The irony of the theology of meritorious suffering is that it tends to produce the very opposite effect from its original intention. What began as a call to humble willingness to suffer became an insidious tool for self-righteousness. Perhaps the most difficult task for us to perform is to rely on God's grace and God's grace alone for our salvation. It is difficult for our pride to rest on grace. Grace is for other people—for beggars. We don't want to live by a heavenly welfare system. We want to earn our own way and atone for our own sins. We like to think that we will go to heaven because we deserve to be there.
All the suffering I could possibly endure could not earn me a place in heaven. Nor can I merit the merit of Christ through suffering. I am altogether an unprofitable servant who must rely on someone else's merit to be saved.
With Paul we can rejoice in our sufferings if they enhance the glory of Christ. We can rejoice in our persecutions and look forward to the promised blessing of Christ. But the blessing Christ promised, the blessing of great reward, is a reward of grace. The blessing is promised even though it is not earned.
Augustine said it this way: "Our rewards in heaven are a result of God's crowning His own gifts. Sola gratia."
Coram Deo: Living in the Presence of God
Give thanks to God for your heavenly rewards, which are the result of God's crowning His own gifts.
For Further Study
Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
The mission, passion and purpose of Ligonier Ministries and Dr. R.C. Sproul is to help people grow in their knowledge of God and His holiness. For more information, please visit www.ligonier.org or call them at 800-435-4343.© R.C. Sproul. All rights reserved.
5 comments:
Grace is a hard thing to comprehend. I often forget how much grace has been sent my way. I also tend to get caught up in the rat race and forget about what is truly important. "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Amen,
cas
CAS, I also lose my grip on the meaning of Grace until I need it from someone else like my wife or kids...
This part of the verse in the devotion struck me...
Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
I need to make sure I'm getting plugged in to the Spirit to take advantage of being renewed every day.
Read it but the brain's dead this morning.
i think the concept of Grace makes sense to me, but i dont think i let the true meaning of Grace fully take hold. so i can comprehend it, but i dont know that i let its true impact resonate through me. it's one of those things that i dont constantly think about. funny, as i write this, maybe i comprehend Grace less than i thought i did.
well regardless, i like the promise that the flesh is temporary and we are given something eternal by God. it's this eternal gift that i need to celebrate more often and find constant hope in.
Iceman, thanks for your honesty
TRD, you crack me up. I love how you think in writing!!
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