GlobalChristians

Eternity 28 - The Riches Of His Glory

(Romans 2:4 NASB) Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
(Romans 9:23 NASB) And He did so in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
(Ephesians 1:7 NASB) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
(Ephesians 2:7 NASB) in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
(Ephesians 3:16 NASB) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;

The riches of God are not found in the bank or in the treasure troves of Egypt. According to the verses above the riches of His grace are found in His kindness, forbearance, forgiveness, and all the many mercies of God.

The true wealth of any life is in the relationships we have - in our wife or husband, our children and our dear friends. These enrich us and make our life deep, worthy and beautiful.

Poor indeed is the stingy miser who is hated by all but who has accumulated a fortune! Such a life brings only contempt and shame. Wealthy indeed is the holy man who is deeply loved by all who he has touched.

But the greatest of all riches is our relationship with God, the owner and Creator of the Universe. His love of us is a great treasure. His appreciation of our deeds will thrill our soul, His pleasure in who we are will make us forever glad.

And God will be pleased with us for He has chosen to save us and redeem us precisely for that end - that He might delight in us and display us as astonishing, glorious sons of God and works of grace. (Romans 8:18-31, Ephesians 2:4-10).

This delight of God in us, this kindness of God towards us is what brings strength to our inner man and to our life. If we think God hates us or is constantly criticizing us we will be weak and anxious, perpetually frightened Christians afraid of the next outburst of divine wrath.

But remember this when we read "and they were seeking to accuse Him" - that refers to the mortal enemies of Jesus, the very enemies of the gospel. It is not Christ who behaves like that. It is the Devil, not Jesus who "seeks to accuse".

Jesus NEVER seeks to accuse people, and when He was given a great opportunity with the woman caught in adultery - He declined. Jesus is without contempt, without accusation, and does not seek to condemn. He Himself said "I have not come into the world to condemn the world , but to save the world" (John 12:47).

It is the Law that has the ministry of condemnation, but grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. Remember this - Jesus is kind and does not condemn.
(Romans 8:1 NASB) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Not only does Jesus not condemn us - He prevents any other from doing so:
(Romans 8:32-34 NASB) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? {33} Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; {34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

This is the riches of his grace - the lavish justifying love of God, His abundant kindness and patience towards you, and the deep delight of the heart of God in His sons and daughters. It is this that will make your heart and life and soul bold and strong and brave.

You will feel privileged and rich because God loves you with such a love and admits you to the highest and holiest of company in Heaven. Which is why Paul prays: "(Ephesians 3:16 NASB) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;"

You will be strengthened with power in the inner man when you dip into these "riches of his glory". When you realize that God is kind to you, patient with you, will never condemn you and loves you utterly to the end of time and that His plans for you include giving you all things, an indestructible life, an immortal body and a place in His kingdom over even that of the angels (1 Corinthians 6:2,3).

Your knees will cease knocking, your fear will flee and you will cry "If God is for me what can man do to me?" when you grasp the riches of His glory and believe.

Blessings,

John Edmiston (johned@aibi.ph)