LookingtoJesus

Grace to You

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:1-8

Colossians 1:1-2, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers[a] in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

The story is told of a poor European family which saved for years to buy tickets to sail for America. Once at sea, they carefully rationed the cheese and bread they had brought for the journey. After three days, the boy complained to his father, “I hate cheese sandwiches. If I don’t eat anything else before we get to America, I’m going to die.” Giving the boy his last nickel, the father told him to go to the ship’s galley and buy an ice-cream cone. When the boy returned a long time later with a wide smile, his worried dad asked, “Where were you?” “In the galley, eating three ice-cream cones and a steak dinner!” “All that for a nickel?” “Oh, no, the food is free,” the boy replied. “It comes with the ticket.” 

The young church at Colossae was infiltrated by heretical teaching which diminished the truth of the sufficiency of Christ.  The so-called Colossian heresy included elements of worldly philosophy, legalism, mysticism, and asceticism.  In every sense it amounted to a depreciation of Christ in both His nature and work.  Paul’s main purpose was to refute the heresy, so the book of Colossians speaks both to the preeminence of Christ and His sufficiency.  God has graciously provisioned unto us, in Christ, everything we need for life and godliness.  We are complete in Him.  

As there is no inadequacy in any respect in anything that God has ever done, or will do, so we as believers have been fully provided for by God in Christ.  The greeting of the epistle is rooted in this reality.  How do you greet others?  What do you say?  Paul was in the habit of drawing attention to God’s grace and peace provisioned to us in Christ – ”Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

We understand the role of grace in our salvation, for salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Unmerited favor is bestowed by God, who is rich in grace, at the moment of saving faith.  Yet that experience is but a mere “introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Romans 5:2).  As we proceed on our Christian journey, we come to realize better the full majesty and necessity of the grace which God “has lavished upon us” (Ephesians 1:8).  It is as Steve Green once wrote, “Surely we’ll find what grace is for as we sail to heaven’s shore!”

God’s grace is as an inexhaustible supply, a literal boundless ocean of grace!  So was Paul’s thinking as he wrote thus to those dear readers!  What would prevent any of us from better appreciating God’s provision to us in Christ?  To be filled up with something, we must first be emptied.  God gives grace to the humble.  He sits on a throne of grace and gladly draws from His storehouse to meet the needs of those who humbly beseech His blessings in prayer (Hebrews 4:16)!

Charles Spurgeon has commented on this, “Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you . In the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God you shall receive renewed strength. In Jesus all needful things are laid up for you. Then enjoy your continual allowance. Never go hungry while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy.”

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

More Than Conquerors

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

No one would have deemed Jesus a conqueror and no one could have foreseen His ultimate triumph when the cosmic powers of this present darkness zealously were working towards His demise. One apparent defeat led to another and then another. The religious leaders had long conspired against Him. Then He was betrayed and was arrested. In His moment of need, He was abandoned by His closest friends, though they had promised to Him their undying allegiance. An unjust trial with lying witnesses led to His deliverance to the governor. Yet He refused to make any kind of defense. Given a choice, the crowds chose to release Barabbas instead of Him. And that same crowd was then incited by the leaders to cry out for His crucifixion. Any faint glimmer of hope which remained was soon eclipsed by the forthcoming events. He was scourged, stripped of His clothing, mocked as they adorned His head with a crown of thorns. They spat on Him and derided Him and led Him away to the cross. The Scriptures declare “cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree,” yet that’s exactly where He found Himself. He came to His own and His own received Him not. Instead, they mocked Him–the soldiers, the religious leaders, the thieves crucified with Him and those passing by. He was utterly alone and forsaken, and ultimately even abandoned by the One with whom He has shared eternity, who was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief. It was the most ghastly and horrific of scenes in all the annals of human history. And no human witness on that day could have imagined how any good could have come out of it. All was seemingly lost–the mission, the man, the hope for a deliverer. If it were a modern sporting event, the hometown crowd would have long before proceeded for the exits.

