'Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon.'

The great challenging question of the inspired Bible-writers of old - why? What are the motives that drive us away from God and His eternal plan for all who trust in Him? Here is why we recoil from Him, and all that we miss as a result.

Why does Paul here use terms that refer to conversion to also describe what God imparts to converted people? The same benefits advance holiness, happiness, instrumentality and assurance, and here is how they may be hindered or helped as they flow to us.

'In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck.'

When people become Christians, they are ingrafted into Christ so that His holiness and perfection become theirs in the sight of God the Father. Here is the meaning of the words: 'Christ Jesus… is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.'

Faith, says the Bible, is essential to finding the Lord, even though faith itself can accomplish nothing. So why is it the only way to approach God? Here is the Bible's own explanation, showing the precise nature of Faith, and how it draws us to God.

The famous 'armour of God' passage, drawn from the Roman soldier's equipment, shows the approach to the spiritual life for holiness and fruitfulness. Each item, and the order in which each must be put on, provides safety and advance in the spiritual warfare.

'The word... which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.'

Using an earthly object to portray something in the infinite mind of God, the Bible speaks of a book or record containing every experience of life on the way to heaven had by those who know Him. Here is scriptural information on the book of life.

The seven great benefits that flow from justification are revealed by the apostle. Here are the incomparable riches of Christian life and experience that lift believers over tribulations and make communion with Christ a daily reality. A ministerial compendium of blessing.