“And because of Him [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,
righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”
(1 Cor. 1:30)
We are accustomed to earning our way in society – we earn a living…we earn respect…we earn the trust of another…we earn the right to give advice.
But the most important attainment in this life – salvation and favor with God – cannot be earned. No matter who you are or how much you try, the only means of salvation that remedies the infinite chasm that exists between the holy God and sinful humanity is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul states it beautifully in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
“This is not of your own doing!” You cannot earn it. You cannot work for it. You can never deserve it.
Rather, salvation is a GIFT “by grace…through faith.” The very definition of biblical grace is God’s unmerited favor. Even the faith necessary to believe in Christ as Savior and Lord comes from God – “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him,” (John 6:44).
And yet, by grace…through faith God redeems His own out of the filthy slave market of sin, washes us with Christ’s blood and clothes us in Christ’s righteousness. Then He begins His work of sanctifying us through His Spirit that lives in us until the day He transforms us into the likeness of His Son when we see Him in all His glory! (Rom. 3:23-24, Isa. 61:10, 2 Thess. 2:13, 2 Cor. 3:18, 1 John 3:2).
Do you know why it is that we can be righteous, redeemed, and transformed into the likeness of Christ? It is because that same Jesus became to us all these things when we believed the Gospel message. Christ IS eternal wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. But only when God in His great love and grace instills faith in our heart that opens our spiritual eyes to behold the Lamb of God for who He is – and we receive His Gift of salvation – does Christ become all these to us. It is only when you believe with your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess Him as Lord (Rom. 10:9) that you are declared righteous, you are redeemed, you are sanctified.
Isaac Ambrose said rightly, “The first step that brings comfort to Christians and the relief from the weight of a heavy soul is a true sight of Christ.” That sight comes when, through the eyes of faith, we “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
You may say, “I see Christ, and I see that His person, and death, and blood-shed are precious and saving; but how may I make Him mine? How do I see Him clearly that I might adore God rightly? How may I know that He is my Savior?”
It is as simple as receiving God’s gift of His Son as your Lord and Savior. Ask Him to take over the reins of your heart. Throw your sinful soul on the bleeding wounds of Jesus, and abandon yourself with confidence into the depth of His love! And He will become to you “… righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water,’” (John 7:37).
- Father, I know that receiving the gift of Your Son as my Lord and Savior is the only way to eternal life. And I’m grateful for the witness of Your Holy Spirit in my heart giving me assurance that I am Your child. I was created for You, and in You I find everything my soul craves. In Christ alone my soul is refreshed and satisfied.
- I realize the only way I can experience Your gracious purpose for me is through obedience to Your Son and Your Word. Peter says, “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure,” (2 Peter 1: 10). I want to be sure of Your calling, Lord! Do I diligently seek assurance of my faith in You?
- How can I know for sure that I belong to You? Assurance of my salvation is such a blessed thing, especially when I’m aware every day of nagging sin in my life. But Jesus said He never loses those You give Him, and I trust in You to forgive my sins and grant me a place in Your family and an inheritance in Your kingdom, because You gave me Your Word.
- Father God, Your Word says that salvation is mine if I believe the Gospel message and receive Your Son as my Lord and Savior. I understand that I can do nothing to earn Your favor; it is a gift. But I can’t follow You half-heartedly. I must submit myself to You as Lord over all my life and demonstrate that I mean it with a life of obedience. Then I know that if I believe You and Your Word, that my position in Christ is secure. You are my Father and I am Your child forever!
Further References for 1 Corinthians 1:30
Rom. 3:24; Col. 1:14; John 8:12; Jer. 23:6; Isa. 45:25
