….. He is altogether lovely…. Song of Solomon 5:16
His love wins us.
His glory charms us.
His beauty attracts us.
His sympathy soothes us.
His gentleness subdues us.
His faithfulness inspires us.

He is the “altogether lovely One!”

Jesus is all that is tender in love.
Jesus is all that is wise in counsel.
Jesus is all that is patient and kind.
Jesus is all that is faithful in friendship.
Jesus is all that is balmy, soothing, and healing.

The heart of Jesus is ever loving towards His children.
The disposition of Jesus is ever kind towards His children.
The nature of Jesus is ever sympathizing towards His children.

Jesus is your Brother, your Friend, your Redeemer.
As your Brother — He knows the need of His brethren in adversity.
As your Friend — He shows Himself friendly.
As your Redeemer — He has redeemed your soul from sin and hell.

There is . . .
not a moment of your time,
nor an event of your life,
nor a circumstance of your daily history,
nor a mental or spiritual emotion of yours —
in which you are not borne upon the love, and
remembered in the ceaseless intercession of Christ.

Yea, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!–” Song of Songs 5:16
— By Octavius Winslow

“Without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

NEVER forget that in the Lord is our righteousness and strength. We are not sufficient to think rightly of ourselves, but through Him we can do all things. Never attempt anything without looking to Jesus for power. Let a knowledge and constant sense of weakness keep you near to Him; sensibly depending on Him; and ascribing all good unto Him. You cannot, He can. You have destroyed yourself, in Him is your help found. It is only by union to Him, and receiving from Him, that you can glorify God, adorn your profession, enjoy your privileges, and obey the holy precepts of the gospel. Never presume, but come up out of the wilderness leaning on Him, your beloved. Live as one deeply sensible of your dependence upon, and obligation to, the Lord Jesus. He is the strength of the poor, the strength of the needy in his distress, and your strength too. Beloved, Jesus is your life-giving Head, the Fountain from which you are to draw all your supplies, and the Friend to whom you are to carry all your cares. He will work in you to will and to do of His own good pleasure.

Jesus, immutably the same!
Thou true and living vine!
Around Thy all-supporting stem
My feeble arms I twine;
Thou art my strength, my life, my hope,
Nor can I sink with such a prop.  —James Smith

We often hear people say, “No two people are alike”, and in a sense that is true. But, it also can be said that, by nature all people are alike. We all descended from Adam and have the same sinful nature. Of all men, “there is no difference”(Rom. 3:22), “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Whether you trace  your ancestry back to faithful Abraham or Nimrod the rebel, there is no difference. We are all sinful and unfit for the kingdom of God. Your family tree might be that of royalty or rogues, you are a rebel against the King of kings until you claim Christ as your Lord. Whether you are a bum or a banker, without Christ you are spiritually bankrupt. Black or white, bond or free, rich or poor, learned or illiterate we’re all in the same boat by nature, and it’s sinking. That’s the bad news!

The good news is that, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”(John 3:16). It is good news that, “Jesus. . . by the grace of God should taste death for every man”(Heb. 2:9); “. . .”he died for all”. . (2 Cor. 5:15), that we who are unrighteous “might be made the righteousness of God in him.”(2 Cor. 5:21), That is good news indeed— it is glorious! We have hope —but only in Him!

Jesus made salvation available for everyone, so anyone could be saved. Now “. . whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”(Rom. 10:13). God has provided everything everyone needs for anyone to be saved. All we have to do is “believe” to receive. It is easy for us because it was hard for Him. We can be saved because He was sacrificed. He died that we might live.

The sad news is there is none righteous, no not one. The glad news is, there is One righteous, yes just one. He who is righteous died for the unrighteous. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”(2 Cor. 5:21). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. . . (Acts17:31)