otherwise than by and through the appointed means. He had chosen the Thessalonians to salvation "through the sanctification of the Spirit." Further: He had chosen them to salvation through "belief of the truth." By faith we lay hold on the promises of God; by faith we become united to Christ; by faith we bring down from heaven all those supplies of grace which are necessary for us in this state of warfare. Thus faith and holiness are inseparably connected with salvation; and to them men are elected as much as to salvation itself.

II. THEIR CALLING BY HIS MINISTRY.

1. The instrument is His Word. As far as His Providence concurs in the salvation of men, it is only in subserviency to His Word. This is the rod of His might by which all the wonders of His grace are wrought. Miracles gave credibility to the testimony which Christ and His apostles bore; but it was the testimony itself, as applied by "the Holy Spirit to the soul, that wrought effectually upon the hearts of men. And in all ages it is the same Word, either read or preached, that is effectual to conversion. So the apostle reminds his converts at Thessalonica that, though they were from eternity chosen of God to salvation, they were called to the possession of it through the ministry of the gospel.

2. The same instrument, if received rightly, will operate effectually to the same end. It had turned the Thessalonians "from idols to serve the living God;" and thus it will assuredly work on all who cordially embrace it. It "is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword": it "is mighty to the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan": it "prospers in the thing whereunto God has sent it." When the time has come for the return home of His wandering sheep, He apprehends them by His Word, and brings them with His gracious energy to His fold, making them "willing in the day of His power." This is His invariable process — "Whom He did predestinate, them He also called," etc. Conclusion:

1. Those who have never yet obeyed the Gospel call must not say, "I am not of God's elect, and therefore I cannot help myself." They have been "called to a belief of the truth," such as should lead them to rely entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, and to the sanctification of the Spirit, even such a sanctification as should progressively transform them into the Divine image of righteousness and true holiness. They should therefore receive freely at His hands all the blessings offered thus to them. If, however, they will obey the Divine call, their blood will be on their own head.

2. Those who have obeyed the call should ever remember that God has chosen and ordained them to bring forth fruit to His honour and glory. He loved them, not from any good He saw or foresaw in them, but simply because He would love them. Hence they have every reason to give Him thanks; nay, their every breath should be an effusion of praise.

(C. Simeon, M. A.)

I. WHAT IS IT TO BE A CHRISTIAN? There are three characteristics in the text.

1. Belief of the truth.(1) There are various kinds of truth. All truth is not "the truth." There is natural and religious truth. Christian truth is distinguished from all other by being "the truth as it is in Jesus" — truth touching God, the soul, eternity.(2) So there are various kinds of belief. We believe things we see, results of reasoning, conclusions of argument, laws, things above reason, God and our own souls. The faith of our text, however, is(a) a faith of the heart — the verification of those truths which can be understood by the heart of man alone. This distinguishes it from mere intellectual effort.(b) A supernatural faith. Observe the company in which it is put — side by side with. the power of the Spirit of God. And everywhere in Scripture it is so. It is by the supernatural operation of the Holy Ghost, and is supernatural in its origin, operations, and results.

2. Sanctification of the Spirit. There is a question whether this refers immediately to the objective work of the Holy Ghost, or the subjective work in man's own spirit. But it is immaterial; it amounts to the same in either case. Sanctification in its broadest, its Biblical as distinguished from its theological sense, is a triple work.

(1)It is the purgation of the soul of him who believeth by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ.

(2)It is the recreation of the moral nature by the Holy Spirit.

(3)It is the dedication of the cleansed and renovated person to God.

3. Hope of everlasting life. Three things are connected with and result from sin: Disaster — "The soul that sinneth it shall die." Privation — of blessedness. Suffering — an accusing conscience and a dark outlook. Over against these in glorious and everlasting antithesis are

(1)Eternal life.

(2)Positive blessing.

(3)Present and eternal joy and glory.This is our hope. It is a good hope, a hope assured to us by warrant beyond dispute.

II. WHAT IS THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN?

1. Goodness (ver. 17). To be good.(1) Negatively, to put away that which is evil. This is a part of our duty of which we cannot afford to think lightly. Christ suffered for us that He might deliver us from the present evil world. Those who are born of God do not commit sin.(2) But there is no such thing as a merely negative goodness. It is always also positive and practical, and finds expression in speech and action. It is a recognition of God in the family and daily life in reverence and worship, in the government of self and in charity towards man.(3) This goodness must be as universal as it is practical. "Every good word and work." There is a goodness which is eclectic; and it is right that we should devote attention especially to forms of goodness for which we are most fitted, but not to the neglect of those which are common to all: e.g., Religious worship and carelessness about personal purity are often found together; so are personal devoutness and neglect of missionary effort and vice versa. Good words of every kind.(4) This goodness is to be robust and energetic, not infantile and feeble. We love the heathen, but how much do we give them. We love our brother, but how often does a fault reduce that love to microscopic proportions.

