Things God will do

Reward each man: 

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in duty, and shall follow him to glory.  He is one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps, whithersoever he goes.  "Let him deny himself."  If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practiced, to redeem us, and to teach us.  "Let him take up his cross."  The cross is here put for every trouble that befalls us.

We are apt to think we could bear another's cross better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it.  We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are in our way.  If any man will have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple.

If all worldly things are worthless when compared with the life of the body, how forcible the same argument with respect to the soul and its state of never-ending happiness or misery!  Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain, or the most worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and negligence.  Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. 

Yet one soul is worth more than all the world.  This is Christ's judgment upon the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it.  The dying transgressor cannot purchase one hour's respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul.  Let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Savior of them.

The one sure foundation

It has been said that if you focus only on the Word you will “dry up.” If you focus only on the Spirit you will “blow up.” And if you focus only on faith you will “give up.” But when you embrace all three of these important areas—the Bible, the Spirit and faith—you will “grow up.”