The Best Christian Teachings and Readings

This article is for Christians who have had trouble finding the true peace that is promised with conversion. For those who are frustrated because they are constantly struggling with weakness and sin, this could well be the very help they've been praying for. Charles Finney saw countless tens of thousands of true conversions and all before the days of radio, TV, or mass publications. We thank God for continuing to anoint and use his writings. Many thousands have been helped by this article to break through to God's precious forgiveness. Remember one thing as you read this - God loves you so much, and is waiting for you to be thoroughly cleansed by His grace through repentance. "Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you... " Hosea 10:12 The Jews were a nation of farmers, and it is therefore a common thing for God to refer, in the Scriptures, to scenes from their daily lives as illustrations. Hosea add...

"Devotions" Or Devotion" Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -I Cor. 10:31 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father... whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. -Col. 3:17, 23 "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." -Rom. 14:7-8 These Scriptures reveal the true nature of what devotion to God really is. In discussing this subject, I propose to show: I. What true devotion to God is not. II. What true devotion to God is. III. That devotion, and nothing short of devotion, is true Christianity. IV. Several mistakes commonly made upon this subject. I. What True Devotion To God Is Not- 1....

One great reason why God leaves Christians in the world after their conversion is so they may be witnesses for God - that they may call the attention of the thoughtless multitude to see the difference in the character and destiny of those who believe the Gospel and those who reject it. The very fact that most people never even think about their sins (or any eternal things) is the great difficulty that stands in the way of true Christianity. Now the Spirit of God is always trying to awaken the attention of men to the subject of their sin and the plan of salvation. Miracles have sometimes been used to capture their attention, and in this way, miracles may become instrumental in conversion (although miracles in themselves never convert anybody). They may be the means of awakening, but are not always effective even as that, and if continued or made common, they would soon lose their power as an instrument of conversion. What is needed in the world is something that can be sort of an e...

"They said therefore to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.'" - John 6:28-29 There are multitudes of anxious Christians who are inquiring what they shall do to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. They overlook the fact that "this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (I John 5:4) that it is with "the shield of faith" that they are to "extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one." (Eph. 6:16) They ask, "Why am I overcome by sin? Why can't I get above its power? Why am I the slave of my appetites and passions and the sport of the devil?" They look all around them for the cause of all this spiritual wretchedness and death. Sometimes they think they have discovered the answer in the neglect of one duty, and at another time in the neglect of another duty. So...

Let your supreme motive be to increase your own popularity - then, of course, your preaching will be suited for that purpose, and not to convert souls to Christ. Avoid preaching doctrines that are offensive to the carnal mind, lest they should say to you, as they did of Christ, "This is a hard saying, who can hear it?" (John 6:60) Make no distinct points, and do not disturb the consciences of your hearers, lest they become alarmed about their souls. Avoid all illustrations, repetitions, and emphatic sentences that may compel your people to remember what you say. Avoid all heat and earnestness in your delivery, lest you make the impression that you really believe what you say. Address the emotions, and not the conscience, of your hearers. Be careful not to testify from your own personal experience of the power of the Gospel, lest you should produce the conviction upon your hearers that you have something which they need. Do not awaken uncomfo...

This is an edited and paraphrased version of the 21st chapter from "Revival Lectures" by Charles Grandison Finney. This message is as much for the Church today as when it was first brought forth in a series of lectures in the 1830s. We earnestly pray that you'll "read it and weep!" I cannot conclude any teaching on revival without warning converts against backsliding. In discussing this subject, I will show: 1) What backsliding in heart is not, 2) What backsliding in heart is, 3) What are the evidences of a backslidden heart, 4) What are the consequences of backsliding in heart, and 5) How to recover. What Backsliding In Heart Is Not- It does not consist of not having excited religious feelings. No longer having these great spiritual feelings may be an evidence of a backslidden heart, but it is not the cause of such a state. What Backsliding In Heart Is- It is in taking back that consecration to God and His service that constitutes true conversion....

"But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from My hand: you will lie down in torment." - Isaiah 50:11 (NIV) We can see from this verse that the prophet was speaking to those who claimed to be religious, and who flattered themselves with the idea that they were in a state of salvation. But in fact, their hope was just a fire of their own kindling-torches created by themselves. Before I go any further in discussing the subject of true and false conversion, I want to say that it will only be of use to those who will be honest in applying it to themselves. If you hope to gain anything at all from what I'm going to say, you must decide to make a faithful application of it personally. Be just as honest as if you thought you were now going to stand before the Lord. If you will do this, then I hope to help you discover your true s...