The Kingdom of God 8 – Good News

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on the essence of the Gospel and its promise of liberation.

Scripture

Isaiah 52:1-9

1  Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.  2  Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.  3  For thus says the LORD: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.”  4  For thus says the Lord GOD: “My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing.  5  Now therefore what have I here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the LORD, “and continually all the day my name is despised.  6  Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.”  7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  8  The voice of your watchmen–they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion.  9  Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.

Mark 1:14-15

14  After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God.  15  “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”

Observation and reflection

Consider Isaiah 52:1-9 quoted above:

1. Summarize the message of the prophet shortly.
2. What seems to be the context into which Isaiah prophesies? (v1-5)
3. What is the “good news”?
4. What is implied in the “good news”? (v9c) [hint: consider the context from (b) above]
5. What is the response to the “good news”? (v7-9)

Consider Mark 1:14-15 quoted above:

1. According to this text, what was the core of Jesus’ message?
2. According to Jesus, how would such a person access the Kingdom of God?
3. What similarities do you notice between Jesus’ message and Isaiah’s message quoted above?
4. How do you understand the flow in the message of Jesus? In other words how do the phrases “Good News” + “Kingdom of God is at hand” + “repent and believe” relate to each other?  Rewrite Jesus’ message in your own words.

Application and prayer

The Kingdom of God is always Good News, because in the reign of God always liberates the oppressed and results in righteousness, peace and joy for all!

Consider the deteriorating life of a drug addict, or bulimic, or perfectionist, or procrastinator, or gambler.

1. In which ways are this person enslaved by his or her own passions?
2. In which ways do this person’s life correspond to the Jews oppressed by the Egyptians or Assyrians as noted in Isaiah’s prophesy (quoted above)?
3. How would the Kingdom of God be good news for such a person?
4. Do you know such a person? Pray to God that this person would have faith and grace for repentance.
5. Which aspect of your life is enslaving you, or in danger of enslaving you? Repent of it, and ask for faith that God would reign over this aspect of your life.

The Kingdom of God 8 – Good News

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on the essence of the Gospel and its promise.

Scripture

Isaiah 52:1-9

1  Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.  2  Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.  3  For thus says the LORD: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.”  4  For thus says the Lord GOD: “My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing.  5  Now therefore what have I here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the LORD, “and continually all the day my name is despised.  6  Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.”  7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  8  The voice of your watchmen–they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion.  9  Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.

Mark 1:14-15

14  After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God.  15  “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”

 

Observation and reflection

Consider Isaiah 52:1-9 quoted above:

1. Summarize the message of the prophet shortly.
2. What seems to be the context into which Isaiah prophesies? (v1-5)
3. What is the “good news”?
4. What is implied in the “good news”? (v9c) [hint: consider the context from (b) above]
5. What is the response to the “good news”? (v7-9)

Consider Mark 1:14-15 quoted above:

1. According to this text, what was the core of Jesus’ message?
2. According to Jesus, how would such a person access the Kingdom of God?
3. What similarities do you notice between Jesus’ message and Isaiah’s message quoted above?
4. How do you understand the flow in the message of Jesus? In other words how do the phrases “Good News” + “Kingdom of God is at hand” + “repent and believe” relate to each other?
   1. Rewrite Jesus’ message in your own words.

Application and prayer

The Kingdom of God is always Good News, because in the reign of God always liberates the oppressed and results in righteousness, peace and joy for all!

Consider the deteriorating life of a drug addict, or bulimic, or perfectionist, or procrastinator, or gambler.

1. In which ways are this person enslaved by his or her own passions?
2. In which ways do this person’s life correspond to the Jews oppressed by the Egyptians or Assyrians as noted in Isaiah’s prophesy (quoted above)?
3. How would the Kingdom of God be good news for such a person?
4. Do you know such a person? Pray to God that this person would have faith and grace for repentance.
5. Which aspect of your life is enslaving you, or in danger of enslaving you? Repent of it, and ask for faith that God would reign over this aspect of your life.

 

Discipleship 12 – work it out!

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on God’s role and our role in our progressive salvation.

Scripture

Philippians 2:12-13

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Observations and reflections

1. To get a more accurate grip on what Paul is saying, briefly summerise his exhortation above in each paragraph:
   1. Verses 1-4
   2. Verses 5-8
   3. Verses 9-11
   4. Verses 12-13
2. We will focus on the last paragraph (v12-13):
   1. Does this scripture teach salvation should be earned? Why / why not?
   2. What “work” regarding our salvation should the believers do? (Consider the context of the instruction)
   3. Why does he say qualify the “working out” with the phrase “with fear and trembling”? [hint: consider the context – also verses 9-11]
   4. What “work” does God do regarding our [ongoing] salvation according to verse 13?
   5. What does Paul mean with “to will and to act in order to fulfill his purpose”? (verse 13). Say this in your own words.
   6. What role does Paul, the Apostle, plays in the ongoing salvation of the Philippians, according to verses 12-13? And what does that suggest about the role of other believers (and in particular church leadership) in ongoing salvation of believers in general?

