Theology Thursday
Q. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘now & not yet’ or ‘already, not yet’? These are words used to describe the way the Bible speaks of what Christians receive by being in Christ. Our inheritance as children of God is now and not yet.
Paul, in Ephesians 1:14, describes this concept using the idea of a deposit. In this life the Christian enjoys all the benefits that come from being in Christ and receiving the Spirit. We have the joy of salvation. The peace of God that comes with reconciliation. The knowledge of God’s love. I would also add the love of God’s people in the Church and hope for a better future.
But, like a deposit, these things are still a shadow of what is to come.. One day, we will enjoy even greater blessings than these in the new heavens and the new earth. More on that next week.
Are you experiencing these blessings? If you aren’t, can I encourage you to do two things? Firstly, to ask God to show you what you have in Christ and to help you have joy in your salvation. Secondly, to spend some time reflecting on what you have already in Christ.
In Christ we find a true purpose, love, hope and community. In an anxious world, we can have peace when we look to Jesus. In an uncertain world we can have certainty. In a fractured world, we can have family and community.
Do you see what you have in Christ and the gospel? Life can get hard sometimes. Life can hurt. But this deposit in the Spirit is what reminds us of God’s goodness now and in the time to come. Rejoice in your salvation today that you might continue to persevere in His grace.
For Today:
Pray:
Passages: Romans 5:5, Romans 5:1, Romans 14:17, 2 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 1:14
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘now & not yet’ or ‘already, not yet’? These are words used to describe the way the Bible speaks of what Christians receive by being in Christ. Our inheritance as children of God is now and not yet.
Paul, in Ephesians 1:14, describes this concept using the idea of a deposit. In this life the Christian enjoys all the benefits that come from being in Christ and receiving the Spirit. We have the joy of salvation. The peace of God that comes with reconciliation. The knowledge of God’s love. I would also add the love of God’s people in the Church and hope for a better future.
But, like a deposit, these things are still a shadow of what is to come.. One day, we will enjoy even greater blessings than these in the new heavens and the new earth. More on that next week.
Are you experiencing these blessings? If you aren’t, can I encourage you to do two things? Firstly, to ask God to show you what you have in Christ and to help you have joy in your salvation. Secondly, to spend some time reflecting on what you have already in Christ.
In Christ we find a true purpose, love, hope and community. In an anxious world, we can have peace when we look to Jesus. In an uncertain world we can have certainty. In a fractured world, we can have family and community.
Do you see what you have in Christ and the gospel? Life can get hard sometimes. Life can hurt. But this deposit in the Spirit is what reminds us of God’s goodness now and in the time to come. Rejoice in your salvation today that you might continue to persevere in His grace.
For Today:
- Have you heard of the now/not yet language?
- Ask God to help you have joy, peace and assurance today.
- Do you rejoice in your salvation, seeing what you have in Christ?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for His generosity and grace in giving us the Son & the Spirit.
- Give thanks for Christ who earns our blessings through His obedience in life and death.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others see and enjoy the blessings that we receive now in Christ.
Passages: Romans 5:5, Romans 5:1, Romans 14:17, 2 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 1:14
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