The Glory of Christ

The best news ever!

  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

Increasing our Capacity

December 11, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

As John Owen continues laying the foundation in his Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, he highlights that this exercise–seeing Christ’s glory by faith in this life–makes us fit for heaven:

“Music has no pleasure in it unto them that cannot hear; nor the most beautiful colours, unto them that cannot see. It would be no benefit unto a fish, to take him from the bottom of the ocean, filled with cold and darkness, and to place him under the beams of the sun; for he is no way meet to receive any refreshment thereby. Heaven itself would not be more advantageous unto persons not renewed by the Spirit of grace in this life.” (Page 21)

     Unless, through grace, we are continually seeing Jesus’ glory, “heaven itself would not be more advantageous” because that’s the essence of heaven and the new earth. If the beholding of Jesus’ glory does not bring comfort and delight to the soul, heaven would not be an appealing place–it would not be a good fit.

Jan Blonk
Author of “An Unfathomable Gift!“

Filed Under: Books, John Owen Tagged With: Books, John Owen

Full of Grace and Truth

December 10, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

In laying the foundation for his Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, John Owen addresses the nature of Christ’s glory: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). This is what Owen wrote:

“It was his glory, as he was “full of grace and truth.” They saw the glory of his person and his office in the administration of grace and truth.” (Page 19)

     Jesus entered our fallen, sinful, deceived world with grace and truth. That’s what his disciples saw manifested throughout His life. That is part of His glory.

Jan Blonk
Author of “An Unfathomable Gift!“

Filed Under: Books, John Owen Tagged With: Books, John Owen

Christmas without Christ …

December 9, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

Christmas without Christ is an ocean without water and a beautifully wrapped box without content:

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: songs

Seeing Jesus’ Glory by Faith

December 8, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

John Owen, in his Meditation and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, stressed the vital need that we need to see Jesus’ glory by faith, for otherwise we will not be the eternal beneficiaries of seeing His glory by sight:

“No man shall ever behold the glory of Christ by sight hereafter, who does not in some measure behold it by faith here in this world. Grace is a necessary preparation for glory, and faith for sight. Where the subject (the soul) is not previously seasoned with grace and faith, it is not capable of glory or vision.” (Page 18)

     If there is no desire for and delight in Jesus’ glory, there is spiritual deadness. Unless there is some measure of seeing His glory by faith, there is no salvation. Here is a litmus test: do we have some desire for and delight in Jesus’ glory? If not, we would be entirely out of place in heaven and on the new earth.

Jan Blonk
Author of “An Unfathomable Gift!“

Filed Under: Books, John Owen Tagged With: Books, John Owen

Two Ways to Behold Jesus

December 7, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

As John Owen continues to emphasize the main point of his Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, he shows that there are two ways to behold Jesus’ glory:

“There are, therefore, two ways or degrees of beholding the glory of Christ, which are constantly distinguished in the Scripture. The one is by faith, in this world, — which is ‘the evidence of things not seen;’ the other is by sight, or immediate vision in eternity, 2 Cor. v. 7, ‘We walk by faith, and not by sight.’” (Page 18)

     Until we die, we will only be able to behold Jesus’ glory by faith. After that it will be by sight, and so eternally. While the sight is obviously better than only by faith, there is a real, definite “sight” by faith.

Jan Blonk
Author of “An Unfathomable Gift!“

Filed Under: Books, John Owen Tagged With: Books, John Owen

Lord Reign in Me

December 6, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

Our greatest need is Jesus’ powerful reign in and through our lives:

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: songs

Beholding Jesus

December 5, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

John Owen’s premise in Meditation and Discourses on the Glory of Christ is as follows:

“That which at present I design to demonstrate is, that the beholding of the glory of Christ is one of the greatest privileges and advancements that believers are capable of in this world, or that which is to come. It is that whereby they are first gradually conformed unto it, and then fixed in the eternal enjoyment of it. For here in this life, beholding his glory, they are changed or transformed into the likeness of it, 2 Cor. iii. 18; and hereafter they shall be “for ever like unto him,” because they “shall see him as he is,” 1 John iii. 1, 2.” (Page 18)

     He uses 2 Corinthians 3:18 where we see that our sanctification–our growing conformity to Jesus–stands in full relation to “beholding the glory of the Lord,” and he uses 1 John 3:2 where we see that our glorification–our perfect conformity to Jesus–stands in full relation to seeing Jesus “as he is.” If I may add, our justification–being declared righteous–also stands in full relation to beholding Jesus–beholding His righteous life and sacrificial death on our behalf. God has conditioned salvation–justification, sanctification, and glorification–in full relation to beholding His Son. Is that emphasis not greatly neglected in today’s Christian books and sermons? We have been created and saved to behold Jesus. We have been created and saved to behold Jesus. Click To Tweet

Jan Blonk
Author of “An Unfathomable Gift!“

Filed Under: Books, John Owen Tagged With: Books, John Owen

To See Jesus’ Glory

December 4, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

John Owen’s book, Meditation and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, is based on one single verse (I love the puritans who wrote hundreds of pages on one verse or concept): “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). That’s what Jesus prayed and that prayer will certainly be answered.

“It is only one passage in the verse above named that at present I design an inquiry into. And this is the subject-matter of what the Lord Christ here desires in the behalf of those given him by the Father, — namely, that they may behold his glory.” (Page 16)

     God’s great design–“The End for which God created the World”–is for His people to see the glory of His Son. Let’s image a wealthy king, wanting to show his great love for his only son. He makes him a beautiful garden with all kinds of animals, waterfalls, toys, activities, etc. He then invites the whole country to come and visit the garden (for free, year-round), emphasizing that he has made it specifically and specially for his son. The citizens come and enjoy the father’s love for his son. That’s the reason for creation–the Father’s love for Jesus. We are the eternal beneficiaries.

Jan Blonk
Author of “An Unfathomable Gift!“

 

Filed Under: Books, John Owen Tagged With: Books, John Owen

God is God

December 3, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

It’s always good (and ultimately vital!) to be reminded that God is God … and we’re not:

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: songs

A Present View of Christ’s Glory

December 2, 2015 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

As John Owen finishes his preface to Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, he addresses how a present view of Christ’s glory is vital when we are about to die:

“There is none of all the things we have insisted on — neither the resignation of a departing soul into the hand of God, nor a willingness to lay down this flesh in the dust, nor a readiness to comply with the will of God, as to the times and seasons, or the way and manner of the approach of death — that can be attained unto, without a prospect of that glory that shall give us a new state far more excellent than what we here leave or depart from. This we cannot have, whatever we pretend, unless we have some present views of the glory of Christ. An apprehension of the future manifestation of it in heaven will not relieve us, if here we know not what it is, and wherein it does consist, — if we have not some previous discovery of it in this life. This is that which will make all things easy and pleasant unto us, even death itself, as it is a means to bring us unto its full enjoyment.” (Page 15)

     He highlights how nothing else but a clear understanding and present view of Christ’s glory can truly help us resign our soul “into the hand of God,” and have a “willingness to lay down this flesh in the dust,” fully submitting ourselves to the sovereign will of God as to when and how we are to die. As he finishes with this great need–having a present view of Christ’s glory in the hour of death–we are about to start with the first chapter, helping us to understand and gain such a view. Ultimately we have to believe that the obtaining of Christ’s glory far surpasses everything in this world.

Jan Blonk
Author of “An Unfathomable Gift!“

Filed Under: Books, John Owen Tagged With: Books, John Owen

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • …
  • 41
  • Next Page »

Meeting God at Wits’ End

Have you come to the end of yourself? Are you too weary to continue? Wits’ end is meant for you to have a heart-to-heart encounter with God. He’s all-sufficient and your only hope!

