REFLECTIONS

Romans 8:18

⁸ 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.

There is a place in the Christian’s life for divine accounting.  In the text for today, Paul uses a word comparing and drawing a reasonable or a true conclusion.  In the King James Version “consider” is translated “reckon”.  In the NASB it is “consider”.  It is “count, reckon, calculate, credit, evaluate, and even think on or reflect upon.”  But principally it points to an accounting process.  It is this thought.  “When all the accounting is done and the sums are finished, this is what they equal.”  Any suffering that I experience is nowhere to even be compared to the future glory I can expect.”  That should always be the result of a Christian’s reflections.

There is a practical way to approach our considerations of life as a whole.  Three questions will help to explain my intent in Spiritual inspection.

I.                    What is your love in this life?  We need not be in doubt what the answer is to be.

a.      I Corinthians 16:22 NASB, ²² If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.

The curse of God is extended to all who do not love the Savior.  This is no less the wrath of God in its eternal application.  This love for the Savior which he has not seen is the unique ability of those Kingdom citizens born into this privilege.

I Peter 1:8 NKJV ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

II.                  What is your rule of life?  Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV  ¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

No one’s life is without some guiding principle.  The Psalmist in 1:2 describes this in the believer, “His delight is in the law of the Lord.”  This for us in this day has faint resemblance to what is taught in Christian churches.  If the law is taught at all it is a necessary evil.

The law as only a duty is the theme with which we are familiar.  We are to “delight” in the law and have the assurance that it is not “burdensome”.  ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. I John 5:3.  I say this without equivocation, it should be the confession of every believer as it was of the Old Testament saint, “O how I love your law, it is my meditation all the day”, Psalm 119:97.

III.             What is the end you look for?  So often at funerals II Timothy 4:7-8 is quoted and applied to the life of a diligent saint.  It is not my purpose to criticize this.  But the great reward is in 4:7. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  This is a commendable motive for us.  We should live our lives to accomplish this great end.

1.      “Fight the good fight”

2.      “Finish the course”

3.       “Keep the faith”

4.      “Love his appearing”

Revelation 22:20-21 KJV  ²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

And Amen!!