October 21 – The Promise Chain of Salvation

 “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.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” – Romans 8:29-30 (NASB)

Some commentators and theologians call this the “The Salvation Chain” but we call it “The Promise Chain.” Promises every faith believer can trust and cling to. These days we might have a difficult time knowing just what to believe. The dishonest media, the nefarious social justice erroneously labeled “woke” invades our lives without warning. It has conceited confidence that it is correct and right.  It isn’t. Being unsettled, worried, anxious about our future need not overwhelm our lives with fear of the future. We may not believe we will ever see the world the way we want it to be. But we can know our glorification, our justification, our calling by God to become his children is certain and permanent. God planned us to be conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus the Anointed. He is the preeminent one, the only rightful heir of God who has adopted us and made us co-heirs with Christ.  God our Father knew before the foundation of the earth that He would choose us to be conformed to the image of His Son; so He marked out, appointed, and determined beforehand that we be justified now and eventually glorified.    

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October 17 – Suffering With Christ Produces Glory

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” – Romans 8:16-17 (NASB)

 

Our verses today are packed with promises. First is the  promise that God’s Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. In Roman culture at the time Paul wrote this letter, for an adoption to be legally binding, seven reputable witnesses had to be present, attesting to its validity. God’s Holy Spirit confirms the validity of our adoption.[1] As children, we are heirs of God. We are promised that we will inherit eternal salvation (Titus 3:7), God Himself (Revelation 21:3), glory (Romans 5:2), and everything in the universe (Hebrews 1:2).[2] Proof of ultimate glory of faith believers is that we will suffer—whether it comes as mockery, ridicule, or physical persecution—because of our Lord and savior Jesus.  Because He suffered, we suffer. Because He's glorified, we're glorified. It's a long way from the peace-and -prosperity doctrine. Christianity is not escapism.[3] In verse 18 that follows our passage, Paul considers "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

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[1] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ro 8:16.

[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ro 8:17.

[3] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ro 8:17.

 

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June 1 – We’re In the Will

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” -  Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)

Every person who by faith believes in Jesus Christ is fully justified and formally adopted by God, our Father in heaven.  That is a promise given to all true Christians. At first we knew nothing of these promises and now they are ours forever. We once did not believe this but now we do believe and God’s Spirit is our witness that we are children in the Family of God.  Our new birth in Christ came at a tremendous cost; but we did not have to pay it. Jesus Christ paid the cost for us by sacrificing Himself to die on the cross. Our sin caused the death of God’s only begotten Son. Now, we are adopted sons and adopted daughters and heirs with full rights in the Family. In fact we’re fellow heirs with God’s only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. It’s good news for us because by the faith given to us, we are not on the outs; we are in God’s will in more ways than we know. He included us so, we have an inheritance as heirs – that’s a forever promise. Let’s live our lives today with respect to what God has given to us. 

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January 16 –Fruit that Glorifies God

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8”  -  (ESV)

Did you notice that this is a promise that our prayers will be answered? And our Lord showed that there is a connection between that promise and the bearing of spiritual fruit. That is not strange because when we pray asking God for something we need results are the fruit of our prayers.  Of course, we don’t produce the results, God does that.  In the same way that He produces the results of any service we do when we are in Christ and allow God’s words to motivates us to service.  Let’s remember that by effectively praying we produce fruit to God’s glory. Let us also remember where we need to be in spirit and in truth when we pray.  This is not a promise that we can use to become prosperous materially with large homes, fancy expensive sneakers and jet airplanes. It is not a promise to answer our self centered prayers.  The prayers that are answered are to glorify God our Father.  This is a promise that helps us find God’s will for our lives and what we should pray for. 

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January 11 – Resolved to Serve

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  - 1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)

Do you make New Year resolutions each year?  How does that work out for you?  For most of us the resolutions we make at the beginning of each year begin with sincere intentions but sort of fade from our memories. Soon, they are like a wisp of smoke from a candle that has just be put out. Our promise today might be a better starting point for new resolutions.  We are promised that as believers in Jesus Christ through faith, He has given each of us a gift.  The purpose of this gift is to glorify God through Jesus Christ.  Bringing Glory to  God is why we exist. It is why Jesus came to Earth and took on the form of a man lived a perfect life and sacrificed himself, a man without fault or spiritual blemish.  Resolving to observe the promises of this verse is a good place to start each year and throughout the year serving one another as God has enabled us to.  Today then, let's resolve to put our gifts to work for the Glory of God.

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December 14 – Where Power Is

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12  (ESV)

Paul confirms the promise we looked at yesterday. Today's verse calls us to reckon our acts of obedience and goodness as a “work of faith.”  And saying that he declares that it is by God's power we are enabled to do this.  Through our efforts the name of Jesus, is glorified in us when we accomplish it by the power God provides us to do the work.  We have this promise today so that we can know that our obedience gives God pleasure and it is produced by the power of God's grace through faith. This is the same dynamic at work at every stage of our Christian life. The power of God’s grace that saved us through faith is the same power of God’s grace that builds us up in Christ.  We can rejoice that putting ourselves into the good work that we have before us today, will result in God providing the power we need to accomplish the work and glorify our God.  What then will we apply this promise to today?  

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October 3 – Training to Lead or Serve?

“whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,”  1 Peter 4:11 (NASB)

We all are likely familiar with the many 'leadership training' opportunities that are available through seminars, classes and other programs.  Developing leaders is a keen focus with companies, cities, and organizations.  Depending on the version, we're using the NASB, the word 'lead' occurs 60 times in 60 verses in the Bible and the word 'leader' occurs 69 times in 69 verses.  Together it is 129 times.  By contrast, the word 'serve' occurs 207 times in 196 verses and 'servant' occurs 447 times in 402 verses a total of 654 times.  As Christians, we are reminded of the importance of serving God by serving others even in leadership positions.  In everything we do we are called to serve.  But we cannot do this on our own because we can only accomplish what God requires through the strength He supplies.  So if we really want our life on earth to count for anything we need to trust in the promise that He will give us the ability to serve.  And the great result, when we do, is that our God is glorified through Jesus Christ in what we do for Him.

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April 11 – Many Seeds

“Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:23-24 (NIV)

What do you think about being a seed?  In our Bibles we have many things recorded regarding the activities of Jesus Christ and regarding His teachings. We remember that we have four gospels records which we call Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They tell about the life and the work of Jesus from the beginning to the end giving many details of his 3 years of ministry. It is so helpful to read these detailed records now during this week. Today’s verses record a very important and powerful prediction and you and I prove how true it is. Yes, we are a small part of the “many seeds” that the death of Jesus provided. Let’s be sure to thank Him and to love Him for our eternal life comes from Him.