Yet, things are not always as they appear to be, and that’s especially true when we factor in God’s wisdom, omnipotence, and undying love.  The death of Christ on the cross was not a victory for the forces of evil at all–far from it–it was the very means by which their defeat was assured. Unwittingly, they had only worked “to do whatever (God’s) hand and (God’s) plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:28)!  There could be no greater defeat than if man had prevailed to murder his maker, but the grave was powerless to hold Him and a cursed cross soon gave way to an opened tomb, as doom and triumph traded places. History has witnessed no greater triumph than Calvary’s victory over sin, and death, and the devil himself!

So, the believer follows in the footsteps of Jesus.  To “suffer with Him” is the path to which they are all called (Romans 8:17).  And as with the Master, so it is with those who follow in His steps.  Every heavenward step is met with opposition.  The forces of evil are always working to tempt and accuse.  The narrow way is filled with peaks and valleys and unexpected turns.  Failures mount up.  Burdens grow.  Discouragement is either at hand or drawing near. Sometimes things look an awful lot like defeat, just as in Jesus’s case.  But even if all glimmer of hope might seem lost, it never truly is!  In His death and resurrection, Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15)!  His triumph is yours too!  You became more than a conqueror the moment you put your faith in Jesus!  No matter what comes your way in the here and now, no matter how bleak things might seem, you are forever victorious through Him who has loved you!  

VICTORY IN JESUS

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory

Chorus: O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

I heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow’r revealing
How he made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,”
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory. [Chorus]

I heard about a mansion he has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing and the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory. [Chorus]

COMPLETE IN CHRIST

“Reading Through the Book of Colossians”

DAY	FOCUS	BIBLE READING
1	Grace to You	Colossians 1:1-8
2	Meant to be Shared	Colossians 1:1-8
3	Signs of Life	Colossians 1:1-8
4	Knowing God’s Will	Colossians 1:9-14
5	A Worthy Walk	Colossians 1:9-14
6	Strength for the Journey	Colossians 1:9-14
7	Divine Deliverance	Colossians 1:9-14
8	Redeemed!	Colossians 1:9-14
9	By, Through, and For Him	Colossians 1:15-18
10	Christ Above All	Colossians 1:15-18
11	Making Peace	Colossians 1:19-23
12	How Great a Salvation!	Colossians 1:19-23
13	A Message Worth Dying For	Colossians 1:24-29
14	Knit Together in Love	Colossians 2:1-7
15	The Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge	Colossians 2:1-7
16	So Walk in Him	Colossians 2:1-7
17	Complete in Christ	Colossians 2:8-15
18	Paid in Full	Colossians 2:8-15
19	Self-Made Religion	Colossians 2:16-23
20	Heavenly Minded	Colossians 3:1-4
21	Keep Looking Up	Colossians 3:1-4
22	Justifiable Homicide	Colossians 3:5-15
23	Dress for Success	Colossians 3:5-15
24	His Word in Your Heart	Colossians 3:16-4:1
25	The Christ-Centered Home	Colossians 3:16-4:1
26	Worship at Work	Colossians 3:16-4:1
27	The Priority of Prayer	Colossians 4:2-6
28	Witnessing God’s Way	Colossians 4:2-6
29	Common Cause	Colossians 4:7-18
30	Remember My Chains	Colossians 4:7-18

No Separation

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

My coworker and I noticed a dead porcupine lying by the side of the road, as we were headed to do a patient visit.  Its ill-timed venture to cross the road had apparently led to its tragic demise.  We stopped to take a look at the poor creature.  They say It’s easy to tell when a porcupine gets mad.  They stomp their feet, hiss and shake their tens of thousands of quills, which normally lie flat against the porcupine’s body.  They defend themselves by charging or swatting their spiked tail at opponents.  But with all extended, that poor porcupine’s quills were no match for a fast-moving vehicle.

We humans are too much like porcupines.  Our prickly ways are always working against us. This broken world is filled with so many broken relationships.  Sin is at the heart of it.  We tend to get mad, stomp our feet and put others at a distance.  The Devil delights in every broken marriage, broken home and any other broken relationship.  I recently visited a fellow who married his high school sweetheart.  Having been married for some seventy years, they defied the norm when it comes to human relationships.  Still, even in their exemplary situation, the deep pain associated with separation was unavoidable when his wife died.  So it is in this world, we are too often saying goodbye to someone, whether in a tearful farewell or a good riddance sort of way.   

Sin worked to separate us from God and left unresolved it’ll separate a sinner from God forevermore.  The heartbreak associated with the broken relationships in this world foretells of a heartbreak of infinite proportion when an unrepentant sinner suffers “the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

Believers in Christ, on the other hand, have been mercifully brought into a relationship with God which is eternally secure.  A search is made in our passage for every adverse circumstance which might work to undo that which God has done.  Who, or what, is going to separate us?  Is there any entity or force which can work to steal us away from God?  The list of possibilities is long and all-inclusive, because it speaks ultimately of anything else in God’s creation!  Yet there is nothing which can work to unbind that which God has bound.  Friends may fail us.  Foes assail us.  But He “will never leave (us) nor forsake (us)” (Hebrews 13:5).

The One who has so loved us in Christ and is greater than all, who knows all about our porcupine ways, holds us so tight “no one is able to snatch (us) out of (His) hands” (John 10:29). So, in this life, we learn much of the pain of separation.  I’ve talked to many older folks who have said so many goodbyes to family members that there was no one left to say goodbye to!  Yet be encouraged in this dear believer–the God who knows all about your porcupine ways has worked to save you from your sins.  He loves you with a love which cannot fail.  And even when that time comes, when you breathe your final breath and say goodbye to this world, your departure will work to bring you to a place where death and sorrow will be no more!  You’ve a friend in heaven from whom you cannot be separated!  How blessed we are in this wonderful truth!

O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO

O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee.
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.

O Light that follows all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee.
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain,
that morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee.
I lay in dust, life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red,
life that shall endless be.

Interceding For Us

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:34, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

Hebrews 7:25, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Jesus is at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf.  What an amazing truth! To intercede is to plead with a person on someone else’s behalf.  It is sometimes used in Scripture to speak of the prayers of men.  It would be fair to say, “Jesus is praying for me.”  Did you know that?  You have others, no doubt, praying for you.  You are encouraged by this truth–Prayer Warriors lovingly taking your prayer concerns and needs to the throne of grace, so you will be helped by God.  Setting that aside, is it not an incredible thing to know Jesus Himself is praying for you?!  Robert Murray McCheyne, a pioneer missionary to America, once testified, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me!”  We should also note that it’s not just Jesus who is praying for you, the Holy Spirit is too (Romans 8:27)!

To be sure the exact manner of communication between the glorified and omniscient persons of the trinity is beyond our comprehension, yet that does not diminish the wonder of it all.  The context of the Romans 8:34 reference is the security of the believer.  In this portion of Scripture, we read of the opposition and threats we face: accusations; condemnations; tribulation, distress, persecution, etc.  To be sure, the journey of the believer, from new birth to glory, is an arduous one–filled with obstacles and challenges.  It is in this context we are reminded “Christ Jesus is the one who died–yet more than that, Him, Who was raised–Who is at the right hand of God, Our Savior who intercedes for us” (Romans 8:34)!  The One who died for your sins and rose from the dead.  Jesus is seated at the right hand of God and is praying for You! 