2. Steadfastness. This goodness is to be practised consistently, not by fits and starts; through life, and not for an hour; not only when easy, but in the face of hardship and persecution.

III. WHAT ARE THE PRIVILEGES OF A CHRISTIAN? The characteristics and duties just mentioned. The three points are the same under different aspects. But specifically.

1. Consolation. This is needed at all times for the Church of God is now in its suffering state.(1) Christian life begins in self-sacrifice. The Christian passes from death into life through a strait gate, which excludes many a habit, etc., long cherished.(2) Christian life continues by sacrifice; the bearing of the daily cross, the conflict with sin, the evangelistic effort which is the very life of the Church, all involve loss and pain which need consolation. This consolation is abundant and abiding, consisting as it does of the love and presence of "Our Lord Jesus Christ," etc. (ver. 16).

2. Sanctity.

3. Good hope through grace.

4. Glory. Conclusion: How great the prospects, responsibility, dignity of a Christian.

(J. D. Geden, D. D.)

I. CONSISTS in "obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." This phrase is evidently an expansion and more exact specification of the term salvation in ver. 13. The believer is to share the glory which Christ possesses (John 17.). Jesus has already given His glory of self-sacrificing love and union with the Father to His disciples in a measure, but hereafter it is to be given in fulness. What a great salvation!

II. IS OBTAINED —

1. As a result of God's choice and call. Not that this lessens human responsibility, or should relax human watchfulness and diligence (ver. 15).

2. As a result of the Spirit's sanctification.

3. Through personal apprehension of the truth.

III. IS A MATTER OF THANKFULNESS.

(Clerical World.)

I. True Christians are OBJECTS OF A SPECIAL CHOICE.

1. The Author: God. The Scriptures unanimously declare that true Christians are chosen of God. Who dare question the right of the Most High to choose them. While He injures none, for this is impossible, surely He may, if He please, confer special benefits on some (Romans 9:20, 21).

2. The date — "from the beginning" (1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4).

3. The end — "to salvation." This determines its true nature and supreme excellency. The Israelites were chosen, but many fell, and we are admonished to take heed lest we "fall after the same example of unbelief." The twelve were chosen to apostleship, but Judas apostatised. This salvation is not only deliverance from sin in this life, but eternal glory in the world to come.

II. True Christians are PERSONS OF A PECULIAR CHARACTER. God's chosen people are —

1. Believers of the truth.(1) God's Word is emphatically "the truth."(2) Believing is giving hearty credit to the Bible as the record of God in such a way as to feel affected and influenced by it according to the nature of the things which it regards. Without this belief of the truth we have no evidence of our election, and only "deceive our own selves."

2. Partakers of the Spirit. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His." The Spirit in the heart is essential to the being of a Christian, for without Him there is no regeneration. Then His influence is necessary for every Christian enterprise. What reason there is for the admonitions "Quench not the Spirit," "Grieve not the Spirit." We must judge whether we are partakers of the Spirit by His fruit (Galatians 5:22-24).

3. The subjects of sanctification. The Spirit given to God's people produces and gradually promotes it. There is no way of attaining holiness but by the Spirit of Holiness. Faith bears a close connection with this state. Faith guards the Christian from sin and preserves him in the path of duty. Sanctification, therefore, is the best evidence of faith, and the best mark of election. We have proof that we are "of God" only as we are like God.

III. True Christians FURNISH CAUSE OF LIVELY THANKSGIVING. Why? True Christians are —

1. A proof of the power of the gospel.

2. A credit to Christianity (Philippians 1:27).

3. Useful to others.

(T. Kidd.)

Religion has two factors, the Divine and the human. All the doctrines whose object and result are the salvation of lost souls, have an inseparable connection. They necessitate and include each other. In the text, sanctification of the Spirit is conjoined with belief of the truth.

