6 marks of the believer's growth in grace part 1 by JC Ryle

Let me take it for granted that we do not question the reality of growth in grace, and its vast importance. So far so good. But you now want to know how anyone may find out whether he is growing in grace or not?

I answer that question, in the first place, by observing that we are very poor judges of our own condition — and that bystanders often know us better than we know ourselves. But I answer further that there are undoubtedly certain great marks and signs of growth in grace — and that wherever you see these marks — you see a growing soul. I will now proceed to place some of these marks before you in order.

1. One mark of growth in grace, is increased HUMILITY. The man whose soul is growing, feels his own sinfulness and unworthiness more every year.

He is ready to say with Job, "I am vile!" And with Abraham, "I am dust and ashes!" And with Jacob, "I am not worthy of the least of all Your mercies!" And with David, "I am a worm!" And with Isaiah, "I am a man of unclean lips!"

Scripture:

Job 40:4; Genesis 18:27; 32:10; Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 6:5;

Job 40

3 Then Job answered the Lord and said:

4 “Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. -njkv

Genesis 18

26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”

27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” -nkjv

Genesis 32

9 Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. -nkjv

Psalm 22 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people. -nkjv

Isaiah 6

5 So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” -nkjv

source: www.jcryle.info

What is the timeline in which Solomon wrote the books of the bible?

Open line Nov 11, 2023 Hour 2 @13:50 with Pastor Mike Fabarez

Listener Bob: Can you talk a little bit about Solomon's life and maybe his time line and when he wrote the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and did he fall away there at the end of his life?

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=557874&hour=2

Summary of the segment:

The writings of Solomon contribute to part of the book of Proverbs and is a collection of writings that was written by Solomon that spans across his life, at least in the earlier seasons and decades of his life.

Song of Solomon is clearly about his marriage to the Shulamite bride. That book was an early book written by Solomon and has a celebratory mood with a sense of innocence as he describes his courtship and honeymoon.

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his later years as he looks back at his life. The book describes Solomon's dull and bleak outlook as he testifies to his unfulfilling life that lacks satisfaction, the various sinful pursuits that he did.

In the books of Kings and Chronicles, the bible describes the falling away of Solomon. He was disciplined by God with the falling away of his kingdom. Solomon's primary sin is that he was lured away by the wives that he had and his foreign wives tempted him to offer worship to foreign gods.

Wealth and Poverty from God's view by JC Ryle

Let us never give way to the common idea that people are to be valued according to their income, and that the person who has most money is the one who ought to be the most highly esteemed.

There is no authority for this notion in the Bible. The general teaching of Scripture is flatly opposed to it. “Not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble are called” (1 Cor. 1:26). “Let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glories glory in this, that he knows and understands me” (Jeremiah 9:24). Wealth is no mark of God’s favor. Poverty is no mark of God’s displeasure. Those whom God justifies and glorifies are seldom the rich of this world. If we would measure people as God measures them, we must value them according to their grace.

Scripture:

1 Cor 1

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. -nkjv

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: -kjv

26 For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; -nasb

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. -niv

Jeremiah 9

23 Thus says the Lord:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. -nkjv

23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. -kjv

23 This is what the Lord says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. -nasb

23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom     or the strong boast of their strength     or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:     that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,     justice and righteousness on earth,     for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. -niv

source: www.jcryle.info