Romans 5:1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 14:17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Q. 36. What benefits in this life accompany or derive from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits that in this life accompany or derive from justification, adoption, and sanctification are: the assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, and growing and persevering in grace to the end of our lives.
Thoughts: There are benefits that come from salvation- not just in the life to come, but also in this life. There are two kinds of benefits- one kind are fruits of the Spirit- joy, peace, and hope/assurance. The other kind is the fruit of living a purposeful life.
When we know we are God's and He is ours, there is assurance of that love and that relationship. There is peace with God where once there was struggle and rebellion. There is joy because of that peace and love that no one an take away. Reconciliation with God does not begin after we die, but now.
When the Father was reconciled with the Prodigal Son there was assurance, peace, and joy. When a couple reconciles with each other there is assurance, peace, and joy between each other. So with God, when we are saved and know it, we are reconciled to Him and experience assurance, peace, and joy as a foretaste of what is to come.
Christians are not just Christians for what is to come. Eternal life and its benefits begin now.
Prayer: May I find my hopes fulfilled in you- not only in the life to come, but in this life you have given me.
No comments:
Post a Comment