Certitude With Gratitude

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5: 1-5)

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Faith is content with the certainty that, although many helps in this present life may fail us, God never will.

Faith’s chief assurance lies in the expectancy of life to come, which God’s word has placed beyond all uncertainty for us. Whatever disasters and misery may befall those who the Lord has forever received in his love, his goodness alone will constitute their complete happiness.

Therefore, in attempting to explain the sum of all blessedness, we set down the grace of God as the source from which all good things come to us. This is a theme easily traced throughout scripture, which always recalls us to God’s love whenever it speaks not only of salvation but of any good that we may enjoy.

That is why David testifies that God’s goodness, when felt by the believing heart, is sweeter and better than life itself. (Psa. 63:3)

What is God’s grace?

Receiving more than I know I deserve.

What is God’s mercy?

Receiving less than I know I deserve.

What is God’s glory?

All of his unbridled goodness in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. ^{(Luke 6:38)}