5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (John 15:5,6)
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: One of the benefits of justification, adoption and sanctification is growing. Growth or progress for its own sake is not necessarily good. Yet, it is a benefit to be able to grow- for growing is living. If we stop growing in life, we are either stumping our growth, or we are beginning to die. Part of the benefits of being a believer is growing in grace. Part of the good news is we can grow in grace all the way to the end of our lives. The Christian life, contrary to popular opinion, is not a static/boring life, but an ever-growing, ever-changing life. The illusion is that real life is golf, or real life is sports, or real life is a house on the beach. But all the riches of the world cannot compare to real love. The poorest person can live an enriched life- full, growing, purpose-filled, loving til the end.
Prayer: Let me love growing in you and your grace, Lord.
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