Discipleship 1:10
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
We can’t perceive the change that took place in us in our physical and soulish (mind, will, emotions) realm. But in the spirit part of us there was a total transformation.
… and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 NKJV
When we are born again, our spirit becomes truly righteous and holy.
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 NKJV
Keeping God’s commandments does not affect His love for us. But it does affect our love for Him and for each other. This type of righteousness is produced by our own actions and we must maintain it if we want to be in right relationship with others.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
This righteousness goes beyond our external righteousness and is based on what God did for us. We received right standing with God by faith in Jesus Christ. God is pleased with us based on Christ, not on anything else.
But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV
The only way that we can know that this total transformation has taken place in our spirits and that we are joined to the LORD is through the Word of God.
… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, … Ephesians 3:17 NKJV
After our conversion, Christ dwells in our hearts through faith.
… just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, … Ephesians 1:4 NKJV
… to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV
We as believers stand holy and blameless before God, accepted in the Beloved, Jesus Christ. Isn’t that beautiful?
But maybe there is a part of you that doesn’t feel saved. You’ve failed; you’ve sinned. I’ve heard people jokingly say that they’ve lost their salvation or their Christianity when they find themselves falling into behavior prior to their salvation. Two things come to mind that will bring comfort if we let it.
I once heard a minister say, (to those who are married), “Just because you don’t feel like you’re married doesn’t mean you aren’t married.” That could apply to other things as well. Just because I may not feel like a female, does not change the fact that I am a female.
I have recently heard the testimony of a woman who was on the platform with the worship team when she was suddenly smote in her heart because she had been at the bar drinking the night before. Feeling like a hypocrite, she wrestled internally, thinking, “Oh God, I have no right to be up here leading worship!” And you know what Holy Spirit whispered to her heart? “You were a hypocrite when you were in the bar last night.” !!! Yes, God sees us as He has made us at the time of our salvation: righteous, pure, blameless.
And then there’s this wonderful scripture that I have often referred to when I have failed in my Christian walk and no longer feel like a Christian:
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, … Ephesians 1:13 NKJV (I added the bold print.)
Oh what comfort it brings me to know that God has sealed me. I am marked by Christ and the Holy Spirit is protecting my salvation. A barrier has been formed to keep sin out and retain the purity of my born again spirit. And the same has been done for you if you have heard the Gospel and received Jesus as Savior with gladness. This is so wonderful!
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 NKJV
Our born again spirit does not sin. But what happens when the physical/soulish parts of us sin? Join me again next time and we’ll find out.
God's Word Girl 