#152-G98 ~ Galatians 4:6
I begin with a statement about this wonderful Savior God provided so that all of us could have a way of salvation. An important part of what He did is called redemption. This is to do with Christ paying the full penalty for our sins so that any of us could be saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 and many other passages speak of this. It is by Christ’s work in His death, burial, and resurrection that a way for our salvation was provided. By faith we go from a position of condemnation to one of perfect blessing.
A part of our blessing as believers in Christ is to do with how we are now said to be children of God. Galatians 3:26 tells us how a person becomes a child of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 gives us the details on this. It is extremely important to know that salvation is a gift, not a reward for works we’ve done. Again, Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that plain.
Resurrection is one of the most important teachings in the Bible. We’re going to get a new body that we’ll get to live in forever. Contrary to what some claim, a resurrection body like our Lord’s is something we as believers have to look forward to. I have an article on our website about all this entitled–Resurrection: Is there proof that Jesus Christ arose 1 Corinthians 6:19 even tells us we’re all indwelt with God the Holy Spirit the moment we’re saved and that indwelling is permanent.
I then go to Genesis 1:1-2 where we have the Holy Spirit first mentioned. John 16:12-13 tells us more about the Holy Spirit. Here I point out how God uses the Scriptures to “speak” to us today. If you don’t take the time to study and learn from His Word, He won’t be “speaking” with you. This by no means comes through an audible voice, but by the principles of truth that you can LEARN from the pages of Scripture. This is a part of why it is so important for you to be a good student of the Bible for it is there and only there that you will learn God’s will in all your decision-making. It will ALWAYS be through the pages of Scripture that God will direct your life. Also, it is extremely important that you give primary attention to the writings of the apostle Paul. It is by doing this which we call the right division of Scripture that we can understand these things.
Romans 8:1-3 gives us more on what we have in our salvation today. The “spirit of Life” has been provided for each of us. This makes us totally free of condemnation.
I then close our with Ephesians 1:13. The whole principle of “adoption” comes into play here. In – Romans 8:15 we find still another great blessing–that of adoption.. And ALL of this comes by grace. We’ve not earned any of it.
Tags:
