We cannot save ourselves because this immature, fallen nature within us is always bent on MMI, instead of on God. The Creation trying to be the Creator doesn’t work. Never has, never will. So God sent His one and Only Begotten Son, born of a virgin, to do what none of us could, to be and stay righteous. Now, Paul explains, through Faith in Jesus, we can become a New Person. With our sins forgiven and our sinful state regenerated, we now and forever will live the way God always intended it to be. We will be one with Him and be able to love Him with all we’ve got, and love one another as we love ourselves. God has justified us, made us just as if we never sinned. His Love has entered our heart, and our sinful actions begin to leave as we mature in Christ, working with the Holy Spirit to be transformed into His image.
Jesus became like us so that we may become like Him. Again, the moment we trust that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us, and that Jesus paid all our sin debt and rose again as proof, we are given the Holy Spirit. The Giver of Life comes into our dead heart and He grants us our New Identity. We are no longer sinners who sin, by pushing away from God, disobeying and denying Him as our Creator. But we are now Saints, who, yes still sin, but whose heart no longer desires to do so. As we grow, we learn to say “NO” to sin and “YES” to God’s way of living love. And others see the difference in us, and hopefully, come to Christ too. Can you see why growth is so very important for the believer, and the world? Now that we are saved, we must live the saved life. We cannot just believe. We must mature enough to follow Jesus as well.
So what are the three things this New Identity gives us? First, God makes us righteous. That means we are now in right standing with God. We do not have any more debts except to Live Love. (see Ro 13:8) Second, we are given a New Family. Immediately, we are adopted into God’s Forever Family and will enter Heaven when our time here is done. (see Ro 8:14-17) Lastly, we are given a New Future, which begins here. The Holy Spirit grants us Eternal Life, and also transforms our life here into the Abundant Life. My Friends, this truth should reshape every area of our life.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The Bible
<>< Peace, Diane