I. ELECTION IS PRESUPPOSED.

1. Its author is God.

2. It is from the beginning.

3. It is personal.

4. It is comforting. Those that are chosen are beloved of the Lord.

II. ITS DESIGN.

1. To produce holiness of thought, word and deed.

2. To secure salvation. Holiness is salvation.

3. To obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

III. ITS AGENCY.

1. It proceeds from the love and grace of God.

2. It is rendered possible by the death of Christ.

3. It is carried into effect through the agency and influence of the Holy Spirit.

IV. ITS INSTRUMENT. This is the truth.

1. Men are called by the truth.

2. Men are sanctified through the truth (John 17:17).

V. ITS EVIDENCE.

1. Illumination by the Spirit in order to understand things that are spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:14).

2. Sanctification of the Spirit.

3. Belief of the truth. Apart from these, no person has, or can have, any proof that he is chosen of God to eternal life.

VI. CONCLUSION.

1. Men are lost because they have pleasure in unrighteousness, and believe not the truth.

2. No sanctification takes place in any soul apart from the belief of the truth.

3. The end of faith is the salvation of the soul.

4. Sanctification and faith have their roots in election.

5. Does any one seek for evidence of his election, let him believe the gospel and live a holy life.

(L. O. Thompson.)

I. HOW IT IS HERE SET FORTH.

1. By the rise of it, which is the mere love of God, for Paul calls these "brethren, beloved of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 7:7, 8). There is no antecedent worthiness in those whom God chooses (2 Timothy 1:9).

2. By the act itself "hath chosen you" making a distinction between them and others. Those whom God chooses He separates from the world (1 John 5:19). Their names are kept in the records of heaven (Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3), whereas others are not (Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:15).

3. By the antiquity of it "from the beginning" (Ephesians 1:4; Matthew 25:34). Love in God is of old standing, even from eternity, and what is from everlasting is to everlasting (Psalm 103:17).

4. By the means of its accomplishment two are mentioned, one on God's part and one on ours — Sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. Where, note —(1) That God's decree is both of ends and means, for all His purposes are accomplished by fit means. He who has chosen us to salvation has chosen us to be holy, and to believe the truth. And without the means the end cannot be attained; for without faith and holiness no man shall see God or escape condemnation (John 3:36; Hebrews 12:14). What God has joined together let no man separate. If we separate these things God does not change his counsel, but we subvert His order to our own destruction.(2) That these are not causes but fruits of election (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 2:47; Acts 13:48).(3) That being the necessary fruits they are also evidences of our election. All that are sanctified by the Spirit and believe the truth belong to the election of God.(a) Sanctification is not only an external dedication to God, but an inward and real change (1 Corinthians 6:11).(b) Faith is not a cold assent to an opinion as to the Christian religion, but such a lively trust as brings us under its power (vers. 10, 12). The Thessalonians received the truth so as to obey it and suffer for it.(4) The connection between the two —(a) There is a necessary connection between them as of cause and effect, for none are powerfully drawn to believe but such as are sanctified. To incline and bring us to God is a work wholly reserved to the Spirit.(b) There is the connection of concomitancy between the gospel and the Spirit. The Spirit only goes along with the gospel; and so both external and internal grace are of God (John 17:17).(c) There is a subordination of faith to this work of the Spirit by the truth; for the greatest things work not till they are considered and believed (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

II. THIS IS THE GREAT MATTER OF OUR THANKSGIVING TO GOD. Consider —

1. That thanksgiving to God is a great and necessary duty, expressly enjoined by Him, and expected from us (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

2. That we are to give thanks chiefly for spiritual and eternal mercies (Ephesians 1:3).

3. That the great expression of God's mercy is in election.(1) There we see all our blessings in their rise, which is the love and grace of God. Waters are sweetest and freshest in their fountain (John 3:16).(2) It shows us God's distinguishing grace, and who it was that made us differ from others (John 14:22; 1 Corinthians 1:26; Matthew 11:25, 26).(3) Then we may see that grace takes off self-boasting (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Ephesians 1:6).

(T. Manton, D. D.)

I. THE PERSONS DESCRIBED AND THE DUTY ENJOINED.

1. Thanksgiving for the salvation of others (Romans 6:17).

2. Thanksgiving is the constant duty of all Christians (Ephesians 5:20).

3. The cause is the revelation of God's love (Jeremiah 31:3).

II. THE REASONS ASSIGNED FOR THIS GRATITUDE.

1. Election.

(1)God's people are a chosen people (Romans 8:29).

(2)Chosen from the beginning, or eternity (Titus 1:2).

(3)Without any regard to previous good works (Titus 3:5).

(4)Chosen in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:4).

(5)To salvation here, and glory hereafter (Ephesians 2:10).

2. Sanctification.

(1)The Spirit quickens the soul (Ephesians 2:1, 5).

(2)The Spirit enlightens the mind (Ephesians 1:18).

