By Stewart Topping
Sometime we forget that salvation is only the beginning not the end of becoming a Christian. It is not a fire insurance policy we acquire and then coast to heaven. It allows us to enter into a relationship with God because of our faith in God. It’s not how good we are but how good God is in his forgiveness towards us. God’s plan of redemption was set in motion at the beginning of time to redeem us from hell and damnation. The dispensation of Grace is the end result of His forgiveness of sin and we become the righteousness of God.
Eph 1:7 (KJV) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”
Yes it started in the garden and finished with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is often over looked in a Christian’s life. We can see that in this verse it says that we have peace with God. That’s important since we were alienated from God due to the sin of Adam in the garden and now because of our faith (belief) we have made peace with God. Believing in him and what He has done on the cross and the tomb is the important event in our salvation. (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 (KJV)
It’s good to remember what caused the problem of sin. Here is what happened in the garden and what one man did, Adam, which caused us death by sin.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned Romans 5:12 (KJV)
Now that you are born again and now have received the Holy Spirit of promise, what to do now?
6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (KJV)
One thing I have notice with Christians and some Churches if they mention the Holy Spirit they do not know how to explain his function in a Christian’s life. Our life now is a relationship with God with help of the Holy Spirit. Know that you have the Holy Spirit living in you; it’s important to remember he is not in the church building, and you do not have to go through someone else, you now have direct access to God; he has cut out the middle man with the death of the Law at Calvary. You are the temple of God where the Holy Spirit now lives.
Eph 2:18 (KJV) “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father”.
How is your relationship with GOD!
Phil 4:6 says in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving talk to God (let your request be known).
- Are you trusting him with your life: Phil 4:6 be careful for nothing
- Are you talking to him daily: Phil 4:6 let your requests be made known unto God
- Are you thanking him daily: Phil 4:6 by prayer
- Are you making your partitions made known to him: Phil 4:6 by supplication
- Are you expecting answers when you talking with him: Phil 4:7 passes all understanding
- Have you received the peace of God with the help of the Holy Spirit, not a program that you follow to please God, it’s talking to him: Phil 4:7 shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We are to follow the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to direct us and help us,
not follow some rules or program that try to control our behavior.