Scripture is clear that OUR FAITH is how we overcome the world. Faith alone is the victory. Faith alone pleases God. That's why it's
eternally secure. Those who endure are the ones who truly believe. Several times we are told this in Scripture. Those who leave were
never with us, some fall away because they
reveal themselves. This isn't about trying to keep ourselves saved, it's about self-examination to ensure we are
truly saved.
2 Co 3:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
The way we know we are truly saved is by knowing Christ is in us. Why is this? Because He is eternal life. This unity is key to understanding the foundations of Scripture. Christ came so we wouldn't perish
apart from Him, but have eternal life
with Him.
If we are still waiting for eternal life a few things can not be true: we haven't died to the old man, we haven't been reborn
in Christ, we are not the temple of the living God, and our faith has not overcome the world.
And if this is the case, we aren't truly saved at all.
But here's the big twist, it's not simply about being saved, it's about
knowing God. It's always been about knowing and seeking God. Man is built with big holes that can only be filled with God. Depending on each man's unique design is who God is for each man. Everything man seeks is found
in Him. He is the Truth, He is the Way, and He is the Life. Among many other things.
As we become united to Him we are the Body of Christ on the Earth. And our lives are the appeal of God to the world to be RECONCILED to Him. But if we haven't accepted we have eternal life, and are joined to Him, how can we truly invite the world to be reconciled themselves? But Christ (God in the flesh) became sin for our us, so we could be His righteousness.
Righteousness is a really big deal for us to comprehend as well. But here's the first step to understand what righteousness is and why it's the ministry of the Holy Spirit for the
believer.
1 Co 6:17 But he who is
joined to the Lord
becomes one spirit with him.
We are a new creation, notice Scripture doesn't say new creation
s. Why? Because we have ALL become one spirit with Him. This is the function of dying to ourselves (apart from Him) and being reborn
in Him (reconciled to Him). This is why we are the Body of Christ. United with Him and united with each other.
John 17:11- And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me,
that they may be one, even as we are one.
Even identifying us with Him as no longer being
OF the world.
16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
As you can see these are not metaphorical, but very real realities. And these realities are for those who are in Christ by faith. Who have died to separation to God and are
now reborn in Christ.
20“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
21that
they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be
in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that
they may be one even as we are one,
23I in them and you in me, that they may become
perfectly one, so that the world may know that
you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
And that is the ministry of reconciliation and "new creation" reality that we enter
into through faith.
So that Paul can say this about this now:
Ephesians 5:8 for at one time you
were darkness, but
now you are
light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light.