(3)The Spirit leads the soul to glory (John 14:16, 17).

3. Faith.

(1)Negative faith, or ceasing to trust in self (2 Corinthians 1:9).

(2)Faith in God's blessed Word (Psalm 119:41, 42).

(3)Faith in Christ and His work (Acts 16:31).

III. THE METHOD WHEREBY GOD DEVELOPS HIS PURPOSE OF LOVE TO HIS CHURCH, AND THE SUCCESS ATTENDING THE SAME.

1. They were called to believe these doctrines (Ephesians 4:4-6).

2. He always calls into Christian fellowship (1 Corinthians 1:9).

3. He calls His people into liberty (Galatians 5:13).

4. The instrumentality employed. Our gospel (1 Corinthians 1:23, 24).

5. The blessing obtained is eternal glory, called in the text, "the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ;" which denotes that the chosen, sanctified, and believing, and called people of God, shall never be separated from Him, or perish (Colossians 2:4).

(T. B. Baker.)

A godly English minister of two hundred years ago, the Rev. Thomas Doolittle, used to "catechise" his congregation, more especially the young people, every Lord's Day. An incident that melted his hearers on one occasion is thus related. The question was on "effectual calling," and to bring it more closely home to them he suggested that they should recite the answer, changing the word us to me, and our to my. No one had the courage to begin, till a young man well known as one who had led a bad life arose, and with every sign of contrition repeated, amid the tears of the congregation: "Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby convincing me of my sin and misery, enlightening my mind in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing my will, He did persuade and enable me to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to me in the gospel." This young man had been convicted by being catechised — think of such a thing happening in these days of looser religious discipline! band from being a wicked and ignorant youth he had become an intelligent Christian.

Manton says, "A malefactor that hath a leprosy on him needs not only a pardon, but a medicine; and in a broken leg, not only ease of the pain is desirable, but that the bone be set right. So we need both justification and sanctification." Justification saves the malefactor, and sanctification cures him of his spiritual disease: are they not equally desirable? Who would wish to miss the one or the other if in need of them? Pardon removes the pain of our broken bones, but spiritual renewal reduces the fracture. Let us not be content with half a gospel, but obtain a whole Christ for our broken hearts. Renewal of life is every way as desirable as forgiveness of sin. As well be full of guilt as full of guile. if a child has eaten unhealthy food it is well to cure the disease which is occasioned by it, but it is equally desirable to break him of the habit Which led him to such foul feeding.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

When Dr. Livingstone asked one of the Bechuanas, What is holiness? the reply was, "When copious showers have descended during the night, and all the earth and leaves and cattle are washed clean, and the sun rising shows a drop of dew on every blade of grass, and the air breathes fresh, that is holiness."

Paul, ThessaloniansThessalonicaAlways, Beginning, Belief, Bound, Brothers, Chose, Loved, Salvation, Sanctification, Sanctifying, Saved, Spirit, Thank, Thanks, Truth1. Paul urges them to continue stedfast in the truth received;
3. shows that there shall be a departure from the faith,
9. and a discovery of Antichrist, before the day of the Lord comes;
15. repeats his exhortation to stand firm, and prays for them.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

     1115   God, purpose of
     2048   Christ, love of
     2324   Christ, as Saviour
     3035   Holy Spirit, presence of
     3212   Holy Spirit, and mission
     3218   Holy Spirit, and praise
     3233   Holy Spirit, and sanctification
     3257   Holy Spirit, gift of
     4018   life, spiritual
     4442   firstfruits
     4909   beginning
     5661   brothers
     6604   acceptance, human
     6634   deliverance
     6670   grace, and Holy Spirit
     6745   sanctification, nature and basis
     6746   sanctification, means and results
     7028   church, life of
     7120   Christians
     7142   people of God, NT
     8020   faith
     8244   ethics, and grace
     8272   holiness, growth in

