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READ:

Titus 3:7

⁷ That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

EXHORTATION:

The originating cause of our justification is not our merit, but God’s grace. We are justified by His grace. In Romans 3:24, Paul makes the assertion that we are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”.

When the Bible says that we are justified by faith, it does not mean that our justification is earned by the merit of our faith. It is a free gift of His grace. By faith, we embrace and appropriate the justification that God has provided through the merit of Christ. In other words, we receive justification freely through the instrumentality of faith. It is God’s gracious work that makes us justified, and nothing of ourselves.

The fact that our justification is all of God’s grace is seen in the following scriptural depictions of its various facets. Justification that is given to us by His grace (Romans 3:24) is provided by Christ’s blood (Romans 5:9) and His resurrection (Romans 4:25). It is also offered to us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11), and we receive it by faith (Romans 3:28; 5:1). According to Galatians 2:17, it is Christ who justifies us. According to Romans 8:33, it is God who justifies us. All these scriptural facts of our justification point to the truth that it is all of our Triune God.

In our verse, it is also declared that all whom God freely justifies are also “heirs according to the hope of eternal life”. That is to say, eternal life is an inheritance that God provides for those whom He justifies. Only those who are justified can be heirs of “the hope of eternal life”.

We are made heirs of eternal life, and hence we have the well-grounded expectation of it. Every believer, being justified by God, has a real hope of eternal life. He is waiting for “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven” (1 Peter 1:4) for him. He waits in anticipation of glorious things to come in eternity. As one commentator said, “even the meanest believer is a great heir”.

Because every believer is a great heir of the hope of eternal life, he should endure all his trials in this life, and set his affections on the wonderful inheritance he has in eternity. Every Christian is a possessor of a guaranteed future, referred to as “the hope of eternal life”.

READ:

Romans 5:9

⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

EXHORTATION:

In this verse, Paul delineates another blessing of our justification. The phrase, “much more then”, at the beginning of the verse introduces an argument from the greater to the lesser: if Christ has already achieved the great work of justifying sinners by shedding His blood, He will certainly perform the comparatively simple task of keeping them safe. If, when we were enemies, He overcame all that was in the way of our salvation, then now that we are His own people, we all the more have reason to expect that He will afford us protection!

As he had said before in verse 1, Paul here presents our justification as an accomplished fact, when he declared us as “being now justified by his blood”. Our justification is now ratified and guaranteed by the blood Christ shed for us on the cross. An emphasis is placed on “his blood”. It is not the blood of bulls and goats, but the blood of Christ the Son of God, that was shed for our justification. The blood of Christ was efficacious to all the purposes for which it was shed, namely our propitiation (Romans 3:25), our redemption (Ephesians 1:7: Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19), our cleansing (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; 7:14), and our justification in particular.

Oh, how concerned our Lord Jesus was regarding our justification! In order to seal our justification, He shed His blood for us in His death on the cross. There is nothing more to be done for our justification. The shedding of His blood has fully and thoroughly accomplished and secured our justification. As Paul said in Colossians 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross”.

Because we are justified by His blood, Paul declares in this verse that “we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Admittedly, because of our sins, we were “children of wrath” and “children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2, 3), upon whom “the wrath of God cometh” (Colossians 3:6). However, Paul here declares that because of Christ’s shed blood, we shall be entirely delivered from God’s wrath even though we deserve it. The justification by the blood of Christ frees us from the wrath of God that was upon us.

Our present justification guarantees our future deliverance from God’s wrath and righteous judgment against the unrepentant and the unsaved.

READ:

Romans 5:1

¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

EXHORTATION:

To “justify” means to “pronounce guiltless”. A person is justified when he is accepted by God as free from the guilt of sin and its deserved punishment, having been imputed with the righteousness of Christ. So, justification consists of remission of sins and imputation of Christ’s righteousness.

But how are we justified? By faith! We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ who died and resurrected to deliver us from our sin and judgment. The apostle Paul has explained earlier in Romans 3:22, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” Paul also said in Romans 4:24-25 of justification that it is “for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Justification of a sinner is grounded in Christ’s death and resurrection. Romans 3:24 declares, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”.

