Good Friday and Faster

In the last part of Romans 8 we may listen to the song of triumph of God's children. In it they sing of that which they have received of God through and in Christ.

Only listen: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” “God for us” is the conclusion the apostle has reached from that which preceded in his epistle, in which he has explained the salvation of guilty and lost sinners only through the work and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. This all comes forth from the electing good pleasure of God. In verses 28 to 30 the chain of salvation is mentioned. God has shown it to be for His people: “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Now no one is able to lay anything to the charge of God's elect. If God through Christ's atoning suffering and dying has delivered them from sin and death, who will then be able to bring the curse and punishment over them? Although there is still much in them which is condemnable, due to the sin that yet, against their will, remains in them, they do not come into condemnation. It is because all their sins were laid by God upon His own Son and were taken over, paid for, and atoned for by Christ.

“It is Christ that died.” Good Friday proclaims this to us time and again: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” But then there also follows: “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9).

Christ not only died for His people, but He also lives for their good. This we understand from “Yea rather, that is risen again.” He was raised by the holy Judge as evidence that payment had been made for all their sins. He was raised by the Father in order with Him freely to give His children all things.

If Christ had remained in death, a resurrection of dead sinners from the dead would never be possible. However, in the resurrection not only was death swallowed up in victory, but the resurrected One also grants eternal life. Who are those blessed ones? Who does the apostle intend by the word “us”? In verse 1 it is already clearly explained. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” It is for them only, but then also for all of them. We can only be in Christ through a true faith, which unites with Him, and gives a part in Him and His benefits. Is that faith also wrought in your hearts, young friends? Else there can be for us no Good Friday and Easter!

How may you know that? Also in this the apostle does not leave us in doubt! It is evident from the thoughts of our minds and from our walk. For they that are after the flesh, in which the natural corruption still has full power, do mind the things of the flesh. That is the sin, the enmity against God, and that which flatters and pleases the flesh. But they that are after the Spirit, who are regenerated by the Spirit of God, do mind the things of the Spirit. Their thoughts are busy with spiritual things. They have an aversion to sin and a sorrow after God, which causes them to desire to live for Him alone.

Is there something of this in your heart, of that sorrow about yourself, and of a desire for God, who, because of your sins, is against you? Does the question live in your heart: How can it ever again become right between God and my heart?

If on our side it becomes impossible, God's work becomes precious, who spared not His own Son. Only Christ's death gives satisfaction, and the living Lord brings fulfillment into your heart. Seek it at the throne of grace, so that Good Friday and Easter may take place in your life.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen