A transformation occurs the moment someone believes in the completed work of Jesus Christ—the Gospel. The Gospel itself is not difficult to understand, yet many struggle with it because so much extra baggage has been added over time. The Apostle Paul clearly states the Gospel in 1 Corinthians, declaring that this is the very message that saves.
1 Corinthians 15:1–4
“1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Can it get much clearer?
- “The gospel… by which also ye are saved.”
- Christ died.
- He was buried.
- He rose again.
That’s it. That is the Gospel that saves. Unless one wants to refute Paul, it is that simple. If a person truly believes this, he or she is saved. Why is it so straightforward? Because it is a gift.
“The gift of God is eternal life” Romans 6:23
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
Don’t complicate this gift by adding requirements like repentance, baptism, church attendance, tithing, or living an upright life. Those things may be important in their place, but they are not the gift itself.
Too often, Christians become consumed with their own inadequacies rather than resting in their position as believers in the Gospel. Do you want to live a joyful life? Then recognize how God sees you: you are a new creation.
Go and live like one.
(Here’s how God sees those who have believed by grace through faith: The short list.)
- Washed: 1 Corinthians 6:11 – “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
- Sanctified: 1 Corinthians 6:11 – (See above, paired with “Washed” and “Justified”).
- Justified: 1 Corinthians 6:11 – (See above, paired with “Washed” and “Sanctified”).
- Holy: Colossians 1:22 – “He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.”
- Unblameable: Colossians 1:22 – (See above, paired with “Holy” and “Unreprovable”).
- Unreprovable: Colossians 1:22 – (See above, paired with “Holy” and “Unblameable”).
- Rooted in Christ: Colossians 2:7 – “Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
- Built up in Him: Colossians 2:7 – (See above, paired with “Rooted in Christ” and “Established in the Faith”).
- Established in the Faith: Colossians 2:7 – (See above, paired with “Rooted in Christ” and “Built up in Him”).
- Buried with Him in Baptism: Colossians 2:12 – “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
- Risen with Him through Faith: Colossians 2:12 – (See above, paired with “Buried with Him in Baptism”).
- Dead in Sins: Ephesians 2:1 – “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.”
- Forgiven of all Trespasses: Colossians 2:13 – “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”
- Nourished by Christ the Head: Colossians 2:19 – “And not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.”
- Hid with Christ in God: Colossians 3:3 – “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
- We Are Complete in Christ: Colossians 2:10 – “And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
When we focus on who we are in Christ, there is no reason to wallow in our inadequacies.
Roger Feenstra 