True faith does not depend merely on the state of man's head and understanding, but on the state of his heart. His mind may be convinced. His conscience may be pierced. But so long as there is anything the man is secretly loving more than God, there will be no true faith. The man himself may be puzzled, and wonder why he does not believe. He does not see that he is like a child sitting on the lid of his box, and wishing to open it, but not considering that his own weight keeps it shut. Let a man make sure that he honestly and really desires first the praise of God. It is the lack of an honest heart which makes many stick fast in their false religion all their days, and die at length without peace. Those who complain that they hear, approve, assent, but make no progress, and cannot get any hold on Christ, should ask themselves this simple question - "Am I honest? Am I sincere? Do I really desire first the praise of God?"~ J.C. Ryle,Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John, volume 1, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1987], 317-318. {John 5:40-47}

There is only one way to bring peace to the heart, joy to the mind, and beauty to the life; it is to accept and do the will of God.-William Barclay

This is our comfort. We are “immortal until our work is done;” mortal still, but immortal also. Let us never fear death, then, but rather rejoice at the approach of it, since it comes at our dear Bridegroom's bidding! C.H. Spurgeon, Christ with the Keys of Death and Hell, #894.

The only works of unregenerated man in heaven are the scars of the nails in the hands and feet of Jesus, the wounds in His side, and the thorn scars on His brow.-Walter Knight, Knight's Treasury of 2,000 Illustrations, Eerdmans, 1963, p. 155.