Application and prayer

Take a moment and reflect on God’s ongoing process of salvation in your life [a.k.a holiness or sanctification].

1. PAST: Think about a specific spiritual victory in your life, such as overcoming a particular sinful habit or notable character flaw.
   1. What steps have you taken in the past to overcome?
   2. In retrospect, can you recognize the work of God to give you the desire and ability to grow in holiness in that particular instance? Describe it.
   3. What role did other believers play in growing this steps towards holiness?
2. PRESENT:
   1. What desires for holiness or God’s purpose for your life can you articulate at present? (One clear example will suffice).
   2. What steps must you take to respond to God’s work in your life in this instance?
   3. What help do you need from Christian leaders or friends?
   4. Send a message to an accountability partner / Christian friend and tell him/ her about this prompting of God, your intention and then ask for help.

Prayer

Thank God for the areas where he worked in you to give the desire and ability to fulfill his will.  Celebrate the growth in Christlikeness!  Again, pray “that Christ may be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19) – then commit to “work out your [gift of] salvation” in light of Christ’s return, and ask God for his empowerment and wisdom to complete His work in you!

Stewardship 11 – more than money

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on stewardship – particularly related to time and your salvation.

Scripture

Note: This conversation happened in the house of Zacchaeus, while Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem.

Luke 19:11-28

11  As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

12  He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13  Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14  But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15  When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.

16  The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17  And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18  And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19  And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

20  Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21  for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22  He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23  Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24  And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’

25  And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26  ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27  But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'”

28  And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Observations and reflections

Note 1: A mina was about one fourth of the annual income of an agricultural worker in Jesus’ day.

1. There are deliberate similarity between this parable of the ten minas and the parable of the ten talents (Matthew 25:14-30), but also a few big differences. What are the most obvious difference between these parables. [hint: how many did each person receive…?]
2. Why did Jesus tell this parable in Zacchaeus house? [verses 11 and 28]
   1. Knowing that he was going to Jerusalem [read: suffering and death], what do you think he could mean in the parable with “A nobleman went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom”? [v12]
   2. And who do you think did Jesus refer to as the “citizens” who “hated him” and did “not want him to rule” over them? [v14]
   3. Then, who would be the “servants” of the nobleman? [v13]
3. In this parable each of the servants / stewards received one mina. What is the ONE THING each person on earth gets equal for which they must give account to God [hint: tick-tock…]
4. But there is probably a something else which Jesus meant in the parable with the giving of the ten minas, since the servants of the nobleman-king received the one mina each, and not the citizens.
   1. What is entrusted to “the servants of the nobleman-king” while he is away, that they must “do business with until [he] returns?” [v13]
   2. What is implied with “do business until I return” [v13]/ [hint: what does the “Nobleman-King want multiplied when he returns to reign in His Kingdom”]?

Application and Prayer

1. Each person on earth receives equal amount of time every day – and we must give account of that to God. Are you a good steward of your time?  Or do you tend to procrastinate or to waste time?
   1. Keep a time sheet of every waking hour today to see what you do with it, and when you go to bed tonight give an account to God of what you did with the time he entrusted to you.
   2. Pray for grace to “make the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)
2. Believers are gifted differently, but what does each believer get entrusted equal from Jesus (the “Nobleman-King” in the parable)? Write your thoughts down.
   1. When the Nobleman-King returns he called each for account in “what they had gained by doing business.” Are you a faithful steward of your salvation testimony? Are you a faithful steward of the saving Gospel of Jesus?  Have your “mina” gained one or two more “minas” for the Lord?
   2. Pray to the Lord for grace to testify of Jesus’ saving grace with boldness. (Acts 4:29)
3. Make good use of your time and testimony today – who will you invite to church in Sunday?

Salvation and the Spirit 4

The aim of this devotional study is to understand and appreciate the Spirit’s participation in our continuing salvation.

Scripture

Ephesians 1:7-14

7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12  so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

13  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, 14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Observations

1. It is very helpful to replace key words or phrases with appropriate synonyms to better understand the fullness of a Text. Re-read the text out loud and replace the words in bold with synonyms (similar phrases).
2. According to this text, what is a function of the Holy Spirit pertaining our salvation?
3. What is meant with the phrase “sealed with the …Holy Spirit”?
4. What do you understand is “our inheritance” that is kept for us?
5. What does Paul mean when he says the Holy Spirit in us “is the guarantee” of our inheritance?
6. What does Paul refer to when he says “until we acquire possession” of our inheritance?

