CONSIDER YOUR CHANGE -- Monday:
" And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor 6:11)
What has happened to the people of God is marvelous to consider, and strengthening to contemplate. In the case of the Corinthians, some (praise God, not all) of them had been fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners (verses 9-10). But they were that no longer – in any sense. They had been "washed" from the contamination of moral and spiritual defilement, and were clean. They had been "sanctified," set apart for God after having been made suitable by His grace. They had been "justified," cleared of all guilt, and given the righteousness of God. All of this had been done "in the name," or on the behalf of, the Lord Jesus Christ. It had also been accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, and not some self-help program.
The consideration of the change that has been wrought in believers brings all manner of spiritual benefit to them. It is an activity that causes despair to wilt and boldness to come to life. The well of thanksgiving is unstopped when we ponder such things, and praise erupts like an unstoppable volcano of expression. The wake produced by such considerations causes efforts for the Lord to multiply and spiritual growth to leap out of the restricted boundaries of institutionalism.
The transitions that are made by those who are born again are staggering. It will be most profitable to consider some of them. It will at once become evident to you what a power these thoughts exert over the soul.
Those in Christ have "passed from death unto life" (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14), alienation (Eph 4:18) to reconciliation (Col 1:20), and enemies (Rom 5:10) to sons of God (1 John 3:1-2). They are shifted from NOT being a people to being the people of God (1 Pet 2:10a), and NOT obtaining mercy to obtaining it (1 Pet 2:10b). Believers are "delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col 1:13), and from darkness "into His marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9).
Once they were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1), but now they are made alive together with Christ (Eph 2:5). They were "enemies in their minds by wicked works" (Col 1:21), but now serve the law of God with their minds (Rom 7:25). Formerly their ways and thoughts were not those of God (Isa 55:8-9), but now His law is written on their hearts and put into their minds (Heb 10:16). They were once as sheep going astray, but have "now returned to the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of their souls" (1 Pet 2:25). In the past they had "no hope" (Eph 2:12), but have now been begotten to a "living hope" (1 Pet 1:3). In prior times they were "without God" (Eph 2:12), but now God dwells within them (1 John 4:15). Those in Christ were once "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel," but are not "fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God" (Eph 2:19).
Think of it! Before, we were "afar off," but have now been "made nigh" (Eph 2:17). We were "cursed" (Gal 3:10), but are now "blessed" (Gal 3:9). The wrath of God was abiding upon us (John 3:36), but now we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6). We were "children of disobedience" (Eph 2:2), but have now "obeyed from the heart the form of the doctrine delivered to us" (Rom 6:17). The "prince of the power of the air" once worked in us (Eph 2:2), but now it is God who works within us "to will and do of His own good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).
Once we were "dead," held within the confines of the condemning Law, but now we "serve" God "in newness of spirit" (Rom 7:6). Once we were "far off," but "are now made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph 2:13). It is written, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord" (Eph 4:8). We were "alienated and enemies in our mind by wicked works, yet now," have been "reconciled" (Col 1:21). Once we were slaves to sin (Rom 6:20), but now we have "become servants of God" (Rom 6:22). Before, we were "free from righteousness" (Rom 6:20), but now we are "free from sin" (Rom 6:18,22).
Now, in Christ, there is "no condemnation" (Rom 8:1). "Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" are possessed (Rom 14:17), and we can be "filled with all joy and peace in believing" (Rom 15:13).
Regardless of how long you have been in Christ, a great deal has happened to you by the grace of God. You do well to ponder your change often, giving thanks for what the Lord has done. Be like the grateful Samaritan leper who returned to give thanks. The Lord has done infinitely more for you than He did for that grateful leper. Give Him thanks!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank and praise You for delivering me from what condemns, and bringing me into what justifies, frees, and makes suitable to dwell in Your presence.