You have others who pray for you, praise God, yet none so qualified as our Savior!  Human prayers are limited in both extent and power, but the One who created all things and rose from the dead is without limits.  Human beings can grow weary in their prayers, but not so the omnipotent Christ.  Perhaps you have been oblivious to His intercessory work, yet He’s never stopped praying for you.  From how many spiritual pitfalls have you rescued?  How many times were you led away from danger?  How much strength has been imparted to you?  How many times was a needed truth mysteriously brought to your mind? 

The passage in Hebrews speaks to Jesus’ intercessory work in relation to His saving work: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).  A “salvation to the uttermost” is assured because Jesus is a Great High Priest who “always lives to make intercession for them.”  He prays us along on our path to glory!  Be encouraged–He will complete the work He started in you.  Nothing can separate you from His love!

ARISE, MY SOUL, ARISE

Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off your guilty fears;
the bleeding Sacrifice
in my behalf appears.
Before the throne my Surety stands,
before the throne my Surety stands;
my name is written on his hands,
my name is written on his hands.

He ever lives above,
for me to intercede,
his all-redeeming love,
his precious blood to plead.
His blood atoned for ev’ry race,
his blood atoned for ev’ry race,
and sprinkles now the throne of grace,
and sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds he bears,
received on Calvary;
they pour effectual prayers,
they strongly plead for me.
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“nor let that ransomed sinner die,
nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

My God is reconciled;
his pard’ning voice I hear.
He owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear.
with confidence I now draw nigh,
with confidence I now draw nigh,
and “Father, Abba, Father!” cry,
and “Father, Abba, Father!” cry.

Good News!

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:34, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God.”

1 Corinthians 15:1-3, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel which I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you–unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead!  This gospel message is of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3).  A message which changes everything for those who believe.  It is the message by which we are being “saved” (1 Corinthians 15:2).  It is both simple enough for a child to understand, yet so profound even a lifetime of study could not hope to plumb the depths of its unfathomable riches.  

Romans chapter eight has much to say about suffering and triumph. It’s not surprising to find the gospel message right there in the middle of it all, because it is the message which works to save us from condemnation (Romans 8:1) and assure us of future triumph in glory (Romans 8:37).

“Christ Jesus is the one who died” (Romans 8:23).  That He would take on human flesh and purpose to suffer and die for our sins speaks to the richness of God’s mercy and greatness of His love (Ephesians 2:4).  We were children of wrath, dead in our sins, engaged in evil deeds–yet God graciously intervened to save us by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-3).  The Apostle Paul was ever mindful of the gospel truth that Jesus “loved (him) and gave himself for (him)” (Galatians 2:20).  We should never lose sight of this matter of first importance by which we are being saved, for no matter what we are going through, Calvary reminds us there is a God who so loved us, He gave His only Son to save us from our sins.

“More than that, who was raised.”  It is the message of Christ’s resurrection from the dead which was in focus in Peter’s first sermon.  The early church took that message of Christ’s death for sins and resurrection from the dead from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).  That Christ rose from the dead is a message which speaks to the acceptance of His payment for sins and His triumph over sin and death and the devil himself!  We serve a risen and reigning Savior who is seated at the right hand of God.  How comforting and reassuring that is!  Persecuted believers around the world have held tightly to this truth, which has reassured and emboldened them amidst their suffering.  His victory is ours too!  Yet how prone we are to forget such things.  This is why Paul admonished Timothy, saying, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8).  

Amidst the challenges we face, it’s good for us to regularly preach to ourselves this glorious gospel message. Read about it. Think on it. Sing of it in the hymns which rejoice in its joyful truths. It is a matter of “first importance” both theologically and personally. It is the message by which “we are being saved” (1 Corinthians 15:2). These blessed truths work to remind and assure us that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD

My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Him-self for me
And paid the price
Of all my sin at Calvary.

CHORUS: For me He died;
For me He lives,
And everlasting life
And light He free-ly gives.

No merit of my own
His anger to suppress
My only hope is found
In Jesus’ righteousness. CHORUS

And now for me He stands
Before the Father’s throne
He shows His wounded hands
And names me as His own. CHORUS

His grace has planned it all
‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love
And Christ receive. CHORUS

The Facts of the Case

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:33-34a, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn?”