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More
In Christ Alone

In Christ Alone

For a Christian, the greatest truth and reality is to be “in Christ.” Just like a newborn is clueless as to what it means to be alive in this world, even so are we many times unaware of what it means to be “in Christ.”

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon
In Christ Alone

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More

A Christ-Centered Identity

On who or what is your identity based? As a Christian, your identity should be solely based on your unity to Jesus and His great saving work. In this book you’ll see ten different aspects of your Christ-centered identity.

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More

The Glory of Christ

Do you want to discover ultimate meaning and find true fulfillment? It’s only found in The Glory of Christ! His glory is the sole reason for creation, history, and your life.

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More

Battling Sexual Temptations and Sins

Are you wiser than Solomon, stronger than Samson, or love God more than David? All three fell into sexual sin. Wisdom, strength, and even a genuine love for God is no safeguard for such sins. You need to properly arm yourself with God’s Word and Spirit. This book will help you do so.

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More

A Glorious Sacrifice

Your only hope for salvation is found in Jesus’ sacrifice. There’s true peace and joy through His sufferings. There are 40 short devotionals to encourage your soul and boost your faith, highlighting the greatest and most profound event in history.

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More

An Unfathomable Gift!

Do you want to know and experience God’s grace in a deeper, more profound way? Do you want to daily live in the reality of the gospel? If so, this book is for you. There are 40 short devotionals, ready to bless and encourage you.

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More

Joy to the World

Christmas isn’t only the celebration of Jesus’ birth, it’s also the celebration of God’s salvation. Jesus came to redeem us from our sins, reconcile us to the Father, and restore us to the fullest. Christmas is intensely personal. There are 25 devotionals, specifically written for December 1st – December 25th.

Buy Now

Buy This Book Online

amazon

Find A Local Bookstore

,

Read More

Tags

1 Corinthians 1 Peter 2 Corinthians Acts Book Launch Books Christ-Centered Identity Christmas Colossians Deuteronomy Ephesians Exodus Galatians Genesis God's Promises God's Triumphant Mercy grace Hebrew Hebrews hope for the weary Intercession Isaiah It's All about Jesus Jesus' blood John John Owen John Piper Joy to the World manifestation Old Testament Philippians Providence provision Psalms quotes Revelation Romans songs submissions tagline Testimony of Christ the glory of christ The Word Became Flesh thoughts and observations word study

Recent Posts

  • His Name
  • When and Why?
  • God’s Kindness and Severity
  • Jesus’ Pledge
  • For His Sake
  • The Lion of Judah
  • The Lamb of God
  • Full of Truth
  • Full of Grace
  • Jesus’ Sovereign Control

Categories

  • 01 Genesis
  • 02 Exodus
  • 03 Leviticus
  • 04 Numbers
  • 05 Deuteronomy
  • 18 Job
  • 19 Psalms
  • 20 Proberbs
  • 21 Ecclesiastes
  • 23 Isaiah
  • 38 Zechariah
  • 40 Matthew
  • 41 Mark
  • 42 Luke
  • 43 John
  • 44 Acts
  • 45 Romans
  • 46 1 Corinthians
  • 47 2 Corinthians
  • 48 Galatians
  • 49 Ephesians
  • 50 Philippians
  • 51 Colossians
  • 53 2 Thessalonians
  • 57 Philemon
  • 58 Hebrews
  • 60 1 Peter
  • 62 1 John
  • 66 Revelation
  • Book Launch
  • Books
  • Grace
  • It's All about Jesus
  • John Owen
  • John Piper
  • Politics
  • Quotes
  • Songs
  • Submissions
  • The Glory of Christ
  • The Word Became Flesh
  • Thoughts & Observations
  • Uncategorized
  • Word Study

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
February 2019
S M T W T F S
« Jan    
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
2425262728  
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2019 · Christian Copywriting