SOMETHING BETTER!

"God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:40).

Devotion 10 of 10

THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION

Believers do not always live in a manner befitting of the New Covenant. This condition, however, is not owing to any deficiency in the covenant, or in the salvation that is "in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10). After solemnly warning lethargic disciples of the eternal jeopardy they were facing, the Spirit spoke of the advantages they had. "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak" (Heb 6:9). It is "better" to grow in grace than to revert back to the world. It is "better" to believe to the saving of your soul than draw back to perdition. That betterment makes no provision for any other posture or thrust of life.

Salvation has accompaniments that give its recipients the advantage! There is access to the throne of all grace (Heb 4:16), and the privilege of obtaining the forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9). We can be "filled with all joy and peace in believing" (Rom 15:13), and be "strengthened with all might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph 3:16). "All things pertaining to life and godliness" have been given to us (2 Pet 1:3). The "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22ff) is for every child of God, as well as the multiplication of "grace and peace" (2 Pet 1:2). These, and a multitude of other advantages, are "things that accompany salvation." They enable us to maintain spiritual stability, recover from set backs, and grow up into Christ in all things. In Christ Jesus, we live in a realm of "better things!"

Conclusion

All believers have reason to be optimistic and cheerful in their progress to glory. Everything we have received in Christ is "better." All things pertaining to life and godliness are conducive to the development of holiness and the shunning of ungodliness. They make for joy and peace, and bring confidence and assurance to the heart. Every person in Christ Jesus has access to "better things." They can possess and enjoy as many of these "things" as their faith allows--and there is no limit.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I praise Your name for the excellence of Your great salvation. In the name of Your Son, I seek for grace to appropriate these better things in a full measure.

-- TOMORROW: New Series, OUR HOUSE FROM HEAVEN, Introduction --