“Guilty, vile and helpless we, spotless Lamb of God is He.  Full atonement, can it be?  Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

There was no need for an affidavit.  No need for probable cause to obtain a search warrant.  No need for human witnesses. The God who knows all and sees all, understands all about your sins—“no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

In the Divine Courtroom every human being stands guilty before the just and perfect Creator of all, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). There can be no appeal. The guilty verdict stands, as does the righteous judgment—“the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

So, what are any of us to do?  There’s nothing on our own which can be done.  The fact of our guilt is undeniable.  The punishment is unavoidable.  No amount of pleading or begging, or excuse-making can change the course of this just verdict.  We are helpless and hopeless to do anything.  There can be no acquittal.

Yet in the courtroom stands One who has purposed to intervene on our behalf.  Sent from God Himself, He “came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).  In His preeminent act of love, by His once for all sacrifice for sins, He came to bear the punishment we deserve.  “By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands,” having nailed it to the cross, He has absolved the guilt of all who trust in Him (Colossians 2:14).  “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through out Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).  On the merit of Christ’s sacrifice, the believer in Christ has been declared righteous, and that verdict stands and is irrevokable for those who are in Him!

That doesn’t stop Satan, the accuser of the brethren, from making accusations against the child of God (Revelation 12:10).  “Guilty,” he cries out. “You are forever doomed,” he declares!  In one sense, his accusations are valid, for we do still sin.  But Satan gets nowhere in his charges because God has already dismissed the charges against us.  The Righteous Judge himself has once-for-all declared the believer righteous on the basis of his faith in Jesus Christ, and His once-for-all sacrifice for sins.  No past sins, no present sins, and no future sins can work to change God’s verdict!

Martin Luther commented on this, “When the devil accuses us and says, ‘You are a sinner and therefore damned,’ we should answer, ‘Because you say I am a sinner, I will be righteous and saved.’  ‘No,’ says the devil, ‘you will be damned.’  And I reply, ‘No, for I fly to Christ, who gave himself for my sins.  Satan, you will not prevail against me when you try to terrify me by setting forth the greatness of my sins and try to bring me into heaviness, distrust, despair, hatred, contempt and blasphemy against God.  On the contrary, when you say I am a sinner, you give me armor and weapons against yourself, so that with your own sword I may cut your throat and tread you under my feet, for Christ died for sinners. . . . As often as you object that I am a sinner, so often you remind me of the benefit of Christ my Redeemer, on whose shoulders, and not on mine, lie all my sins.  So when you say I am a sinner, you do not terrify me but comfort me immeasurably.’”

HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!

Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

He was lifted up to die;
“It is finished” was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

The Sufficiency of Christ

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

Thomas Jefferson was passionate regarding the need for exploration of the west and led the effort in putting together the Corps of Discovery.  The Lewis and Clark expedition would answer the unknown questions of the west, yet its preparation was a huge undertaking.  Essentially a military mission, supplies for the expedition were provided by the Army Quartermaster.  Jefferson held nothing back in funding the effort, giving Meriwether Lewis a blank check with the understanding that he should buy whatever was needed and the US government would pay the bill.

In many respects the life of the believer can be likened to a lengthy journey from one place to another.  How can we be sure that we’ve all the necessary spiritual provisions to complete the journey?  The argument in verse 32 is from the greater to the lesser.  If God was willing to give up for us that which was most precious to Him—his own Son—would He not then also graciously give to us all things?

Note the focus in the verse on the generous, giving nature of God.  For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son.  He gave.  He did not spare His own Son.  He gave.  According to the richness of His grace, His unmerited favor. He gave.  God’s giving did not stop with the giving of His Son.  His preeminent gift is proof to us of His giving ways.  Just as Jesus once taught: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him (Matthew 7:7-11)!”  It is in the heart of God to give.  He gave Jesus up for you.  He will graciously provide for you everything you need. 

Ray Stedman has commented on this, “He who has already given us the best, the greatest, the dearest, the most precious thing He has, and Who did so while we were sinners — while we were enemies, while we were helpless — will He not also give us some of these trivial, piddling little things that we need? If someone thinks enough of you to give you a costly, brilliant, beautiful, flawless diamond, do you think he will object when you ask him for the box that goes with it? If a mother will give up a baby, do you think she will object if they ask to take his clothes too? And if God has given us his own Son already, do you really think God is going to withhold anything else that we need? Paul’s argument is unanswerable: Of course, he won’t. We can say with David in the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1)!

What will He not bestow?
Who freely gave this mighty gift unbought,
Unmerited, unheeded and unsought,
What will He not bestow?
He spared not His Son!
‘Tis this that silences each rising fear,
‘Tis this that bids the hard thought disappear.
He spared not His Son!

–Horatius Bonar

If God be For Us

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

“Were not the right man on our side, our striving would be losing!” – A Mighty Fortress is Our God

In the movie “My Bodyguard,” the main character is intimidated and harassed by an obnoxious bully.  Being small in stature, and not able to defend himself, he employs the biggest, much-feared dude in school to be his bodyguard.  With the bodyguard on his side, he no longer had any reason to fear.  The believer in Christ likewise does not need to fear, someone far greater than a bodyguard watches over us!

The beginning of our verse looks back to that which precedes.  “What shall we say to these things?”  The third person of the Trinity, the person of the Holy Spirit, indwells you and intercedes on your behalf.  Even if there was no one else to pray for you and you did not know what to pray, the Spirit of God is ever interceding and praying according to the will and purpose of God!  “What shall we say to these things?”  Though you confront obstacles and trials and troubles and personal failures and opposition and a myriad of challenges, God, who can bring good out of bad, is well able to cause all things to work together for good in your life.  “What shall we say to these things?”  The God who has called you and has justified you, will also glorify you.  He who “began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

Take courage in your struggle!  The omnipotent creator of all things is for you!  Our all-wise God, who works all things according to the counsel of His will, has ordained your triumph in Christ.  The God who did not spare His own Son, but freely offered Him up, in love, will never give up on you.  “What have you to fear, what have you to dread, leaning on the everlasting arms?”

It is as Charles Spurgeon has so eloquently described: “God is for us. But, O my brethren, though this brings in the context, it is impossible for any human speech to bring out the depth of the meaning of how God is for us. He was for us before the worlds were made: he was for us, or else he never would have given his Son; he was for us even when he smote the only-begotten, and laid the full weight of his wrath upon him—he was for us, though he was against him; he was for us when we were ruined in the fall—he loved us notwithstanding all; he was for us when we were against him, and with a high hand were bidding him defiance: he was for us, or else he never would have brought us humbly to seek his face. He has been for us in many struggles; we have had to fight through multitudes of difficulties; we have had temptations from without and within—how could we have held on until now if he had not been with us? He is for us, let me say, with all the infinity of his heart, with all the omnipotence of his love; for us with all his boundless wisdom; arrayed in all the attributes which make him God he is for us—eternally and immutably for us; for us when the blue skies shall be rolled up like a worn out vesture; for us throughout eternity. Here, child of God, is matter enough for thought, even though you had ages to meditate upon it: God is for you; and if God be for you, who can be against you?”

