Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 9:10-15.

 

“¹⁰ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  ¹¹ you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  ¹² For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  ¹³ Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, ¹⁴ while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  2 Corinthians 9:10-15.

 

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Today’s Scripture emphasizes that the Reformed Doctrine of grace produces in us many thanksgivings to God.  We are thankful for God for providing the “seed for sowing” which was described in 2 Corinthians 9:8 as “an abundance for every good deed”.  We are thankful that God increases the harvest of our righteousness.  We are thankful that God enriches us “in everything for all liberality”.  We are thankful for God “fully supplying the needs of the saints”.  We are thankful to God “for His indescribable gift!” 

 

God gives us the Holy Spirit.  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  Luke 11:13

                             

God gives us justification.  “The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.”  Romans 5:16

                             

God gives us righteousness.  “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:17

                                

God gives us eternal life.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

 

God even gives life to our mortal bodies that attracts other Christians to us.  “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”  Romans 8:11  Other Christians “yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.”  Verse 14. 

                        

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;  to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.  And who is adequate for these things?”  2 Corinthians 2:14-16.

 

Question 64.  But doth not this doctrine (of grace) make men careless and profane?

Answer.  By no means:  for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.  The Heidelberg Catechism.