Foundations Study - The Christ Centered Life Lesson 18 & 19 February 10, 2002
2. Transformation that takes place on becoming
a Believer 6:17-22
#1 of a new position with a new master;
New Servant hood v.17-18
- What you were is contrasted with what you became, What you now are!
If there is anything that is true of
everyone who has ever lived it is that they are slaves of something!
The issue here is not whether we are servants but whose
servants?
Going back to vs:17 we'll find out how this
change of master came about!
"you
became obedient from the heart, [wholehearted, genuine, real, not just
external going through the motions] to
that form of teaching to which you were committed,"
Next aspect of the
transformation of the believer
#2 there is a difference of conduct; v.19-20
- again contrasts our conduct before the cross
with our conduct after the cross.
- There's an analogy here between before and
after the cross; indicated by the just
as; so now
What is the difference between the 2? The just as and
the so now?
Before
the cross; its deeper and
deeper into sin/lawlessness
After
the cross; its deeper and
deeper into sanctification; growing and
maturing as a believer.
#3 There is in the transformation of
Believer; New benefits; v.21-22
vs:21 before the cross - under the old servant benefit is
death
vs:22 after the cross - benefits are sanctification; eternal
life
vs:21 the
fruit of sin is death.
vs:22 What
a contrast. What a difference that God's Grace has made!
3. The Summary 6:23
The proper and fitting compensation for sin is death!
What's the counterpart to wages? free gift ca,risma grace gift!
Some Key Concepts
Pertinent to Positional Truth
1. Positional Truth is the Foundation for Growth and Change in life.
Positional truth then means that we share in
all that Jesus is in His person and we share in what He did and will do, its His Work.
Therefore being identified with Christ:
(1) As He died unto sin, so we too have died unto sin. Rom.
6:2,3
(2) As He rose from the dead, so have we. Romans
6:4,5
(3) As He is seated at God's right hand, so are we. Ephesians
2:6
(4) As He is the Son, so we are now sons by faith. Gal. 3:26
(5) As He is eternal life, so we have eternal life. Rom. 6:23
(6) As He is perfect righteousness, so
we have His righteousness. Phil. 3:9
2. The Nature of Our Position in Christ as Believer's
3. Our Position in Christ is Perfect and Complete
We lack nothing (cf. Eph. 1:3
and Col. 2:10)
Positional truth means at
least three wonderful facts for every believer:
(1) He totally surrounds you; you are enveloped by His life. Col.
3:3
(2) Your position is protected from any and everything that is
hostile or dangerous. Romans 8:34-39
(3) He supplies you with every possible need for life (Eph.
1:3; Phil. 4:19; 2 Pet. 1:3; Heb. 12:1)
4. Our Position in Christ is Eternal and Permanent
There is nothing we can do to lose it (John
10:28-29; Rom. 8:32-39).
This is evident from the fact that the
carnal believers at Corinth are viewed as permanently set apart, sanctified in
Christ (1 Cor. 1:2).
5. The Wealth of the Believer's Position in Jesus Christ
A.
As to Christ's PERSON:
Being in Christ we share in the following:
(1) As He has perfect righteousness, so do all believers. 2 Cor. 5:21
(2) As He has eternal life, so do all believers. 1 Jn. 5:11-12
(3) His eternal destiny becomes the destiny of all believers. Eph. 1:4-5, 10-11
(4) As He is the Father's Chosen One, so all believers are chosen
ones. Isa. 42:1; Eph. 1:4;
(5) As He is the Son of God, so all believers become sons and members
of God's family by adoption and by regeneration, the new birth.
John 1:12-13; Eph. 1:5; Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:2
(6) As He is the Heir of God,
so all believers are heirs of God. Eph.
1:14
(7) As He is the Great High
Priest, so all believers are all priests of God. 1 Peter 2:5