2 Thessalonians 2:11-13

     1445   revelation, responses

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

     1513   Trinity, mission of
     5159   hearing
     7024   church, nature of
     8425   evangelism, nature of

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

     6639   election, to salvation

Everlasting Consolation and Good Hope
'Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. 17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.'--2 THESS. ii. 16, 17. This is the second of the four brief prayers which, as I pointed out in my last sermon, break the current of Paul's teaching in this letter, and witness to the depth of his affection to his Thessalonian converts. We do not know the special circumstances …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Election
Now, first, I shall speak a little concerning the truthfulness of this doctrine: "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." Secondly, I shall try to prove that this election is absolute: "He hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation," not for sanctification, but "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Thirdly, this election is eternal, because the text says, "God hath from the beginning chosen you." Fourthly, it is personal: "He hath chosen you." Then we …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Grace and Holiness.
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."--1 THESS. iii. 11-13. There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle. …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Sixteenth Day. Holiness and Truth.
Make them holy in the Truth: Thy word is Truth.'--John xvii. 17. 'God chose you unto salvation in sanctification and belief of the Truth.'--2 Thess. ii. 12. The chief means of sanctification that God uses is His word. And yet how much there is of reading and studying, of teaching and preaching the word, that has almost no effect in making men holy. It is not the word that sanctifies; it is God Himself who alone can sanctify. Nor is it simply through the word that God does it, but through …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Colossians iii. 17
Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. This, like the other general rules of the gospel, is familiar enough to us all in its own words; but we are very apt to forbear making the application of it. In fact, he who were to apply it perfectly would be a perfect Christian: for a life of which every word and deed were said and done in the name of the Lord Jesus, would be a life indeed worthy of the children of God, and such …
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Approbation and Blessing.
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."--2 THESS. i. ii, 12. Two words sum up the Christian life--Grace and Glory; and both are associated with the two Comings of the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace particularly with the first Coming, …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

The Edict of Banishment, 1729-1736.
But Zinzendorf was not long allowed to tread the primrose path of peace. As the news of his proceedings spread in Germany, many orthodox Lutherans began to regard him as a nuisance, a heretic, and a disturber of the peace; and one critic made the elegant remark: "When Count Zinzendorf flies up into the air, anyone who pulls him down by the legs will do him a great service." He was accused of many crimes, and had many charges to answer. He was accused of founding a new sect, a society for laziness; …
J. E. Hutton—History of the Moravian Church

Fifteenth Day. The Holy Spirit.
But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believed on Him were to receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet: because Jesus was not yet glorified.'--John vii. 39. 'The Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things.'--John xiv. 26. 'God chose you to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.'--2 Thess. ii. 13. (See 1 Pet. i. 2.) It has sometimes been said, that while the Holiness of God stands out more prominently …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Calling of the Regenerate:
"Whom He did predestinate, them He also called."--Rom. viii. 30. In order to hear, the sinner, deaf by nature, must receive hearing ears. "He that hath ears let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Rev. ii. 7, 11, 17, 29; iii. 6, 13, 22). But by nature the sinner does not belong to these favored ones. This is a daily experience. Of two clerks in the same office, one obeys the call and the other rejects it; not because he despises it, but because he does not hear God's call in it. Hence …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

First Day. God's Call to Holiness.
Like as He which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.'--1 Pet. i. 15, 16. The call of God is the manifestation in time of the purpose of eternity: 'Whom He predestinated, them He also called.' Believers are 'the called according to His purpose.' In His call He reveals to us what His thoughts and His will concerning us are, and what the life to which He invites us. In His call He makes clear to …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Third Wall.
The third wall falls of itself, as soon as the first two have fallen; for if the Pope acts contrary to the Scriptures, we are bound to stand by the Scriptures, to punish and to constrain him, according to Christ's commandment; "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
The following considerations, taken together, seem to me to establish the truth of the doctrine in question beyond reasonable doubt. 1. God has from eternity resolved upon the salvation of all the elect. This we have seen. No one of this number will ever be lost. These are given to Christ from eternity, as a seed to serve him. The conversion, perseverance, and final salvation of the elect, we have seen to be secured. Their conversion, perseverance, and salvation, are secured by means of the grace …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Conflict and Comfort.
"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."--COL. ii. 1, 2. Although he was in prison the Apostle was constantly at work for his Master, and not least of all at the work of prayer. If ever the words …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in General.
Having shown how a poor soul, lying under the burden of sin and wrath, is to make use of Jesus Christ for righteousness and justification, and so to make use of him, go out to him, and apply him, as "he is made of God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30, and that but briefly. This whole great business being more fully and satisfactorily handled, in that forementioned great, though small treatise, viz. "The Christian's Great Interest," we shall now come and show, how a believer or a justified soul …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Holy Spirit Bringing Forth in the Believer Christlike Graces of Character.
There is a singular charm, a charm that one can scarcely explain, in the words of Paul in Gal. v. 22, 23, R. V., "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance." What a catalogue we have here of lovely moral characteristics. Paul tells us that they are the fruit of the Spirit, that is, if the Holy Spirit is given control of our lives, this is the fruit that He will bear. All real beauty of character, all real Christlikeness in us, …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

Discerning Prayer.
INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles …
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

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