SALVATION
Your decision to trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the most important decision you could ever make. It will take some time to fully understand the significance of what has happened in your life. The purpose of this lesson is to explain the transition that occurred upon salvation and how your relationship with God has changed.
There are TWO spiritual families in the world: the family of Adam and God. Every person on earth belongs to ONE of these families.
BEFORE SALVATION, WE WERE “in Adam”; BY NATURAL BIRTH, MEMBERS OF ADAM” S FAMILY
Adam, the first man, was made in the image of God and was called “the son of God” (Luke 3:38), but when he sinned against the Lord, he died spiritually Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6-7, and became separated from his Father. Consider Genesis 3:23, 24.
All the descendants of Adam were not born in the image of God, but in Adam’s fallen sinful image Genesis 5:3. Because of Adam’s disobedience, the human race became alienated from its Creator, opening the door for Satan to begin his evil work “in the children of disobedience” (the lost) Ephesians 2:1, 2.
Satan rules this present evil world, and all men enter this world in the same condition:
SINFUL – inherited Adam’s rebellious nature: Romans 3:10-18 describes our sinful nature as God sees it. Romans 3:23 concludes, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
CONDEMNED – inherited a death sentence, “in Adam, all die” 1 Cor.15:22, Romans 5:12… Adam’s sin condemned all of humanity. Jesus Christ was the only one who could deliver us from that condemnation, John 5:24, 1 Corinthians 15:22.
LOST – we were born separated from God and needed to be “born again” 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4. Jesus Christ knew our lost condition and came to earth to save us. Luke 19:10
BLIND – we were born spiritually blind, Ephesians 4:17-18, I Corinthians 2:14. Jesus Christ came to open our eyes and give us the Light of His Word. Acts 26:16-18.
UPON SALVATION, WE WERE REMOVED FROM ADAM AND PLACED “in Christ.”
We supernaturally reentered God’s family the moment we received the Lord Jesus as our Savior John 1:12. We were reunited with God by the second birth, John 1:13, 1Peter 1:23, and John 3:3. In the regeneration process, we receive God’s own uncreated life into our spirit. God’s eternal Spirit permanently fuses with our spirit. As a result of our new birth, we are now the heirs of God. Carefully read Romans 8:15-17. We have inherited the spiritual blessings of sonship, which include the gift of eternal life:
“He that believeth on me hath (present tense) everlasting life….” John 6:47
“He that believeth on the Son hath (present tense) everlasting life….” John 3:36
“He that hath the Son hath (present tense) life…” 1 John 5:12 [all emphasis mine].
God has separated us from Adam’s family. We have been forever joined to the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 6:17 (birth is irreversible). Our body is now the temple of the Holy Ghost; He lives within us 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We are made free to serve Him.
We have a new life “in Christ” and are new creatures in God’s eyes 2 Corinthians 5:17, 18.
Our new family is NOT like our old family; our heavenly Father wants us to live a different life (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
OUR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Now that we are saved, God no longer deals with us as sinners but as sons. He is our heavenly Father, and we are His children. 1 John 2:1 says: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous.”
God’s relationship with His children is similar to the earthly relationship between a good father and his son:
A good father loves and cares for his children 1 Peter 5:7
A good father protects his children Matthew 18:6
A good father provides for his children Philippians 4:19
A good father teaches and comforts his children John 14:26
A good father disciplines his children Proverba 3:11-12.
A good father feeds his children Matthew 4:4
A good father has a plan for his children’s future Romans 8:28-29.
A caring, earthly father would NEVER do anything to hurt his children intentionally. He would only do those things to help his children grow and mature into what he wants them to be. Our Heavenly Father is perfect. Unlike natural fathers, who sometimes err, God never makes a mistake in His dealings with His children.
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:11.
It is ESSENTIAL to understand that our spiritual birth did NOT eradicate our inherent sinful nature. Unfortunately, it remains very much alive.
Therefore, all believers have TWO conflicting natures.
1 The old nature (the “Old man”), inherited from Adam, is antagonistic toward God; Romans 7:22-23 is sinful and rebellious.
2 The new nature (the “New Man”), animated by Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27 is God-centered, inclined to obey and please the Lord.
Both natures coexist in every true believer, igniting an inner struggle. The Lord motivates the “new man” to dominate, but the “old man” constantly distracts and resists. Our fleshly nature will continually oppose God and disobey Him if we let him. If we yield ourselves to the “old man” and his desires, we will continue to be under his power. On the other hand, if we learn to yield ourselves continually and entirely to the indwelling Holy Spirit, He will enable us to overcome our sinful nature and thereby please our heavenly Father; consider Colossians 3:5-10 & Romans 6:6-7 and verses 17-19.
INCREASED TEMPTATION
Since Satan is well aware of our vulnerabilities, you will notice (shortly after salvation) that temptations will now seem to be intensified. The enemy knows all too well the individual weaknesses of your old nature and will make every effort to use them against you. Every time you yield to the old man, Satan will accuse you, causing you to question your salvation. He will say such things as, “If you were truly a Christian, you would not have done that or said that; you are no different than before.”
Remember, Satan, is a liar (John 8:44). God knew that we would still be subject to sin after salvation; that is why 1 John 1:9 is in His word: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, immediately repent and confess to your heavenly Father; He has promised to forgive and cleanse you!
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby…” 1 Peter 2:2