Reformation

Walking in Spiritual Reality by Relating with God through the Lord’s Atonement 

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

The LORD is our atonement for sin. His obedient death on the cross reconciled man back to God, restoring the fullness of the covenant relationship lost in the Garden of Eden due to sin, disobedience and assertion of independence from God. His ultimate love and sacrifice satisfied God’s wrath.

RELEVANCE

As we have been united together in the likeness of His death, we have, likewise, been united with Him in the likeness of His resurrection. We, therefore, have a new capacity to resist the tendencies to sin. We have the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit.

As a result, sin no longer has to have dominion over the believer, for we are under the law of grace. Therefore, it is up to us to walk in the newness of this new life in the LORD. If we stumble, we repent, turn to God’s way and receive God’s forgiveness without condemnation.

Such freedom, however, does not give us license to keep walking in self indulgence. In fact in the LORD we have been raised to a higher standard of moral excellence and accountability.

Therefore, we “submit to God” and “resist the devil” by drawing near to God, purifying our heart, and apprehending the LORD’s thoughts by the Holy Spirit.  (James 4:7 and Philippians 2:5) By this we allow the Holy Spirit to transform and "re-form" us by His grace as God the potter forms the clay. This was the concept behind Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:2-- "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

In addition, by reckoning to be dead to sin and alive to God, we can redirect our thoughts and actions, and serve our fellow man in the “newness of the Spirit.” (Romans 6:5-6 and 7:6) 

In teaching believers how to express gratefulness to God for His love and precious promises, Peter encouraged believers to cultivate the LORD’s divine nature—character traits above and beyond basic faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.  

Peter spoke more on the value of allowing the Holy Spirit to keep us diligent and disciplined in order to grow in the knowledge of God and live fruitful lives. He admonishes us to, “prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.”  (2 Peter 1:10)

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

Having received the LORD’s atonement, in what ways do you think you can diligently pursue advancing your walk with Him to be a partaker of His divine nature?

What fruits of the Spirit’s character traits do you regularly bear?

Which of these character traits will you ask God to manifest in your life to a greater extent? 

In what ways can you see yourself growing further?  

REFERENCES

Romans 5-7; 2 Peter; Philippians 2:5-15; 2 Corinthians 4; 1 John 

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Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked JNT taken from the Jewish New Testament. Copyright © 1979 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from New Living Translation Holy Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.