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…
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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.
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