Application

Paul writes that we are “sealed” or “marked as God’s property” through the Holy Spirit.  He adds that we have the Spirit as our “guarantee” or “engagement ring” – the promise that we will forever be united as through marriage.  Thus the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer brings security that He is united with God in Christ through the indwelling of His Spirit, and therefore his eternal salvation is certain – he is now and forever one with God, the Source of Life.

1. How do you know that the Holy Spirit lives in you?
2. How do others know that the Holy Spirit lives in you?
3. How confident are you that your salvation in God is certain and secure?

Prayer

If you have the gift of praying in tongues, spend significant time praying in the Holy Spirit and asking God for interpretation now, otherwise ask God to fill you with His Spirit and ask Him for spiritual gifts you desire from Him.

Salvation and the Spirit 3

The aim of this devotional study is to understand and participate with the Holy Spirit’s work in our continuing salvation.

Scripture

Romans 8:8-17

8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  9  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  10  But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  11  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.  12  So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  13  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  14  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  15  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”  16  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  17  and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Observations

1. The “Spirit” is mentioned 10 times in these 9 verses. List the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life according this passage.
2. Now, in one sentence, explain what the Holy Spirit does for the believer’s salvation from this passage.

Application and prayer

1. What is your greatest (fleshly) weakness? Write it down, then next to it write verse 11.  Spend some time in declaration, for instance “since the Spirit of Him who rose Christ from the grave dwells in me, he who rose Christ from the grave will give life to this [fleshly weakness] through the Spirit who lives in me” and “[fleshly weakness] I owe you nothing but by the Spirit I put you to death” (v12-13).  Spend some time ask God for grace through his Spirit to overcome this weakness.
2. Read again verse 15-16. Do you feel like a son/ child of God? Do you feel accepted and loved and confident before God? If you have surrendered your life to Christ he has poured his Spirit into you, and then you are his child. So personalize and pray verses 15-17 out loud a few times. Thank God for the gift of sonship though his Spirit.

Salvation and the Spirit 2

The aim of this devotional is to grow in understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in our (ongoing) salvation.

Scripture

Genesis 2:7  then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

John 20:19-22  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  21  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Observations and reflection

Note: As mentioned in previous studies, the Gospel authors recorded the life and teachings of Jesus while many times hinting at Old Testament accounts to bring out greater significance to what Jesus was doing or saying.  Most Biblical commentators link these two passages above, convinced that John hinted back at the creation of man in this section.

1. John repeated refers to the Holy Spirit as life-giving (John 3:3-5, 6:63, 7:38-39 etc). With that in mind, what do you understand happened with the disciples in John 20:22?
2. Why did Jesus need to breathe his Spirit on the disciples?
3. This happened after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Why did Jesus not do this before his crucifixion?

Application

1. Could you point to one instance in your life when Jesus “breathed his Life-giving Spirit into you”? What changed that moment?

Prayer

Spend some time worshipping Jesus with this truth from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 15:45  “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam [Jesus] became a life-giving spirit.”

Now pray for someone on your heart who is still dead in their sins, that he/she would meet Jesus, the Life-giving Spirit.

Salvation and the Spirit 1

The Aim of this devotional study is to consider the relationship between salvation and the Holy Spirit.

Scripture

John 3:1-8

3  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4  Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5  Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’   8  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Observation

1. According to this teaching of Jesus, how does one get “born again” / “saved”?
2. According to this teaching of Jesus, what is the key characteristic of those who have been “born again”?

Note: It is important to emphasize here that “God’s salvation’ is synonymous with being “born again”, is synonymous with “entering into the Kingdom of God”.  The way which God accomplishes this work of salvation in us is through regeneration by his Holy Spirit. You cannot be born again without the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in your life.  This truth is a key focus in both John and Paul’s writings, which we will look at in the next five posts.

Application

1. John 3:8 states that the key distinctive of someone being born again is a life moved and/ or transformed through the Holy Spirit – that people can witness even though they do not see or know the Holy Spirit. What evidence of the moving and transforming work of the Spirit is visible in your life?
2. This verse also suggest that Christianity is not primarily an intellectual and philosophical religion, but a Spirit-empowered life. Reflect on how much of your relationship with God is focused on Biblical theory and how much is visible in power to become godly (2 Timothy 3:1,5) and power to minister with evidence (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)?

