John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

How blessed that the Saviour who was born in a stable should have His arrival first announced to humble shepherds in the fields, watching their flocks. Those who feel themselves great will not come to Him. Those who are self-satisfied and say that they are "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," will not run to such a meek and lowly Saviour. But all who know themselves to be sinners and long to be pure; all who know themselves to be empty of righteousness but hunger to be filled; all those who want to come for mercy and pardon instead of singing their own praises, will find the Saviour approachable. The Saviour made the way easy for all mankind when He had His coming announced to the shepherds by campfire, among the huddled flock of sheep that winter night long ago. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 17]

It was the believing hearts of these shepherds that made them fit subjects for the mighty revelation of this first Christmas announcement by the angel. I have no doubt that learned Sadducees who believed neither in miracles nor angels, missed entirely this glorious announcement and the angelic song that blazed from the sky over the fields. Sadducees did not look for a Saviour, would not have believed the message, would have explained away the appearance of the heavenly beings. If Jesus were to be born today, no Unitarian, no modernist, no evolutionist, no doubter of the Word of God would be in the fortunate group to be visited by angels and told of the Redeemer's birth! But to some lowly, Bible-believing, hungry-hearted and longing soul, the glad news would be brought. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 18-19]

How sorry I am for those who have, by their unbelief, tuned out from the radio of their minds all heavenly melodies, all glorious promises of the Saviour. How sad and poor are those who are slow to believe! I do not wonder that later Jesus, after His resurrection, said to those who did not believe He was raised from the dead: "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:25, 26). Those who are fools and slow of heart to believe will have no real Christmas this year nor any other year. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 19]

All the Christmas carols, all the brightly lighted Christmas trees, all the sweet greeting of friends and loved ones, all the feasting at loaded table are more or less empty forms to those who do not believe that Christ is the virgin-born Saviour and who have not trusted Him to save their own souls and give peace to their own tired and wretched hearts. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 19]

Dear friend who reads these words, are you the one who has heard the good news but did not accept it? Have you been told of the Saviour's birth but you have not come to Him, to love Him and trust Him and receive Him for your own? Oh, hasten then to Jesus and see for yourself that what all the angels said is true. The praises of saints and martyrs, priests and prophets are justified. This happy Christmas season, go for yourself to look in the manger; see the face of the baby Jesus. And there you will find yourself looking into the tender, broken heart of God who "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son." In that manger where the baby lay that day, the believing heart could see the coming of Calvary and a Saviour slain on a cross that we sinners might believe and be saved. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 20-21]

It is part of the penalty and guilt of sin that the sinner does not realize the enormity of his wickedness. Part of the harm of liquor is that the man who is intoxicated thinks himself wise and brave and strong and capable. He thinks himself warm while he is freezing. He thinks himself safe as he drives a car careening down the highways to kill or be killed. How many drunkards, deceived by intoxication, boldly begin a fight, without realizing their incapability and are shot down or murdered by others, perhaps equally intoxicated. So it is with sin. It deceives, enslaves and blinds while it leads men on to destruction. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 63]

Some people believe that Satan himself is master and manager of Hell. That is not true. Satan is not even in Hell now. He goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is called "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). But the time is coming when he will be cast into Hell and be punished forever. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 112]