Life in Christ (The Science of Salvation)
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
What does the death of Christ do for us? – Reconciles us to God.
So, Christ died for what reason?
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Note: It is the death of Christ, the just for the unjust, that brings us to God.
How does the death of Christ do this?
Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
By showing us that God loves us, that He is willing to do anything for us, and shows us our sinfulness in hating His ways and righteousness – all this to show us How good a Father God is, and therefore bring us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
What then keeps us there? It is the life of Christ. We are saved by His life the Apostle tells us that these are very important words: “Being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10).
Why was the life of Christ given?
John 3:16 God so loved the world, that he gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
So, the having of everlasting life is inextricably linked to the giving of the only begotten Son of God.
Since we are saved by His life, and Christ gave His life, then Christ gave His life that we might have life.
So, where is that life? And where can we get it?
John 1:4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
So, this life that was in Him, this life that was the light of men, this life that is available to whosoever believeth in Him, this is the life that saves us.
Christ has this life, and He gives this life to as many as will(choose) to accept it.
How do we know that?
John 17:2 As thou [God the Father] hast given him [Christ] power [exousia - authority] over all flesh, that he [Christ] should give eternal life to as many as thou [God the Father] hast given him [Christ].
So, this life is given to those who the Father has given to His Son. He shows us this power by His miracles, particularly His miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. He proves to us that He is always connected to His Father, that we might believe in their connection and that we will always be connected with Our Father in Heaven if Christ is in us.
John 11:25-27, 39-43
Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
She saith unto him, “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”
…
Jesus said, “Take ye away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, “Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.”
Jesus saith unto her, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”
How did Christ get that life?
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
So, this life that Christ has in Himself, he received from His Father. And,
What kind of life is this?
1Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.
So, speaking here of original source, Paul tells us that God only has immortality and Christ Himself said in (John 5:26) as we have just read, that God the Father gave this immortality that God alone has in Himself, to His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the life that Christ has in Himself. (See this booklet: 'My Beloved')
Can we see the Divine Pattern here?
So then, Christ has this life, and He has it in Himself, given to Him by His Father.
When was He given this life?
Back in eternity, John 8:22 tells us He “proceeded and came forth from God”, and a number of other places. When He was begotten He was given all things and made High priest.
Hebrews 5:4-5 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, “Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee”.
He has this immortality, this eternal life… and in His role as High priest of the whole universe He is to give it to all created beings, for in Him they consist (Colossians 1:15). He is willing and longing to give it to us, and we are on probation now until we decide to accept or reject that life.
How is this immortality, this eternal life, defined?
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. (See this booklet - 'The Wisdom of God')
What is life eternal?
It is knowing the only true God and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
The word “know” is Strongs G 1097 – ginosko. It is the same word used in Matthew 1:25 where it is stated that Joseph knew her (Mary) not until Jesus had been born. So, this has the meaning of a very intimate knowledge. It is the same word used in Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So, Jesus Himself said life eternal is knowing - very intimately - the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
What is the definition of knowing the only true God?
Jeremiah 9:23,24 Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
What verse do these words remind you of?
Exodus 34:5-7 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
Let’s compare the two descriptions.
|
Jeremiah 9:23, 24 |
Exodus 34:5-7 |
|
exercise loving-kindness (vs 24a i) |
merciful and gracious, longsuffering (vs 6) |
|
Judgment – What is His judgement? Relate to (Gal 6:7) |
(Vs 7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation] |
|
and righteousness (vs 24a ii) |
(Vs 6) abundant in goodness and truth |
So, what is the only conclusion we can drawer from this about God? That this is His character. (See this booklet: 'Father of Love'')
To know God is to know His character and demonstrate it in your life to others.
Zechariah 7:8-10 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, ‘Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.’”
What did Jesus say in John 14:6?
Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
So, the knowledge of the Father is found in the knowledge of His Son. There is no other way we can understand the Father. He is the visible image of His Father- the only One who has seen the Father in His bosom.
No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)
Does this knowledge then, bring eternal life?
John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
So, it is very clear. These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and He told us that He is the truth so we can believe it. Believing that it is possible to have everlasting life.
How do we know that we have this life? What is the test?
1 John 3:14,15 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love [agape] the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
God is agape and what is our natural state against agape according to Romans 8:7?
Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
The law of God is the character of God expressed as promises and the carnal mind cannot be subject to, or be obedient to it (because He distrusts God and His government); AND agape is not a characteristic/virtue found in the natural person. So, for a person to love (agape) the brethren, something has to have dramatically changed in that person.
Let’s look at an example.
John 21:15-1715 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, “Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest [G25 agapeo] thou me more than these?
Peter saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love [G5368 phileo] thee.”
Jesus saith unto him, “Feed my lambs.” He saith to him again the second time, “Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest [G25 agapeo] thou me?”
He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love [5368 phileo] thee.”
He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep.”
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest [G5368 phileo] thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou me?’ And he said unto him, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love [G5368 phileo] thee.”
Jesus saith unto him, “Feed my sheep.”
Phileo means to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling.)
Agapeo is love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.
So here we have Peter speaking to Christ. This is after Peter’s bitter experience of denying Christ. This is after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. There is no record of Peter using the word agape prior to this point in his life and here he does not use it either.
In response to Christ asking if Peter agaped (benevolence love) Him, Peter could only reply that he phileo’d Him; that is, he had fond (friendship) regard for Him.
1 Peter 2:17. Honour all [men]. Love [agapeo] the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Now we see Peter exhorting Christians to agapeo each other. Something has changed in Peter. He is now using the language of Christ.
What happened? What changes a person in this way?
Well since carnal mind [is] enmity against God, then something must happen to the carnal mind. It cannot continue. there must be a transformation.
For Peter he must have used the time of prayer with the brethren in the upper room experience before Pentecost to truly repent, understand the full measure of agape, and be given a new heart.
In Psalm 51:10 we read:
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
The Hebrew word translated as heart is Strongs H 3820, labe, and means – from Brown Driver Briggs:
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions
1a10) as seat of courage
So, we can see that the clean heart David craved after the Bathsheba affair was a clean mind;
WHY? for his sin came from his mind.
Likewise in Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
This is a New Covenant Experience. Christ is longing to work in our hearts if we will allow Him to do so.
“To be pardoned in the way that Christ pardons, is not only to be forgiven, but to be renewed in the spirit of our mind.” {3SM 190}
In the above, the process for receiving a new labe (heart) is re-creation, for God says He will give a new one.
Therefore, the work of redemption is for the carnal mind to be re-created. If not, we will always have some part of us – even if it is hidden – at enmity against God. At the end of time, God wants us to fully accept Jesus as He is.
Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
But, is it just the carnal mind or is there more to it?
2 Corinthians 5:17,18 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God (of whom), who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ (by whom), and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
So, this transformation is the work of producing a new man. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature said the apostle.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
So, it is clear. There is a re-creation. To have faith that God can re-create us into a new creature in such that we are so changed and others will see the change and marvel, means that we must have faith that He first created. And that what He first created was good, without death and without sin. God must be good in order to be able to do that.
Genesis 1:31 And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good.
If we don’t have faith that He first created good, and did so in six literal days as the Genesis record states (for that is His word), then, how can we possibly believe He has the power to re-create us with goodness?
Consider: 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says:
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
We are bought with a price. How high was the price?
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
The price was so high, human words cannot describe it. It is unspeakable. It was an infinite cost.
How was the price paid?
Acts 20:28 tells us: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
This shows that Christ is the Holy Ghost, for it is Christ’s blood that His purchased us. So if we are “the temple of the Holy Ghost”, then we must be the temple for Christ’s Spirit – for He is the High Priest of the temple.
Ask yourself:
Who buys something very costly and then walks away without collecting it?
Why would God not want every person to be saved?
After all, He so loved the world that gave His only begotten Son for whosoever believes in Him. That includes everyone and leaves out no one.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pet 3:9).
Therefore, we know that God very much desires that which He has bought. However, Satan tries to deceive us with the idea that we are not worthy. But think about it. The price is already paid.
Why would God reject that for which He has already paid?
Here is the point. He bought us for the very reason that we are not worthy. He bought us not because of what we are now, but because of what He can make of us. And here we have just arrived back at creation, or in this case, re-creation.
Remember what we just read in Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Ezekiel 36:26,27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
The carnal mind cannot do this. It cannot be obedient to the law of God, so this is the promise of re-creation. This is what God will do for us. This is the promise of the new covenant. (See the book 'Removing the Veil' about how we can go from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant - a process all of us must go through.
Blessings, Allan and Danny.