Hence, faith in Christ is said to justify a sinner, because it is the instrument by which we receive Christ’s righteousness and redemption. By faith, His righteousness is conveyed to us. We are not justified by our own works, but by faith in Christ. In Romans 3:28, we read, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” In Galatians 2:16, it is said, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

The justification that we receive by faith causes us to be at peace with God. If we remain in our sin and condemnation, we shall be separated from God. Thus, justification is indispensable to being at peace with God. Justification brings about a changed relationship with God. Being justified by faith, we can have the assurance that God shall never cast us away. He will no more lay on our hearts the intolerable sense of infinite disapproval and displeasure. Every “justified” sinner can say, “Nothing shall now separate me from God; and I will walk with God in peace.”

READ:

James 5:16b

^16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

EXHORTATION:

What is effectual fervent prayer? The words “effectual fervent” are translated from one Greek word (energoumenē) from which we get the English word “energy”. Here it denotes an energetic, operative prayer. We must not be contented with weak prayers.

The energetic, effective prayer comes from “a righteous man”. In the context of our verse, the righteous man is the one who confesses his sins to the one whom he has offended in order that they may be reconciled and pray together. He is a man who seeks to live a life of purity, peace and prayer. It is to such saints, who are dedicated to living a holy, amicable and prayerful life, that effectual prayer belongs.

Weak, ineffectual prayers proceed from spiritually and morally weak people. As Christians, we must seek to possess a life of effective prayers. If we would pursue holiness, fellowship and joint-prayers with God’s people, we will soon be heirs of a powerful life of prayer. If we were to be blessed with a powerful prayer life, we must cease from all sins and offences, and live a devout and dedicated life of Christian fellowship.

The success of prayer is intimately connected with our Christian character. The prayer of the righteous is sincere, and it does not proceed from insincere lips, or a hypocritical heart. The Lord is pleased to hear those who obey His Word sincerely; hence, he will answer their prayers.

Proverbs 15:8 tells us that “the prayer of the upright is his delight.” Proverbs 15:29 says, “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Psalm 34:15-17 remind us that “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” The blind man healed by Christ commented, “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” (John 9:31).

Hence, prayer is more than a mere good spiritual discipline of the righteous; it is their channel for asking and receiving God’s wonderful provisions. Let us therefore pursue a life of purity, peace and prayer that “availeth much”.

READ:

James 5:16a

^16a Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

EXHORTATION:

The situation in view here is that of Christians who suffer from some form of sickness, apparently as a chastisement for their sins. They are advised to confess the offences they have committed to those whom they have injured. The specific reason for such an advice is that the offenders who have fallen sick “may be healed”.

The “confession of sins” taught here, is not to a priest, as the Catholics teach. No mention at all is made here of a priest or even of a minister of religion as the one to whom the confession is to be made. The confession referred to is for “faults” with reference to “one another”. In other words, if one has injured another, he should confess it to the one whom he has hurt. Nothing is mentioned here about confessing faults to those whom we have not injured at all. There is no mention here of absolution (or pardon granted) either by a priest or any other person.

Upon the confession of faults to one another, they are instructed to pray one for another. The offender and the aggrieved party should pray for each other. In other words, confession should not be made perfunctorily, but in a truly devout spirit, that is, in a spirit consistent with prayer. Confessing of sin should not be done merely to get through a duty. It must come from the heart, in such a way that the brother whom he has offended would be moved to pray with him.

It also teaches us that when the offender (being sick) is unable to visit the aggrieved party to offer his sincere apologies but indicates (in some ways) his desire to make confession, the offended person must not haughtily refuse his humble request. The offended person must be humble and patient enough to examine his own heart so as not to deny the request of the repenting offender. Both must get together and pray one for another. Mutual prayer demands mutual love and confidence. Quarrelling and fault-finding will prevent us from praying together. So we should forgive each other freely and from our hearts, because not forgiving hinders prayer (Mark 11:25-26). We must also desire each other’s spiritual and physical good. It is such mutual love and prayer that will be rewarded with the restoration to health of the sick Christian. It is ungodly to keep a cold, haughty distance and perpetuate mutual estrangement ever after.

READ:

Psalm 27:13

¹³ I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

EXHORTATION:

This testimony of David shows how important it is for God’s children to keep their confidence and hope in the LORD’s goodness, even when they are in the midst of hostility. David was in a terrible condition of mind because of his enemies’ concerted efforts to destroy him. So he cried unto God, in the previous verse, saying, “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty” (Psalm 27:12).

When numerous, formidable enemies surrounded him, David’s only assurance was that the Lord would be good to him. He believed that God would uphold him and would deliver him from the devices of the wicked men.

It was David’s faith in the LORD’s goodness that strengthened his heart to endure his intimidating circumstances. His remembrance of God’s goodness inspired courage and awakened fortitude in him. In a time of perplexity and trial, he had confidence in God, and believed that He would uphold his weakened heart and hands. He believed that God would permit him to see the evidence of His goodness and mercy while yet on earth. It granted his troubled soul nerves of steel to press on, and trust in God to conjure up victory out of seeming defeat.

Our hearts can faint if we do not put our trust and hope in the LORD’s goodness. When the heart is dejected, it would refuse to believe that there will be deliverance and blessings. The best cure for such devastating pessimism is our hope in the LORD’s goodness. If we believe, first and foremost, that the Lord is good to all who trust in Him, our souls shall find strength to hold off the assault of doubt and pessimism.

Our Christian life must be full of persistent belief in God’s goodness. In our enterprises for God, in the midst of our inward conflicts and our fears, as well as in times of our victories and prosperity, our only safeguard is to believe in His goodness. Only faith in the LORD’s goodness can excite our hearts to the most courageous of actions of faith. Such confidence in the LORD would arouse the most holy and earnest passions within us. It would help us to be diligent and prevent us from falling short of all that is expected of us as God’s servants.

READ:

1 Peter 5:7

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

EXHORTATION:

Christians have great hope of exaltation at Christ’s coming, which is yet future. What about the humbling ordeals in their life on earth? Well, 1 Peter 5:7 avows that God will abide with them as their support in their humbling circumstances. Early Christians suffered much humiliation and debilitating circumstances. Because of their faith in Christ, they suffered loss of family standing, loss of friends, loss of status and respect, loss of their livelihood and, in extreme cases, loss of even their lives. These were real experiences of Christians of Asia Minor in those days. Certainly, many of them also experienced other disappointing and disheartening situations, such as what you and I face in our lives today.

The Greek word for “care” (mérimna) refers to the feeling of anxiety or dread in view of dangers or misfortune that have occurred. Such feelings would have a debilitating effect on our lives. Therefore, Peter urges us to cast our cares on God. We are not to allow our minds to become selfpitying or self-condemning. Whether they be cares caused by trials or by our sins, let us lay all upon our Lord who, in His mercy and love, cares for us. We must not try and handle them on our own. We must place all our cares, whether big or small, in the Lord’s hand, knowing that He cares for us and will manage all our problems according to His eternal power and wisdom. Each time a new burden arises, turn it over to Him in prayer.

Peter himself had full knowledge that the Lord cared for him. Jesus called Peter to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-20), healed his mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), gave him a big catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11), sharply rebuked and corrected him (Matthew 16:21-25), helped him pay his tribute or tax (Matthew 17:24-27), rescued him from sinking into the sea and rebuked his “little faith” (Matthew 14:22-33), prayed for the protection of his faith which was under attack by Satan, who had desired to sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31-32), healed the ear of Malchus which he had severed (Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11), and also delivered him from prison (Acts 12). Peter had experienced firsthand the goodness of the Lord in such great abundance that he had no qualms in exhorting us to cast all our burdens on the Lord.

The Lord is neither unaware nor unconcerned about what His people are going through. He will support them and help them so that they may serve Him with joy of heart.

READ:

Matthew 6:33

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

EXHORTATION:

Instead of being preoccupied with material provision for our daily lives, we are exhorted here by the Lord Jesus Christ to make God’s kingdom and His righteousness our primary object of attention. We must be deliberate to give preference to spiritual matters over worldly matters. Nothing should be allowed to take precedence over our commitment to seek the spiritual and moral excellence in our lives. Moreover, we must exert great care and diligence to live a consecrated life to God. It must be our chief business on earth. Our hearts, minds and bodies must be wholly dedicated to fulfilling our spiritual duties, both in public and in private.

There are those who seek to be religious for the sake of material gain. They appear to be very prayerful and devout. But let us not forget that the first things in their lives are not what they appear to do, but the motive of their hearts. When piety is expressed for temporal advantage, it is not the kingdom of God that is first sought after, but the material gain. Therefore they seek first the temporal advantages.

Let not our hearts be deceived into making spiritual matters subservient to earthly matters. Let us not seek God and His kingdom so as to become wealthier and healthier. In fact, we must let all our pursuits in life be subservient to our desire for God, His kingdom and His righteousness. Whatever be our engagements in life, we must remember that we have a higher goal. And in whatever relationship we have with men, we should never forget that we have a greater commitment to God.

We are specifically instructed by our Lord to seek first “the kingdom of God”. What is the kingdom of God? It is to have Him reign over our hearts. His will must be our highest concern. Our prayer always ought to be: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). It is also to serve Him in His kingdom. The Lord exercises His authority and will today through His church. So, we must serve the Lord in His church to exalt His greatness. We must give ourselves to the extension of His kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel. We must also live in obedience to His Word to promote His righteousness. Let us also look forward to His coming as King of kings. If these are our chief concerns of life, the Lord promises to take care of all our needs.

READ:

Matthew 6:31

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

EXHORTATION:

Often we are very concerned about what we shall eat, drink or clothe ourselves with. Such concerns about our mundane provisions have seldom been thought of as an evil matter. But our Lord Jesus reproves us for being anxious about the provision of even basic necessities. If the Lord prohibits anxiety about gaining such essential things for our life, how much more condemnable would be our craving for luxuries of life. Uneasiness and displeasure created by an inordinate desire for material extravagance would surely be severely condemned by our Lord.

God’s children should live in quiet dependence and confidence in Him. This quiet dependence on God translates into our happiness, usefulness, strength and security. There are great spiritual advantages in not being fretful over our daily provisions but trusting God for them. When we depend on Him for our daily supplies, we will find ourselves strengthened and growing in faith. We will also experience greater confidence and courage to attempt great things which God would have us to undertake.

There is no advantage in excessive carefulness. Worrying not only destroys our happiness, but also proves us to be without faith and confidence in the goodness of our Lord. It will also lead us to many evils, such as bitterness, murmuring, covetousness, jealousy, envy and theft. Anxiety does us harm. It can numb our minds from conducting ourselves wisely, and push us into hurtful imaginations, speech and behaviour.

Christians ought to rely on God’s Fatherly care. They must exercise confidence in God and expect that He will bestow upon them whatever is necessary for them. If they do not constantly teach their hearts to look to God for help and provisions, they will fall into despair and gloom.

Brethren, believe in God’s promises and dispel your anxiety. If you truly believe in the goodness and faithfulness of God, you will not be tormented by unnecessary anxiety. It is incongruent to say that you believe in God and His promises, and yet worry whether He would grant you what He promises. The Lord forbids all His people from being anxious. Instead, He wants you to trust Him to protect you and provide for you. Remind yourself of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and stay happy in Him. Why worry when you can trust and pray to an ever-benevolent God?

READ:

Psalms 34:4

² I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

EXHORTATION:

The title of Psalm 34 indicates that it is “A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.” That particular incident is described in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. Being pursued by a very jealous and angry King Saul, David knew his life was in danger and ran away to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. (By the way, Achish is referred to as Abimelech in this psalm’s title as Philistine kings were commonly known by that designation.) Despite trying to conceal his identity, David was soon recognised by Abimelech and his people, who said, “did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?” (1 Samuel 21:11). David was apprehensive that he might be betrayed and be delivered up by Abimelech to Saul, so he resorted to pretending to be mad, supposing that this would win pity and protection from Abimelech. However, Abimelech was unwilling to provide asylum to a madman; David soon left him, and sought refuge in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 21:15; 22:1). In this psalm, David expresses thanksgiving and praise to God for being his help and deliverer. So he said, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

This fact tells us that David depended wholly on the LORD in his trouble. His heart was obviously ill at ease in those days, constantly devising ways of escape from his trouble. But he had not forgotten to seek the LORD, whom he trusted. Though his strategies were imperfect, he looked to the LORD in his difficulty. He earnestly and diligently sought the LORD in quiet, private prayers for divine protection and strengthening. Half the trouble is gone when God’s servant seeks Him in his troubles. In prayer, he can look to God for guidance, and submit his every thought and device to find the resolve to wade through all the overwhelming problems.

David here testifies that “he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” His prayers had helped to silence his fears, enabling him to leave his case with the LORD and wait for His deliverance with great composure. David was a great man of endurance and fortitude because he was a man of prayer. Prayer helps us to calm our frightened, anxious souls. The more we dwell on our troubles, the more fearful we become. But if we turn to and commune with God in our prayers, He blesses with His presence and we shall find freedom from the grip of fear. The presence of God is the best remedy to our disquietude and fear.