Monday, January 4, 2021

Denying self for the Treasure.

 Be honest, seriously, be completely honest right now- is the kingdom of heaven a treasure to you? 


Have you ever been on a treasure hunt of any kind? Have you witnessed treasure hunts on television, in movies, or read about them in books?


The bigger the treasure that has been hidden the more intense the treasure hunt, right?


The more that is at stake the more desperate people can be to get that stake. In a lot of treasure hunts more than one person is vying to find the treasure with the knowledge only one can win the prize and obtain the treasure.  Other treasure hunts involve people searching for many years to find a treasure, a lot of people throughout the years for the some lost treasure. Some have even made it their life's work to find various treasures, never succeeding. 


To what importance do we truly hold the kingdom of heaven? Do we TREASURE Heaven?


Are we willing to sell ALL- all of our self, to obtain the treasure that is heaven? Willing to deny self entirely and take up the cross, because denying self is cross bearing.


Mat_13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.


Luk_9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.


More than any price is the Kingdom of Heaven, is salvation! The priceless gift is a treasure. The word of God is a treasure, our Savior is a treasure and we need to seek the treasure endlessly. God help us!


(Excerpt)

Articles on Romans

by E. J. Waggoner

Chapter 3

Introduction


It is not really correct to say that we have finished the study of these two chapters, because we can never finish the study of any portion of the Bible. After we have put the most profound study upon any portion of the Scripture, the most that we have done is only a beginning. If Newton, after a long life of study of natural science,  could say that he seemed to be as a child playing on the seashore with the vast ocean before him unexplored,  with much more aptness can the same be said by the greatest student of the Bible.


Let no one therefore think that we have by any means exhausted this portion of the book. When the reader has the text well in mind, so that he can quite distinctly recall any passage at will, and can locate it with reference to the connection, he has just got where he can begin to study with real profit. Therefore let the reader who is anxious to acquire an understanding of the Scriptures for himself, dwell upon the words as though he were digging in a sure place for treasure. An inexhaustible one awaits his search.


The second chapter is really summed up in the first verse, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." 


The remaining verses are but an amplification of this statement. Thus, we find that there is no exception to the fact that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Hearing and knowing the truth is not a substitute for practicing it. God is no respecter of persons, but will punish sin wherever it is found.


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