Romans 5:11
And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
To exult in God is the greatest of all human activities. The Westminster Shorter Catechism put it this way: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”
Are you enjoying God?
Paul reminds us that we have not only been saved from the penalty of sin and from the wrath of God, but we have been saved for the praise of our Savior and for the worship of God.
If only Christians today could resound with praise to the true and living God with the same fervency as the pagans did to their goddess, Diana, in the ancient city of Ephesus! The world then would see passionate worship in our lives, hear it from our lips, and behold it on our faces. Our translation from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of light evidences a joy to the watching world. If only we enjoyed God more!
I read a humorous story of an occurrence on a train coming from Princeton. The conductor came down the aisle punching tickets, and held out his hand to the next passenger. Albert Einstein reached into his vest pocket — no ticket. Neither could he find it in the other pocket, nor his briefcase, nor the seat cushion of the bench next to him. The conductor finally offered, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are...we all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket, so don’t worry about it.”
Einstein nodded, but didn’t seem relieved. As the conductor prepared to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the brilliant physicist down on his hands and knees, looking under his seat. Rushing back, the conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein — don’t worry! You don’t need a ticket; it’s not a problem.” Einstein looked at him and said, “Sir, the problem isn’t whether you know who I am — the problem is I can’t remember where I’m going!”
Perhaps if we would remember that our “ticket” of salvation was bought with such a costly price; that we have been reconciled to God; that our final destination is an eternity of joy spent with God — then we would be able to “exult in God” with a passion that the world could neither match nor explain.
So rejoice in God, my friend! Your ticket has already been punched...you’re on your way to your final destination!
Millions of Muslims throughout Iraq, Israel, and Jordan now hear the Gospel in their own language on Wisdom for the Heart! Click on The Forward Movement to read more about this exciting project.1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Romans 6:1–2
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
James 3:8–10
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.