45 Romans Archives - The Glory of Christ

In Christ Alone – Right Pride

October 25, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

Was the apostle Paul prideful? Is there such a thing as rightful pride? Should we follow his example?

In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.

Romans 15:17

Sometimes Bible translations seem to greatly differ. For example, in the New King James Version today’s verse reads: “Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertains to God.” That seems quite different from having “reason to be proud of my work for God.” Let’s consider both translations and see if they truly differ.

The New King James Version is rather plain: our boast can only be in Jesus for the things that pertain to God. In other words: everything that pertains to God—true service to Him—can only come through Jesus Christ. That’s why our boast can only be in Him.

That echoes Jesus’ words: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). All spiritual life, work, and fruitfulness have to flow from the Vine—from Jesus.

The English Standard Version states the same: “In Christ Jesus, then . . .” Yes, Paus wasn’t passive in His work for Christ. Actually, to the Corinthians he wrote: “I worked harder than any of them.” However, he also stated the reason for that: “Though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Cor. 15:10). That’s simply another way of saying: “In Christ Jesus, then . . .” Paul could genuinely be “proud of my work for God” because He attributed it to the Vine—being in Christ Jesus.

When we look at Bible verses, it’s always important to look at the context. In the following verse Paul wrote: “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed” (Rom. 15:18). The “for” connects it to the previous one, giving the cause.

He works and we work, being fellow workers with Him. We can genuinely point to the fruit of the Vine—our work for Him—and be delighted in it. That pride is a testimony to the excellence and grace of the Vine. Isn’t that also the gospel, sharing in what He has accomplished?

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

P.S. How do you properly prepare for the greatest birth ever? Click here to find out more.

In Christ Alone – One Body

October 24, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

How do you see and relate to other believers, especially those of a different denomination or theological persuasion? As long as they are true believers in Christ, they are first and foremost your brother and sister and you share “one body.” Jesus saved them and He equates your treatment of His children to your treatment of Him.

So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 12:5

In a world of racial injustice and ethnic hatred, the church is to shine forth God’s powerful answer to these moral inequalities. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t seek the answer with God, the Maker of all races and ethnic groups. Furthermore, the church doesn’t always portray God’s answer as it should.

Jesus’ death on the cross secured a unified body of believers that includes all races and ethnicities. Paul wrote to the Galatians: “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither salve nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).

Obviously, Jesus didn’t obliterate these distinctions—there are still males and females. However, He united everyone in such a way that there’s no ethnic, social, or gender preeminence in salvation. We’re “one body in Christ.” No one can claim an inherent right or privilege when it comes to salvation. We’re all on equal ground—sinners saved by His grace. The great testimony of the church is racial and ethnic harmony amidst hatred and enmity.

We need to deeply realize that we’re “individually members one of another,” pursuing unity and peace: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the body of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).

Paul then goes on to write: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:4-6). Since there’s no salvation apart from being “in Christ,” we’re to fully recognize that all believers form one body in Him—a God ordained and God-established unity.

While all believers will fully live in harmony in glory, let’s also pursue that on earth, for Christ’s sake: “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth’” (Rev. 5:9-10).

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

P.S. right now you can purchase three of my books for only $0.99 each. Click here to find out more!

In Christ Alone – No Condemnation

September 10, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

After having taken a short break, we’re continuing with our book launch of “In Christ Alone.” The subtitle is not just a nice tagline, it’s vitally needed for every Christian: “What Every Christian Needs to Know More Deeply and Experience More Profoundly.” The essence and totality of our salvation is about being “in Christ.”

Today we’ve one of the most liberating truths possible. When we’re “in Christ Jesus,” there’s absolutely no condemnation at all. “In Him” we’re fully declared righteous!

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

How different would our lives be if we deeply and constantly lived in the reality of “no condemnation”? How many times are we hindered and even paralyzed in our Christian walk by such a gloomy sense? Even when there aren’t presumptuous sins, we can easily have this dark cloud following us, making us feel condemned.

It’s not surprising that our adversary is known as “the accuser of our brothers” (Rev. 12:10). There’s nothing Satan seems to take more delight in then continually accusing us of how far we still fall short and how sinful we are. While it’s true that we still fall very short and we’ve way more sins than we realize, there’s a far greater truth that overcomes it all—the gospel.