2Timothy 3:1 ,5 “…in the last days there will be… [people] having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”

1 Corinthians 2:4-5  “and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Prayer

Thank God for the work of regeneration through his Holy Spirit, and talk to God about a life driven by His Spirit.

Salvation 12

The Aim of this devotional study is to grow in understanding and appreciation for our salvation in Jesus Christ.

Scripture

Philippians 2:5-13

5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  9  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Observation

1. The gospel (according to Paul, refer 1 Cor 15) is simply the announcement of how God dealt with our separation from him (resulting in our sinful depravity and pending death) by giving his Son as a substation for our punishment and death, and subsequent victory over sin and death. Look at this text and write down what you can see about the gospel (“good news”) of our salvation.
2. Some say that salvation is an event, other says it’s a process. What would you answer them out of this text?
3. Some say that salvation is by faith only, other ay you have to do something. What would you answer them out of this text?
4. Some say that God saves us, others say that we need to work with God. What would you answer them out of this text?
5. In reference to the immediate context, what was Paul referring to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”?

Application

1. If someone asked you “how should I work out my salvation?” – what would you answer them?
2. In a very practical, day-to-day way – how do you “work our your salvation”? And what aspect of your salvation are you working out at the moment?  (Consider also what is the Lord busy with regarding your salvation?)

Prayer

Thank the Lord that He “is always at work in us, giving you the desire and ability to fulfill his will” [Phil 2:13, NIV translation].  And ask Him what is busy with in your life – pray about that.

Salvation 11

The aim of this module is to grow in understanding and appreciation for the fullness by which God saved us in the death of his Son Jesus Christ.

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:1-21

1  For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3  if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4  For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  5  Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6  So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.  9  Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11  Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences…

14  For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15  and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16  Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

18  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

21  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Observation

There are several terms used to describe a certain part of the process by which God saves us.  Consider the following terms with a simplified definition of each.

• Eternal life describes both life without end in days, as well as the experience with which we live to the fullness without reservation – the very life of God.
• Glorification refers to the fullness of our salvation we will receive when Christ returns to deliver us of the presence of sin and Satan and transform our bodies to resemble his.
• Identification means to identify with the position of another: Christ identified with us in our humanity and carried the punishment of our sins – even death; we in turn identify with his righteousness and life.
• Inheritance refers to what we will partake of as children of God, that which is rightly ours as children of God – both now and when Christ returns to take us to him.
• Justification is a legal term meaning that no fault (or sin) is found in the accused.
• Condemnation is a legal term which implies that the accused is found guilty and has been sentenced for punishment.
• Reconciliation means to arbitrate and bring peace between two parties.
• Regeneration or recreation means to bring to life, to make new.
• Repentance means a 180 degree turn-around in will, attitude and behavior – to go the other way. Biblically it is used to mean one turns from sin towards God’s way of life.
• Righteousness refers to what is right in the sight of God, and is often spoken of as a garment by which we are clothed to appear pure before God.
• Substitution or propitiation with regard to our salvation refers to another who takes the punishment of sin on our behalf.

Now read through the text again and fit each of the following verses with one (or two) of these salvation terms that fit best.

• V1 ————–
• V2 ————–
• V3 ————–
• V5 ————–
• V10 either ————– or ————–
• V11 ————–
• V14 ————–
• V15 ————–
• V17 ————–
• V18 ————–
• V20 ————–
• V21 ————–

Application and Prayer

Which verses in today’s sccspeak the clearest to your conscience today?  Why does it press on your heart?  Spend some time to pray to God about that aspect of your salvation.  Then make time to worship God for this great gift of salvation in his Son Jesus Christ!

Salvation 10

The Aim of this short devotional study is to discover the extent of God’s salvation to one who cries out to Him.

Scripture

Psalms 40:1-3

1  I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.

2  He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.

3  He has put a new song in my mouth– Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

Observation

Slowly read these three verses and answer the questions:

1. When you read “horrible pit… miry clay” what do you think / feel? What is David trying to relay with these words?
2. What did David do for God to rescue / save him?
3. What was the process of God’s full rescue / salvation of David?
4. What was the result of God’s rescue / salvation of David to others?
5. What was the natural result God’s rescue / salvation within David?

Application

1. Memorize this short text. (Pray it repeatedly until you know it)
2. David’s rescue / salvation lead to praise of God which attracted people attention, worship and faith in God. What work which God has completed in your life which need to be published in a way to cause people to trust and worship God?

Prayer

What situation in your life feels like you being stuck “in a horrible pit [of] miry clay”?  Cry out to God now – and persevere in it – waiting for his complete restoration.  He did it for David – he will do it for you.