Intro: Salvation is for the whole person not just an inner portion of a person. Christ brings the gift of salvation to both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life. Believers are being saved in terms of past, present, and future time by the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). When we call upon Christ for salvation, God forgives our past sin, empowers us with grace to follow the Spirit in the present, and prepares and equips us to be witnesses in the future as we look for Christ’s return.
As we obediently give our whole bodies and lives to Christ, he begins to live in and through us bringing salvation—Christ is God with us—and he is creating his righteous dwelling place IN human beings. The salvation Christ brings includes: peace and restoration between God and humans, peace between human beings, and peace between human beings and nature. Christ is the Prince of Peace—his peace is not the absence of conflict but rather wholeness—so he is always wanting to reconcile and restore lives and relationships (Isa 9:6).
God loves you! He calls you by name and he reaches down to touch your life with his saving goodness as each day he refashions you in his righteous character and image. This is a process of transformation in which human beings surrender to the purposes of God. To deny this transformation is to reject the salvation Christ actually offers. We must stop trying to live like we are our own god. So, live by faith and trust God’s plan for you. As you walk with the Spirit, you will experience more and more wholeness and the inexpressible joy found in God’s presence. It is all possible because Jesus brings us a right relationship with Almighty God.
1 Peter 1:8-12 NLT 8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the transformation you are bringing into the lives of your children as you dwell with us. We welcome the changes you bring, because we want to bring you the glory you so rightly deserve. Be glorified in us today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.