Lord’s Day, Vol. 10 No. 41
The New Man (4)
The new birth brings forth the new man – a spiritual man, living on a new plane touching on the divine. He is (1) a man of faith, (2) a man of holiness, (3) a man in sweet communion with God, (4) a man hungering after righteousness, (5) a man of understanding, (6) the new man’s blessing includes (a) peace with God, (b) access to God’s favour, (c) hope of the glory of God, (d) glory in tribulation.
The believer is able to glory in tribulation, to not be afraid of trials and not buckle under its pressure because of God’s assured help for His children.
Tribulation Produces Steadfast Endurance
Romans 5:3b (KJV) … knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
In the Christian’s life, we are to expect tribulation. Troubles, sufferings, tears, affliction and distress are a part of this earthly life. We cannot avoid it. It is allowed by God in His sovereign will to mould us that it may bring forth godly virtues.
One of the fruits of tribulation is that it produces this spiritual fruit called patience. Tribulation builds Christian character. We do not welcome tribulation, humanly speaking. As we think of the emotional, mental, and physical suffering that it brings, often we shudder. We look at the life of those who went through tribulation, we acknowledge it is tough going.
The word “patience” describes bearing up under, patience, and endurance as to things or circumstances that seemed overbearing. It can mean a prolonged sickness, having to care for a loved one who is not well, loss of job, and harsh working conditions. While we are, under those circumstances, we struggle.
The Christian virtue of patience describes perseverance, of steadfast endurance. Not giving up in adversity. The book of Psalms is the Bible’s prayer book. It describes the many struggles of the psalmist through the vicissitudes of life. How he overcame and had victory through these prolonged hours of tribulation is a meaningful study. The overarching lesson is to trust God though there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. This is a chorus for your encouragement.
Only Jesus, Only Jesus
Only Jesus, only Jesus
Only He can satisfy
All my burdens are turned to blessings
When I know my Lord is nigh.
If you are going through some affliction, may this chorus encourage your heart to keep trusting the Lord!
God’s Love Shed Abroad In Our Hearts
Romans 5:5 (KJV) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The believer who trusted in the faithfulness and goodness of God and experiences it has experiential knowledge of God. He gains confidence and hope in God. He knows God does not disappoint. He will trust God and call upon Him, making it a life-long habit. He moves from a maturing to a matured faith. We can always hope in God all the days of our life and experienced His care and protection.
The fifth blessing is the gift of God’s love. Apostle Paul tells us the reason for our hope in God is because of God’s unfailing love. This pure love is first to shed abroad (being poured out) in the heart of every believer by the Holy Spirit at conversion. This “love” is like an injection given that goes directly to the bloodstream producing its effect. We have to acknowledge the divine nature of this love and the divine source of this love. This love enables us to experience the warmth of God’s presence and enables us to share it with others unconditionally and sacrificially. God’s love manifested in the believer’s life is like a well of water flowing out into everlasting life.
The woman at the well in Samaria experienced it. She was so happy. She was seeking true love but did not find it in her relationship with “five husbands” (John 4:17).
John 4:39-42 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
She witnessed to others in Samaria and they believed. Jesus witnessed to yet others and more came to trust Christ, the Saviour of the world.
(f) Assurance of God’s Preservation
Romans 5:10 (KJV) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
The sixth blessing of being a child of God is God’s preservation in this present life and forevermore (v10b). After Christ’s resurrection from the dead, He appeared to His disciples for 40 days before He ascended to heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father. In heaven, Christ function as an Intercessor.
Hebrews 1:3 …when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 7:24-25 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
By the intercessory prayer of Christ, we are kept forevermore. This is the privilege of God’s child. How does our Lord Jesus Christ carry on this work? How shall we comprehend and grasp what is the meaning of Christ’s intercession?
Consider Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
It tells us of the nature of that continual intercession which Christ ever lives to make on behalf of His believing people. In ancient Israel, the Levitical priests had to succeed one another because they kept dying, as one generation comes, another goes, and time and tide wait for no man. But Jesus Christ needs no successor because He will not die.
The fact that Christ will not die and need replacement by another priest means that He can see His work of delivering His people through to the end. He will not fail us. He will save us to the uttermost – His grace is sufficient. Life is tough. We are called to go through many difficulties in this life journey to heaven. Despite the difficulties, He will see you through. Our trials and temptations will not separate us from our eternal inheritance since Jesus Christ can continue to support us by providing mercy and grace all the way to our ultimate reward. What a comfort and assurance it is to realise that Jesus Christ Himself is praying for us constantly.
(g) Finding True Joy in God
Romans 5:11 (KJV) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
The seventh blessing of being a child of God is joy in God. It describes an attitude of confidence in God, to rejoice in, glory in, boast in the stability of life with God. The psalmist testified of this joy in God as he made God the centre of his devotion:
Psalm 16:5-11 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Life with God dispels fear and anxiety. We can trust in His care, provision and protection. When we are unable to rejoice in our circumstances, we can rejoice in the Lord under those circumstances. We can rest in His love and meditate upon His goodness. It brings strength to our soul. This joy is not the “fleshly happiness” of the world – going to parties, eating a good meal, buying a new car, striving for a promotion, getting a pay increase. Notice this world that we live in goes for entertainment and thought that is “joy”. To be entertained for 2 hours in a comedy in the movies, we thought, that is “joy”. Biblical joy is not the entertainment kind of happiness. People who do not have true joy go for entertainment, they look for a substitute. It is not a lasting substitute. Even the church today has caught the entertainment bug. Worship services are transformed into mega entertainment shows. Thank God for giving us true joy in God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(7) A New Man Is Grateful
Romans 5:7-8 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The sacrifice of Christ on the cross surpassed all human reasoning and leads us to understand the truth that God loves us. For a man to sacrifice himself to save good men and righteous men is understandable. But for Christ to sacrifice Himself for criminals like the thief that was hung on the cross beside Him is difficult to comprehend. He deserved to be punished for the crime that he committed (Luke 23:32-33; 39-43).
And yet, the grace of God allows the worst criminal to be saved. It demonstrates that the gospel is not of this world but is from the heavenly realm. God gives His approval through His enduring love to save even the worst of sinners demonstrating the sacred nature of God’s love. It bewilders the human mind and leads the believer to bow in humble worship and adoration to our great God. To God be the glory. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee