The Iron Pen #58

God & Country

"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book" - Abraham Lincoln

Three Harbor Lights & The Will of God

A certain harbor in the British Isles is hard to access. It is necessary for the captain of a vessel, wishing to enter port, to get three of the harbor lights in a line before him, and with this done he can safely come in. Likewise, when the Bible, our conscience, and the circumstances in which we are placed are all in accord, we may be sure that we are in the will of God, and may go forward confidently. - F. B. Meyer

The Savior’s Work & The Believers’ Witness

The plan of God for a world’s redemption embraces both the work of the atoning Savior and the witness of the redeemed Church of believers. The travail of the Redeemer’s soul can never be satisfied until those who have heard and believed go and proclaim the glad tidings. - A. T. Pierson

The Best Advantages Are Worthless If You Don’t Have Christ!

His father was a Bible believing preacher, the second President of Princeton. His grandfather, on his mother’s side, was the famous biblical theologian and preacher Dr. Jonathan Edwards. Though his parents died when he was young, his uncle, Reverend Timothy Edwards brought him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

He entered Princeton when he was thirteen and graduated second in his class at age sixteen. One historian wrote, He "was thought to be one of the most brilliant students graduated from Princeton in the eighteenth century." After graduation he began to study theology in preparation for the ministry but soon dropped out choosing rather to study law.

He was appointed to the staff of General George Washington. Soon he was promoted to Major and then to Lieutenant-Colonel. He was widely known and respected for his valor, sound judgment and devotion to the cause of the Colonies. His notoriety led him into political office. He served as New York’s Attorney General, then U.S. Senator. His bid for president in 1800 ended up in a tie with Thomas Jefferson. Both received 73 electoral votes. The House of Representatives broke the tie, and this man became Vice-President. But, being second fiddle did not sit well with this man and deep resentment set in. In 1804 the bitterness and resentment boiled over when he fatally shot Alexander Hamilton in a duel. As a result, darkness settled on his life. On September 14, 1836 he died as a man without a country, without friends, a moral derelict, floating, drifting aimlessly.

Who was this man and why did he come to such a tragic end when he had all the best advantages of life? The answer to these questions is this. While Aaron Burr was in college, an extensive revival prevailed among the students. Burr was one of four who refused to be influenced for Christ. He shook off all religious impressions at the turning point of his career, choosing the downward path of unbelief, and infamy.

I must tell you this. In the final analysis it does not matter what temporal advantages you have in life. If you do not have Christ, you have nothing! The Bible says, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26 Yet, if you do have Christ it does not matter what advantages you are lacking. The Apostle Paul wrote, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:8-9

 A Brief Character Sketch of Daniel

• Man of Purposes – Chapter 1
• Man of Perception – Chapter 2
• Man of Prayer – Chapter 6
• Man of Perusal – Chapter 9

Point To Ponder

"Let us never forget that what we are is more important than what we do." - Husdon Taylor