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  A CHRISTIAN'S GRACES
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: A Christian's graces are all gifts from God, and their strength
and maintenance come from Christ's spiritual operations.

Topics: "Grace", "Humility"
Scripture References: John 1:16, John 15:1-5, 1 Corinthians 4:7, James 1:17

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes that all graces in a Christian's life are gifts
received from God, urging believers to recognize that their light, life,
love, and other virtues are not self-generated but bestowed by the
Father. He illustrates that just as light comes from the sun and water
from the sea, all good in a Christian's life flows from God, reminding
them to remain humble and grateful. Brooks encourages Christians to view
their graces as jewels of glory, always remembering Christ as the source
of these gifts. He stresses the importance of keeping one's focus on
Christ, the fountain of grace, to nourish and sustain their spiritual
life. Ultimately, Brooks calls for a deep appreciation of God's grace
and a continual reliance on Christ for spiritual growth.

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CONTENT
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"What do you have--that you have not received?" 1 Cor. 4:7

What grace do you have--that you have not received?

All the light,

and all the life,

and all the love,

and all the joy,

and all the fear,

and all the faith,

and all the hope,

and all the patience,

and all the humility, etc.,

that you have--are all grace gifts--they are all

from God. "Every good gift and every perfect

gift is from above, and comes down from the

Father of lights." James 1:17

A man should never look upon his graces--but should

be ready to say, "These are the jewels of glory with

which God has bespangled my soul!"

Look! as all light flows from the sun, and all water from

the sea--so all temporal, spiritual, and eternal good flows

from God. All your graces, and the greatest excellencies

which are in you, do as much depend upon God, as the

light does upon the sun, or as the rivers do upon the sea,

or as the branches do upon the root, John 15:1-5.

All the springs of comfort that I have communicated to my

soul, and all the springs of grace that I have to quicken me,

they are all from God. A Christian's graces are all such

flowers of paradise as never grew in nature's garden. Now,

when a Christian looks thus upon all those costly diamonds

of grace, with which his soul is bedecked, he keeps humble,

though his graces are high.

Dear hearts, when you look upon the stream, remember

the fountain; when you look upon the flower, remember

the root; and whenever you look upon your graces, then

be sure to remember Christ the fountain of grace. When

one of your eyes is fixed upon your graces--let the other

be always fixed upon Christ the fountain of grace. "Indeed,

we have all received grace after grace from His fullness."

John 1:16

Grace is strengthened, maintained, nourished, and upheld

in your souls--in life and power, in beauty and glory--by

the spiritual, powerful, and glorious operations of Christ!

Christians, your graces are holy and heavenly plants

of Christ's own planting and watering! It is Christ alone

who can cause your graces to blossom, and your souls to

be like a watered garden--green and flourishing! Therefore

let the eye of your souls be firstly, mostly, and chiefly

fixed upon Christ.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/a-christians-graces/
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