A Valentine's Day Devotional for February 14, 2025
From the Pen of John Bunyan
"I Believe God’s Word Quickens the Dead"
“When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth’” [!] John 11: 43.
I believe, that to have an effectual calling the Holy Ghost [Spirit] must accompany the word of the Gospel and with mighty power: I mean; that calling which is of God is made to be the fruit of electing love. I know, says Paul to the Thessalonians; brethren, beloved your election of God: For our Gospel came not unto you in word only; but also in power, and in the holy Ghost [Spirit], and in much assurance (1 Thessalonians 1: 4, 8). Otherwise, men will not, cannot, hear and turn [or repent]. Samuel was called four times, before he knew the voice of him that spoke from heaven. It is said of them [the Israelites] in Hosea, as the Prophets called them, so they went from them. And instead of turning to them, [they] sacrificed to Balaam, and burnt incense to graven images (1 Samuel 4:6, 10: Hosea 11: 2).
The reason being: Because men by nature, are not only dead in sins but enemies in their minds by reason of wicked works. The call then is this: Awake you who sleep and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light (Ephesians 5: 14). Understand; therefore, that effectual calling is like that word of Christ that raised Lazarus from the dead: A word attended with an arm, that was omnipotent. Lazarus come forth—was a word to the dead—but not only so: It was a word for the dead; a word that raised him from the dead; a word that outwent all opposition; and that brought him forth of the grave though bound hand and foot! (John 11: 43; Ephesians 2: 1-2; Hebrews 10: 32; Galatians 1: 15; & Acts: 9).
This devotional was taken from Daily Readings from John Bunyan edited by Dr. Roger D. Duke published by Christian Focus Press.
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