Lord's Day 18

Week 17 :: Week 18 :: Week 19

Devotion

How do we benefit from the doctrines of justification, adoption, and sanctification? Sometimes as we study these lofty and heady topics of theology, we forget that these doctrines are intended for the encouragement and inspiration of those who believe. We are reminded today that justification, adoption, and sanctification speak to our hearts. 

First we find that these doctrines provide unquestionable assurance of God’s love. Ephesians 2:4 teaches us that it was because of God’s great love for us that he made us alive together with Christ. God declared us just through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, who was given in love. We have been adopted by a loving Father, and as such, our heavenly father continues to provide, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, His guidance and nurture for His children. 

Knowing that we have been made right with God, adopted by God, and growing in the grace of God, we also know that we now have a secured peace with God. John teaches that “whenever our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” Although we may have insecurities and doubts, we can rest assured because our salvation is secured by God, and God is greater than even our hearts. 

Furthermore, we receive an abiding joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy, being one of the fruits of the Spirit, runs deeper than happiness, is more permanent than the temporary highs afforded by the successes of this life. Joy is an attitude of praise and thanksgiving regardless of the circumstances, which is the result of the knowledge that the sovereign God of the universe has called, renewed, saved, and established us in His love. 

A final benefit of these doctrines is the comfort of knowing that if God has provided for our salvation, then God will also ensure that His saints will persevere unto the end. Our salvation is fixed, and there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. 

Prayer

Almighty God, we thank you for your wonderful gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, and for the resulting assurance of your love, the peace and joy which comfort us, the continuing growth in grace through your Spirit, and for our promised perseverance unto the end. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Question 36

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.

Scripture Proofs

Rom. 5:1-2;

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom. 14:17;

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Prov. 4:18;

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

1 John 5:13;

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

1 Peter 1:5.

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.