Charles H Spurgeon

I believe that one reason why the Church of God at the present moment
has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much
influence over the Church.

Building Together

Again we can see that Salvation (or Justification) is a work of the Triune Godhead, Christ is the cornerstone, on whom we must trust (or rest upon) for Atonement. According to the goals established by the Trinity prior to Creation, God chose to save a People for Himself (Election). While the Father is attainable only through the Son, yet the Father works in bringing believers together into a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit (Regeneration).

This is God's work in Salvation: the Son is the Atonement of Sin, the Spirit re-creates and indwells believers, the Father brings together the Stones of His dwelling place (those believers) according to His eternal plan. Our Salvation is indeed a glorious thing, being the entirety of His work in Reality throughout Time, beginning with His plan from the Beginning (or "before the beginning" as it preceded time itself). God is not trying to do anything else besides Salvation - like establish the perfect form of government on Earth or create a carnal Atheist Utopia or get people to reject their fleshly bodies and meditate themselves to a higher plane of existence.

As an outflow of the Redemption accomplished on Calvary, God, in the process of Sanctification, knits us together with other believers (all those of the Church Universal) that we might become His Sanctuary in which He can rightly and eternally dwell. This is all of Grace, for in ourselves we are not deserving of this great honor, yet because of His abundant mercy and love, we indeed are growing into His holy temple as we respond to the Spirit's work to make us holy. 
 

Thomas Watson - Dearly Beloved

Matt 7:15 
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 

Take heed whom you listen to! Let me tell you, the Devil has his ministers - as well as Christ! There are some, who by the subtlety of their wit, have learned the art of mixing error with truth, and give poison in a golden cup!


Take heed WHO you hear, and how you hear. Be like those noble Bereans, who searched the Scriptures daily, to see whether the things they were taught, were true or not. Acts 17:11


Your ears must not be like sponges which suck in puddle-water, as well as wine. But your ears must be like a winnowing fork, which sorts out the chaff - but retains the pure wheat. You must be like those in the parable, who gathered the good fish - but cast the bad away. 


The Saints are called virgins for their wisdom - they will not let everyone defile their souls with error! They have both a judicious ear, and a critical palate - which can distinguish between truth and error; and discern the difference between God's pure food, and the Devil's cooking!
 

James Smith (Puritan)

And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. -  Psalms 55:6


The Trials of a believer are often severe. Many a storm has he to endure, many a river to ford, and many a fire to pass through - on his way home to the Promised Land. Little did the Christian think, when he first stepped into the gospel - that there were such tough roads, dark nights and terrible storms before him; but more or less, every traveler to Mount Zion must experience them. It is generally found to be a rough road, which leads to the Celestial City. Many a Christian has found his courage fail him, and his heart misgive him, on this way home.

Never is Christ so precious - as in times of particular trial. Never is the Bible so valued - as in the day of trouble and distress. The wilderness with its barren burning sands, its storms and tempests, its dangers and its difficulties - endears the believer to his Promised Land.  

Rest! O how sweet is the thought of rest - to the weary, way-worn, exhausted traveler! Rest! O how sweet is the thought of rest -to the afflicted, tried, and tempted Christian! He most generally thinks of Heaven as a place of rest.

We have the foretastes of it occasionally now, which makes us at time long for its fullness and perfection. Like the grapes of Eshcol, which when tasted, stimulates us to hasten across the wilderness, that we may take possession of the promised land; so the inward calm, the secret repose, the rest at times enjoyed in the soul - urges us on, and makes us cry aloud, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest."

James Smith (Puritan)

the gospel reveals ...
a Savior - in whom we must trust
a Sovereign - whom we must obey
a Priest - on whose atonement we must rest
a Prophet - from whom we must learn
a Friend - in whose love we must confide
a Brother - from whom we may expect
a Father - whose authority we must revere
an Apostle - whose mission we must proclaim
an Advocate -to whom we must commit our cause

the gosple...
flows from the free love, rich grace, and abundant mercy of our God
is founded in the Savior's person, mediation (work on our behalf) and death
and only becomes effectual through the revelation, operation,
and application of the Holy Spirit. By this Spirit, He creates faith and
grants it, imparts love and excites hope and when accompanied by His
blessing - the gospel is received in demonstration and power.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Most errors in teaching today have to do with heretical universalism - saying that everyone is Called by God to be a Christian, or everyone is Chosen to be a Christian. But any child who knows how to read can see that isn't so. Here we have the Apostle teaching that even he only knows the Elect once they have been Effectually bought to faith in the Christ Jesus.

Beloved has He Chosen you? 
Knowing all your sins and failures, as you do, knowing how unworthy you are; do you still feel His divine Calling on you today? Believe on Christ - not Santa Jesus, not Buddy Jesus, not Social Activist Jesus, not Health and Wealth Jesus - But on the Biblical Jesus! The one who came to live a Godly life - because you didn't, the one who took the punishment for sins - you should have born, the one who died and rose again. Believe on this Jesus!

James Smith - My Favorite Puritan!

The true church comprises ...

all who were Chosen by the Father

all who were Redeemed by the Son

all who were Sanctified by the Holy Spirit

all whom the Father Chose - the Son died to Redeem

all whom the Son Redeemed - the Holy Spirit Quickens, Calls and Sanctifies