Whether we’re a new believer or have been for many decades, the gospel is always relevant. Actually, we’re commanded to hold fast to it: “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the world I preached to you—unless you believed in vain” (1 Cor. 15:1-2). Paul then stated Jesus’ death and resurrection as the gospel.

For a believer in Jesus, there’s absolutely no condemnation. Elsewhere Paul wrote: “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 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” (Rom. 8:33-34). When we’re “in Christ Jesus,” we’ve been united to His righteous life and sacrificial death. That’s why it’s impossible to have any charge against us. It’s the mystery and glory of the gospel.

Yes, we still sin, even till our last breath, but Jesus died for them and God doesn’t hold them against us: “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities” (Ps. 103:10). That’s what we have to hold fast to, day by day. While we still may act ungodly at times, God’s the One “who justifies the ungodly” (Rom. 4:5)—if He justifies us, who can condemn us?

When we realize our sin, let’s remind ourselves, like Paul reminded the Corinthian believers, that Jesus died for all our sins and that, “in Christ Jesus,” we’re “holy and blameless before him” (Eph. 1:4). Would that constant realization not drastically change our lives?

Click here for my devotional books

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

A Glorious Sacrifice – All Things!

July 28, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

Today we have one of the greatest and most gracious verses of the Bible. If we would be able to always live in the truth of this verse, our lives would be radically different. This post is part of “A Glorious Sacrifice,” which is available at Amazon to purchase or give as a gift: www.amazon.com/author/janblonk

At the end of August I will start a new book launch of my upcoming book: “Battling Sexual Temptations and Sins.” There will be 40 devotionals on arming ourselves with God’s Word and Spirit. You can check it out here: www.thegloryofchrist.com/overcoming

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?

Romans 8:32

This is one of the greatest verses in the Bible. It has no beginning and knows no end. It’s full of God—infinite, everlasting, and immeasurable. It abounds with His love, grace, and mercy. It states what God has done and what He, as a result, will do. Man is nowhere to be found, except as the blessed beneficiary. It poses itself as a question, but the answer is unmistakably clear.

Here are wells of salvation that never run dry or even slightly diminish. Any discouragement or doubt is easily swallowed up in this wave of matchless certainty. This verse expresses the totality of the gospel. It also sums up the Bible with all its commandments, promises, and blessings. Here we have the summary and essence of the Scriptures. Unless we read the Bible through the lens of this verse, we are sure to make a wrong interpretation and application. There are three parts: what God has done, what He, as a result, will certainly do and give, and how both are based on absolute grace.

God gave up His Son for us. He didn’t spare Him from any difficulty, struggle, sorrow, or pain. He gave Him over to unimaginable suffering and death. He did so for our temporal and eternal wellbeing. If we had been good and righteous, that might have made some sense, as Paul stated: “Though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die.” That’s not the case! He continued: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:7-8). When we were still at enmity with God, having no desire for Him, He “gave him up for us all.”

Since He did the greater—the death of His Son—will He not also do the lesser—“graciously give us all things?” The answer is a perpetual yes! The question then is: what are “all things” referring to? It refers to all the commandments—that we will live accordingly as God will write them on our hearts and put them in our minds—all the blessings, all the favor, all the promises, and everything good and pleasing in His sight throughout eternal ages. That’s all freely given to us “in Christ”!

Lastly, Paul made sure that we don’t lose sight of the root and fruit of this amazing love. It’s all by grace and grace alone! There is no deserving, earning, or entitlement, but only God’s grace and His giving. That’s good news!

If you’ve been blessed by this book launch, I greatly appreciate an honest book review, you can click right here

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
Author of “A Glorious Sacrifice“

A Glorious Sacrifice – Propitiation

July 18, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

Romans 3:25

In order not to violate Amazon’s “Terms of Service,” the content of this post has been removed. The post is now part of A Glorious Sacrifice – Seeing and Savoring God’s Matchless Love. Click this link to find out more: www.amazon.com/author/janblonk

A Glorious Sacrifice contains 40 short devotionals on God’s infinite love, fully expressed in the death of His Son. Each devotional takes only 3 minutes and will be a great blessing and encouragement to your faith. Jesus said we’re to daily “feed on His flesh” and “drink His blood.” This book will help you do so! www.amazon.com/author/janblonk

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