The Gospel of God – Part 2
The Sovereign God devised the Gospel, He declared it through Types and Shadows. Through the Prophets He defined it and by His Son He purchased it, by The Spirit He “quickens” and activates it.
But there is a human side, two Principal Elements exist.
The challenge to our soul … “when The Spirit comes …” John 16;8 the “awakening” to our consciousness can be a deep shock, the enormity of Sin and our lostness, the eternal chasm between a Holy God and sinful, limited man … Romans 3;9-24.
The Acts Of The Apostles demonstrates the reactions to the confrontation with Gospel reality … Acts 2 those “being saved” were “cut to the heart” and “received the Word gladly”. Acts 2;41, those who were personally, deliberately damned were also “cut to the heart” but murderous in their response. Acts 7;54 (a half hearted, a false gospel will always meet with a lukewarm response) in Acts 16 Paul speaks to the devout women and “the Lord opened their hearts”. The true Gospel penetrates the heart first.
The change to our life … 1 Thessalonians 2;13, the Thessalonians received the Word as it is … The Word of God, merely declared or conveyed to man. The initial “entrance of The Word” into the heart of man, is nourished and grows there and refines the heart, the emotions and fortifies the will, Ephesians 3;14-18.
As yielded vessels to the challenge of the Gospel there are four sequential, progressive responses that take place within the human heart and soul
1. Realisation/Repentance – Indivisible
The Work Of The Spirit is to bring realisation within us of the gravity of our sinful state, which brings about a repentant, remorseful state … “remorse” is not enough, that is the sorrow for sin, repentance actively turns from sin, it’s therefore not surprising that remorse is not mentioned as an integral part of the conversion process, but active turning from sin in repentance is.
2. Redemption – Interactive
Our trust alone in the Atonement of Jesus Christ is registered in Heaven, our names are written in The Lamb’s Book of Life, and the Witness of The Spirit, (Romans 8;16) witnesses with our awakened, quickened spirit (Ephesians 2;1) that we are born again (John 3)
3. Release – Internal and Eternal
From that initial quickening we are progressively built up in our most holy faith (Jude 20) nurtured in The Word of God, the apostles doctrine and obedience to it. 2 Peter chapter one talks about the “adding to our faith” of godly values and virtues that keep us productive and away from spiritual barrenness.
4. Relationship – Intimacy
The ultimate desire of God is that we become as a Bride, knowing Him intimately, thoroughly, loving Him passionately, and serving Him wholly.
This Conversion process is progressive, walking with God is not an illusion or some mystical fabrication of a poetic, romantic, ethereal mind. It is the Abundant Life of John 10;10, the satisfied life, that reaches beyond the mundane existence of a Christ-less desert and is unutterably and eternally glorious.