HAVE FAITH IN GOD

Have faith in God,
When your pathway is lonely
He sees and knows all
The way you have trod
Never alone
Are the least of His children
Have faith in God
Have faith in God

Chorus: Have faith in God
He’s on His throne
Have faith in God
He watches o’er His own
He cannot fail He must prevail
Have faith in God
Have faith in God

Have faith in God
When your pray’rs are unanswered
Your earnest plea
He will never forget
Wait on the Lord
Trust His word and be patient
Have faith in God
He’ll answer yet [Chorus]

Have faith in God
In your pain and your sorrow
His heart is touched
With your grief and despair
Cast all your cares
And your burdens upon Him
And leave them there
Oh leave them there [Chorus]

Have faith in God
Tho’ all else fail about you
Have faith in God
He provides for His own
He cannot fail tho’
All kingdoms shall perish
He rules He reigns
Upon His throne [Chorus]

Glory Bound

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:28-29, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

I just returned home after walking on the treadmill.  Though we are fortunate to have a fitness center only a block away from our house, I don’t make use of it as much as I should.  Funny thing about the treadmill, no matter how fast you walk or run, you’re not going anywhere.  It’s possible for any of us to live life that way, running to and fro, oblivious to whether or not we are actually going anywhere.

The final destination for the believer in Christ is the glory of heaven.  Verse 29 marks the fourth use of the term glory (or glorified) in this chapter.  That’s our destiny.  Though we endure suffering now with Christ, we do so “in order that we might be glorified with him” (Romans 8:17) and with the knowledge that the worth of glory that is to be revealed to us is far greater than “the sufferings of this present time” (Romans 8:18).  We presently abide in a creation which eagerly longs for the day of our revealing in glory (Roman 8:19).  The indwelling Spirit leads us along on our journey, praying for us “with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).  Every heartbeat, every breath, every step brings us one beat, one breath and one step closer to our heavenly destination.

Joy and blessings unimaginable await us in glory.  We shall see Jesus and marvel at Him!  We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.  We’ll be reunited with those in Christ who have gone on before us!  The troubles and trials of life will quickly evaporate in that place where there is no more death, nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain (Revelation 21:4).  Neither shall there be any more sin “in that place where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13)!

Charles Spurgeon has commented on this, “The glorified weep no more, for all outward causes of grief are gone. There are no broken friendships, nor blighted prospects in heaven. Poverty, famine, peril, persecution, and slander, are unknown there. No pain distresses, no thought of death or bereavement saddens. They weep no more, for they are perfectly sanctified. No “evil heart of unbelief” prompts them to depart from the living God; they are without fault before his throne, and are fully conformed to his image. Well may they cease to mourn who have ceased to sin. They weep no more, because all fear of change is past. They know that they are eternally secure. Sin is shut out, and they are shut in. They dwell within a city which shall never be stormed; they bask in a sun which shall never set; they drink of a river which shall never dry; they pluck fruit from a tree which shall never wither. Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity shall not be exhausted, and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall co-exist with it. They are forever with the Lord. They weep no more, because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything which they have not in possession. Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire, will, all the faculties, are completely satisfied; and imperfect as our present ideas are of the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, yet we know enough, by the revelation of the Spirit, that the saints above are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fulness of delight, is in them. They bathe themselves in the bottomless, shoreless sea of infinite beatitude. That same joyful rest remains for us. It may not be far distant. Ere long the weeping willow shall be exchanged for the palm-branch of victory, and sorrow’s dewdrops will be transformed into the pearls of everlasting bliss. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

You’re not running on a treadmill going nowhere fast. God has put you on a path to glory!  Because of this, He deserves all the praise, for it is all by His grace.  He brought you up out of the pit of despair.  He set you on the narrow way which leads to life.  The Spirit has providentially led you along as He’s worked to set your gaze upon Jesus.  Take heart, weary pilgrim, amidst your struggles, for just beyond the horizon lies your glorious destiny!  Every step brings you one step closer!

O THAT WILL BE GLORY

When all my labors and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me.

Refrain: O that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me;
When by His grace I shall look at His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.

When by the gift of His infinite grace,
I am accorded in heaven a place,
Just to be there and to look on His face
Will through the ages be glory for me. [Refrain]

Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
Joy like a river around me will flow;
Yet just a smile from my Savior, I know,
Will through the ages be glory for me. [Refrain]