Think Spot

Monday Think Spot7 April 2014

Blessings of the Christian

G’day! Welcome to Partakers Monday Think Spot!

In Romans 5:1-11, Paul elucidates 8 blessings for those who would call themselves Christian – those who have taken up God’s free offer of salvation and are justified by faith in and through Jesus Christ alone!

Here are those 8 blessings:

1. We have peace with God.
2. We have access into God’s grace.
3. We have a glorious hope.
4. We develop Godly character.
5. We have God's love.
6. We have the God the Holy Spirit living within us.
7. We have salvation from God’s future wrath.
8. We have reconciliation with God!

What are we to do with these blessings?

We can remember them as we engage in spiritual warfare & overcoming temptation by our old nature, by the world and by satan. When we are faced with these, we remember the blessings we have because we are in a relationship with God. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, despite what the world says, despite what satan whispers to us. We, if we are Christians, are fully justified by Almighty God.

We are to take great joy in our God! That doesn’t mean we go around with a big silly grin on our faces at all times! Joy is that inner confidence of knowing that you are God’s treasured possession and He is yours. When somebody we know who is a Christian is not feeling the joy, we as a body are to help encourage and build up that person. Not to stomp on them as we often do. The strongest amongst us is to help the weakest amongst us. That is an act of worship.

As God’s people here, we should be making a positive impact for God in our communities. People should be able to see why we Christians are different and want to join us. Being assured of God’s love should inspire us to reflect that love to all those we come into contact with, exhibiting our transformed character before a watching world. Being assured of God’s love for us should spur us on to tell others about this wonder! When was the last time you told somebody?

Here in Romans 5, Paul uses the words “we”, “our” and “us”, and not the words “I” or “you”. Whereas in the earlier chapters he has mixed them up! This reflects the unity of the church! Each person makes an individual commitment to God but then is drawn into the wider group of all Christians! Each person is loved by God, and if you have taken up that salvation offer from God, then you are in a relationship with other people who have done likewise. Whether you want to be or not! Those outside the church are watching to see how we act towards each other. Do they see Christians being over generous, reflecting an abundantly generous God. A God who gave all He had to those who were undeserving? Or do we exhibit our love only to those whom we respect esteem and think deserve our generosity, hiding under the banner of “good stewardship”? When God loves, He gives generously to those who are undeserving... Jesus always had time for the outcast of his society. That is grace...

When we as Christians give anything - money, possessions, wisdom, time - we are to emulate that love - giving generously even to those who we think are undeserving. And we all neglect to give to people who we think don't deserve it! How is your giving and loving? What do you need to change? As a Christian you are blessed! When undergoing hard times, reflect on those 8 blessings from Romans 5 and remember who you are because of Jesus Christ! Go into this week knowing who you are in God because of Jesus Christ and the work He has completed for you.

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