Serving the Lord (1)
The believer is so-called because he trusts in another for salvation. Salvation is spoken of as being devoid of works — it is by faith and faith alone. A cursory look at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reveals this truth:
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
We were called into the finished work of another. Jesus accomplished it all and called us into fellowship with open arms.
1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Another version says, “It is God who called us into ‘companionship and participation in His Son.” This implies that when a person believes, they receive the benefits of Christ. They become recipients of all that God did in His Son. Paul describes such a person as a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
They are forgiven.
Colossians 2:13: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”
They are born again.
1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
They have the indwelling of the Spirit:
Galatians 4:6: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!'”
Ephesians 1:13-14: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
These are the realities of the new man in Christ. With these realities, comes responsibilities that are a crucial part of the believer’s calling.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – Isaiah 64-66
TEACHING OF THE DAY
Counting the cost