Christian Life Part 4: Borders for the Christian Life

Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring Biblical concepts in the Christian life. We spoke initially about the three sanctifications (being set apart for holiness) which delineate our Christian experiences:

·       Salvation - Our legal sanctification by the blood of Christ in faith (Romans 3:21-26)

·       The Christian life - We seek to become sanctified in our actions and thoughts as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16)

·       Heaven - Christ takes us to our eternal home when our bodies will be sanctified (1 Corinthians 15:50 ff)

Importantly, when one sanctification is complete and we progress to the next, we cannot return to the prior sanctified state. This helps us know that we have eternal security and confidence in our relationship with God; please review the last blog about this important lesson.

We then discussed scripturally based goals for Christian living and the tools God provides by which we can accomplish them.

·       Be holy as God is holy - We should strive to develop godly characteristics in our life (1 Peter 1:16)

·       Live a life of faith – God is pleased by our faith, not guilt and legalism (Romans 14:23; Colossians 2:6)

·       Serve God with your entire life  – In accomplishing this goal we have great freedom to live by faith within the broad bounds of the New Testament epistles’ commands (Romans 12:1-2)

Most recently we discussed the tools that God gives us to accomplish these goals which are the Bible and His power as manifested through His Holy Spirit.

Borders for the Christian life

Although we have great freedom to pursue God in faith, He does place wise borders on our lives to keep us on the scriptural playing field so we do not run out of balance and take ourselves out of the action.

·       Admonishments for the Christian life – These exist to fulfill two general purposes from a holy God:

• Maintain an orderly society – These are reflected in commands such as “do not murder” or “do not steal” and are often repeated from the Old Testament. God’s order commands are interspersed throughout the epistles. In general, His commands are few and protective to us and society, leaving us a broad path in life in which He wants us to live by faith to serve Him.

• Note: Old Testament and gospel commands – These commands reflect God’s holiness. Nonetheless, they are dictates for another time when God administered His people differently. We obey commands within the epistles because these are for the church time in which we now live.

• Live a wise and godly life – Like the commands related to orderliness, these injunctions also are interspersed throughout the epistles and provide wisdom about how to lead the Christian life. Interestingly, research in the medical literature has shown that when such admonishments are obeyed they increase wellbeing, such as producing hope, forgiveness, thankfulness, and joy (https://teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CV-Teleios-Wellbeing-Review-JRH.pdf). Further, Teleios’ research has shown that Christians who study the Bible and practice what it says its precepts on average have better wellbeing than those who do not. God made us and He knows our psychological profile and what is healthy for us.

• Use your freedom wisely - Although God grants us wide freedom in our Christian walk, the Apostle Paul tells us not to misuse this freedom if we're causing other believers, who are following legalistic non-biblical commands out of faith, to stumble (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8; 1 Corinthians 10:23ff). An example of this might be drinking alcohol. Scripture tells us that we should not become drunk (Ephesians 5:18) but does not tell us not to drink alcohol. Therefore, we are free to partake of alcohol in a responsible way (1 Timothy 4:4-5) in which we remain sober. However, we should not drink if we are causing a Christian who believes that we should refrain from alcohol to become discouraged in their faith.

God has granted us great freedom to live in faith in accordance with broad scriptural commands. Our ability to know truth helps us navigate life in a productive and joyful way. We thank God for His provision and wise and truthful word.

We will discuss in the next blog the methods God graciously provides us to use to mature ourselves in Him.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Christian Life Part 3: Tools

Welcome back to my blog. We are discussing the Christian life. God gives us so much that makes our lives abundant!

We discussed last time goals for the Christian life and started exploring the two primary tools to accomplish these goals. The first tool is God's word. Please review last week's blog below. Now let us explore the second tool, the Holy Spirit and His power to accomplish Christian living.

