Key Scriptures: Titus 2:11; 2 Cor. 6:2; Isa. 56: 1\u20137; 61: 1 \u2013 3.
\nLife rolls on but not without its daily tragedies. From automobile accidents to deadly diseases on the rampage, dangers stalk us at almost every turn. Redemption is an urgent human need \u2013 if we are to regain the kind of life God originally intended man to live. Christ completely opens a new chapter in the history of mankind.<\/p>\n
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According to His word of truth, now is the accepted time\u201d to receive divine grace or help: \u201cnow is the day of salvation\u201d. (2 Cor. 6: 1 \u2013 2). The appearance of divine grace in this day of salvation, in which God has made a solemn undertaking to help all those who come to Him, has tremendous implications for believers.<\/p>\n
It holds the key to the whole mystery of salvation in the New Testament: Christ is the source of our salvation and everything it entails \u2013 righteousness, holiness, good works, etc. As soon as we come to Him, He takes control. We become righteous not by our own efforts or power, but because Christ has empowered us to be so. (Ezekiel 36: 26 \u2013 27; Phl 1: 11).
\nIndeed, as Eph. 2: 8\u20139 puts it, \u201cby grace are we saved through faith [in Christ]; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast\u201d.
\nIn verse 10 (of the same chapter), the work of Christ as the One responsible for our righteousness is specifically brought to our attention: \u201cFor we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them\u201d.<\/p>\n
Basic to this all is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which allows Christ, the grace of God, to enter the hearts of believers and begin His spiritual work of re-creation – turning us into instruments of righteousness, holiness, etc. That is to say, Christ by His Spirit motivates or causes us to walk in His statues and laws. (Ezek. 36:26 \u2013 27). Because His seed (or Word) remains in us and we are born anew by His Spirit, we cannot sin (i.e. cannot break God\u2019s law) \u2013 John 3:9; also 3:4.<\/p>\n
The baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire follows water baptism for a good reason. The Holy Spirit baptism gives meaning to repentance that we might receive power to do righteousness. (Phl. 2:13; Titus 2:11 \u2013 12: I John 5:3).<\/p>\n
No wonder, it was an established tradition in the early church to first baptize new converts by immersion in the river and afterwards teach them the baptism of the Holy Spirit so they will receive it. (Matt 3:11; Acts2: 38; 8: 16\u201317; 19:2 \u2013 6).<\/p>\n
Clearly, then, the gospel of Christ broadly proclaims a two-fold message: Repentance and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. These are the two basic themes of the gospel of Christ, described as being \u201c the power of God unto salvation.\u201d (Rom. 1:16). Beyond giving us power to fulfill the will of God (as in keeping His law, etc), the Holy Sprit also imparts to us spiritual gifts such as the gifts of wisdom, healing, miracles, etc. (I Cor. 12:8 \u201311).<\/p>\n
The baptism of the Holy Spirit effectively makes us one spiritual entity with Christ; we become attached to Him. (2 Cor. 6:17). Hence we have access to the Spirit of resurrection which raised Jesus from the dead: \u201cBut if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you\u201d. (Rom. 8:11).<\/p>\n
Once we receive Christ in our hearts via the Holy Spirit baptism, our salvation becomes complete. There and then, the power of resurrection and ascension is readily made available to us; redemption \u2013 the transformation of our vile bodies into \u201cHis glorious body\u201d \u2013 then becomes a foregone conclusion. (Phl 3:20 \u2013 21). Of course, as He Himself has said, \u201cif any man draws back [into perdition], my soul shall have no pleasure in him\u201d. (Heb. 10:38). So let\u2019s strive to attain \u201cthe stature of the fullness of Christ\u201d (Eph. 4: 13) so that we\u2019ll be able to avoid any acts that could grieve the Spirit. (Eph.4: 30). Under no circumstances should we be dropouts from the grace of God in Jesus. (See Heb. 6:4-6).<\/p>\n
The Spirit of the Redeemer has come to redeem us. \u201cIt is finished,\u201d He said on the Calvary cross, and He means every word of it. He seeks only our trust, our faith. If only we will open up our hearts to Him, He is ever ready to enter.<\/p>\n
Christ\u2019s free contract on salvation is a done deal; it\u2019s clinched. Are you ready to accept Him now?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"