At one time we believers were ‘condemned’ sinners, lost and without Christ. But now, having believed into Christ we can rejoice in the Pauline truth of the “now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1a, below).
If you have ever been a part of a ‘religion’ you probably have received a few sacraments. I was baptized as an infant in the Roman Catholic church, which to them is supposedly important, but in reality, it is totally meaningless.
Part 5 - The Facts of Our New Identity “In Christ”:
During today’s age of “the grace of God” salvation comes to those who do not work for it. Rather those who believe, looking to the Cross of Christ as their source of the liberty from Sin’s power and as the root source of the of resurrection life… flows to those who receive His life by grace through faith alone.
The Suffering of Not Knowing & Believing the Truth
I have often been disappointed in myself in that I have sinned after knowing not to, even while knowing so much Bible. The question then becomes, “How could I do such a thing?” and “How can I not sin?” The fact is that after our salvation we soon recognize that we have a stubborn ‘heart’ problem that needs resetting. Thankfully, God’s grace and His ongoing work upon our soul, over time … ‘repurposes our heart.’
I’ve heard some say; “Doctrine is not all that important, what counts is, did you receive the Lord”; but do you really want to minimize doctrinal truth as they do? Think about the confusion that has been brought by corrupt doctrine, and then the answer will become apparent. Just consider that most Christians understand so little that they can’t clearly tell you if they will ultimately dwell in heaven or on the new earth (cf. Phili. 3:20-21), or how they actually got into “the body of Christ” (cf. 1Cor 12:13).
“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130).
“3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
By Arthur J Licursi
Before one can be saved from eternal damnation they need to know and acknowledge their true condition, as to how they are seen in God’s eyes. Who can receive and answer until they first come to the question… which is, “Is man able to save himself?”
God’s word gives us the answer starting with the revelation of our true condition, apart from His Salvation.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
Many Christians spend great deal of time and effort trying to determine God’s will for them in a particular situation, often requiring a decision for what they face. They wait for instruction from the Lord as to what they should do in the matter at hand. They live as though it were still “time past” when men of God did not have the abiding indwelling “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” So they seek to live by outer guidance and confirmation of God’s will, but that is not God’s way in this age since the cross – since He lives IN US.
A friend asks: “Have you heard the good news?” and you reply: “What good news?” Naturally! Not all good news is the same. The word “Gospel” simply means “the good news.”
Yet today, few people ask this question, “What gospel” when they read in the Bible the phrase “the gospel.”