God’s power

God’s power in the New Testament for believers is manifested generally in two ways:

• The gospel (Romans 1:16-17) – This is the power of God to salvation! The Holy Spirit is active in the process by convicting unbelievers of their sin (John 16:10).
• In the Christian life (Ephesians 6:10-17) – The magnificent armor of God passage is critical to understanding our Christian life because it instructs us how to access God’s power by describing a Greek hoplite soldier and his armament. Often Christians wonder how they can know the power of God. These great verses describe it! However, it is also important in showing the role of the Spirit because His mighty actions are linked to each of the pieces of armor in other scripture.
• Truth (our belt to prepare us V.14) – Living in truth is a fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:9) and prepares our mind to make proper decisions and actions.
• Righteousness (our breastplate V.14) – A fruit of the Spirit is a holy heart that is set apart to serve God and perceives and rejects sin (Ephesians 5:9).
• Share the gospel (the shoes to carry us to battle V.15) – By telling others the message of salvation we see the power of God to change others and positively affect our society, which is assisted by the Spirit (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 1:7; John 16:8-11).
• Faith (our shield V.16) – Another fruit or evidence of the Spirit is faith by which we make our decisions and do what God desires from us (Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 14:23).
• Eternal security (our helmet V.17) – The sound knowledge of our security of salvation protects our heads as we face troubles in this world and its function comes from the Spirit (Romans 15:13, Romans 8:16).
• The Bible (our sword V.17) – The power of God we experience in our Christian life is through the action of the Spirit in accordance to the Bible (Hebrews 4:12).

What great truths! What a privilege to know God through His word and live a holy life which pleases Him.

Thank you for joining me today. Please return next time as we continue the exciting discussion of the Christian walk that's associated benefits in life.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…
Email                info@teleiosresearch.com
Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/
Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch
Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch
Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

 Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Christian Life Part 1 - The Foundation

The term Christian life roughly refers to how we live as a believer. Our Christian life is vital to gain and know the fruit of the Holy Spirit, derived from obedience, as well as to serve our Savior who saved us (Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 2:12; Romans 12:1-2).

Importantly, two preconditions exist to enjoy the Christian life. If you are unsure If you meet these conditions, please review Chapters 1-3 of Know the Bible on the Teleios website.

The preconditions: Salvation and assurance

• Being saved by grace, having received the forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection to new life (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 10:9).

• Security of salvation, as we can only adequately live a fruitful Christian life when we are confident of our salvation (1 Peter 1:4-5, Romans 8:28-39).

If a person does not believe In Christ to salvation, they do not have the understanding or capacity to live the Christian life (Romans 3:10-18). Further, if we are not convinced that God keeps our salvation then we will not have the confidence to life as a Christian and serve God.

Based on these two foundations, how the does the Bible tell us to live the Christian life?

Progressing from Salvation to live the Christian life (Hebrew 6:1-2).

How do we then mature in our faith after salvation?

o   Three sanctifications – Critical to understanding the Christian life are the three different sanctifications. These are defined in the Dallas Theological Seminary doctrinal statement and are very useful. Sanctification as a term is defined by our setting apart as holy to God.

Ø  First or past sanctification – This is legal holiness based on our forgiveness of sins by Christ’s death in the cross through faith. We are created new beings in Christ who can serve him (Romans 6:2-11; Titus 3:5).

Ø  Second or present sanctification – This describes our actions, by which we become holy as we live a life of faith and obedient in our service to God throughout our lifetime (Romans 6-12-16; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:4-10).

Ø  Third or future sanctification – This is the change in our bodies at the rapture that become holy; completing the sanctification process (1 Corinthians 15:1-49).

o   Importantly, the three sanctifications are separate in implementation and do not mix.

Ø  Transition from first to second sanctification – When Christ was resurrected to new life He then ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 8:1). This action signified that His glorious work in bringing salvation to man was finished. His sacrifice was sufficient for all sins for all time and did not need to be repeated (Hebrews 10:10-19). His sacrificial work being complete, Christ now heads continuously the church and helps believers in their Christian life.

• Likewise, as Christians when we believed on salvation and received forgiveness (Romans 3:23-26) it is once for all time. We also were resurrected to new life and sit at the right hand of God the Father with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-9). Consequently, our work of being saved is finished. We now serve Christ continuously through the church (second sanctification). We do not need to revisit our first sanctification.

• So as Christ was resurrected to new life we also are resurrected to new life through Him (Romans 6:2-9). As Christ’s saving work was finished on the cross, so our process to salvation was finished at conversion. As new regenerated person we are now able and free to serve Him, unburdened with insecurities over the security of our salvation or if God may not accept us for some sin (Romans 6:11-16).

Ø  Transition from the 2nd to the 3rd sanctification – When Christ comes again in the clouds to take His church home our bodies will be changed instantaneously to a heavenly body (1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:49-54). This completes our sanctification.

So, by definition, in the Christian life we have progressed from the first to the second sanctification. It is based upon the fact that you have been saved by grace through the blood of Christ with your sins forgiven. In addition, we have been given the positions of being placed in God's family, found innocent by the blood of Christ, sealed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. These unalterable promises and being changed into a new person provide a security to salvation and confidence in our relationship with God.

Therefore, we move forward in the Christian life serving God with confidence and joy.

Join us next time as we further describe this wonderful process of God bearing fruit in our life and our service to Him. 

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer – I am not a trained pastor or psychologists. Please contact the appropriate medical or pastoral practitioner for professional help beyond what lay people can provide. This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

Hypostatic Union

Hypostatic Union

This important theological concept is a second term, in addition to the Trinity, that is not mentioned in scripture. However, the concept is broadly described and is based in the New Testament describing Jesus Christ as being both God and man.

Christian orthodoxy accordingly teaches that Christ is both all man and all God, joined together, being of one essence but two distinct wills. This is called the hypostatic union. The word hypostatic comes from the Greek word ὑπόστασις (Hupostasis) and is defined by Thayer in part as ‘substance, real being, the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing’.

Important verses indicating the existence of the hypostatic union are the following:

Christ as God and man:

o   Christ is God - Psalms 45:6; Psalm 110:1; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20; John 1:1,34; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:1-3

o   Christ is man - 1 Timothy 2:5: 1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7; Romans 5:15

Titles:

o   Son of God (equal to God) - John 5:18; John 19:7; Matthew 26:63-64

o   Son of man (the representative man) - There are numerous references to Christ calling Himself son of man in the gospels as it was his favorite reference to Himself - Matthew 16:27-28; John 1:51; John 6:62

Development of the concept

In the first 300 years after Christ, Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire. Only after the edict of Milan, issued in 313 by Constantine, the first Christian emperor, did Christianity became recognized by the empire.  At that time Christian leaders finally were able to congregate to discuss difficult theological issues generated during the first few centuries of Christian history.

These discussions occurred, most importantly, at the first seven ecumenical councils of the church between 325 and 787 AD. The first council was in Nicaea and confirmed Christ is God and of one substance with the Father; being Himself both fully God and man. This theology was stated in the Nicene Creed often repeated still, or it's derivative, in churches today.

However, following the confirmation of Christ’s deity and humanity the issue arose over the manner both these natures interacted within Christ. Therefore, the 3^rd, 4th and 5th ecumenical councils dealt primarily with this issue and created statements over Christ and His deity and humanity.

The ecumenical councils examined three basic concepts of the union of Christ’s deity and humanity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils):

o   One essence, one will - This hypothesis was proposed by the Oriental churches represented today by Armenian, Syrian, and Egyptian Coptic fellowships. They claimed that Christ was of one essence and one will, shared between his humanity and deity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monophysitism

o   Two essences and wills - This theory was proposed by the Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople from 428 to 431, as a reaction to the Oriental churches’ theology. It indicated that Christ was of two distinct essences and possessed two disparate wills. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorianism

o   One essence and two wills - This was championed by the church councils and indicated that Christ humanity and deity were composed of one essence but there were two distinct wills.

In summary, it is key for a Christian to understand that Christ was both fully man and fully God. This union shows the importance of the virgin birth when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and so was born of man but also is God.

Christ had to be God to provide a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the Father’s justice in demanding the payment for our sins. In contrast, Christ also had to be man, to take our deserved punishment on the cross, so that we could be forgiven and saved by faith.

Thanks for joining us! Come back next week as we begin an exciting discussion about Christian life.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.