Abiding Faith In Christ

We are saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. "You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus"(2 Timothy 3:15). The Holy Spirit, who inspired the Holy Scripture, uses the message of the gospel to bring abiding faith into our lives. It is faith that abides in Christ.

Those who are born again have three abiding gifts of the Holy Spirit. "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love"(1 Corinthians 13:13). Now we have faith in Christ. We have hope in Christ for the future. We have the love of God in Christ forever (Romans 8:38-39).

Those who are born again abide in Christ through the gifts of faith, hope and love. All who are born of the Spirit, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, experience these three gifts. These gifts of the Spirit are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

Abiding faith is time tested and proven. It will be mocked by the scoffer. It will be threatened by life situations. Nevertheless, faith that abides in Christ will not change with the times, break under pressure, nor fall into unbelief. 

Abiding faith stands upon the truth of God. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Faith that abides is based upon Holy Scripture. The Bible is the testimony of the apostles and the prophets to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How God Cleanses Us

Martyn Lloyd-Jones explained from First John 1:6-10, how God cleanses us from sin. He taught, "It is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from the guilt of sin; God has made the provision and He applies it. We are called upon to walk in the light and to confess our sins."

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin (First John 1:7). Our continued fellowship with God is based upon the blood of Jesus, as we walk in the light of Christ, confessing our sins. To confess our sins is to agree with God that we have done wrong. Cleansing comes from the blood of Jesus when we confess our sins.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones insisted that God is the one who applies the blood, as we confess our sins. He stated, "God has made the provision and he applies it." We are not dependent upon a priest, pastor, or anyone else to apply the blood of Jesus. It is God alone who applies the blood of Jesus, based upon our confession.

When we confess our sins, the blood of Jesus cleanses us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (First John 1:9). Faith in the word of God's promise receives forgiveness and cleansing. Then, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones taught,"It is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from the guilt of sin."

How to Be Transformed

Be transformed in Christ. God transforms our mind, will and emotions. He transforms us from within. Before we were transformed in Christ, we were conformed to this present evil world. Transformation is a change in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

"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" (Romans 12:2).

Be transformed through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The word of the gospel is the instrument for this transformation. The Holy Spirit is the agent who transforms us (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Knowing Jesus as our Lord is the result (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3).

Be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:8). The Holy Spirit works through the gospel of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:5). No one could ever be transformed without the Spirit of God working in us. This transformation is by the Spirit of God changing our hearts.

Be transformed in Christ to understand the things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). We are enabled to see and believe the truth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit transforms us in mind, will and emotions. New birth transforms us in Christ, by the grace of God to the glory of God.

Is Jesus Your Surety?

"Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant" (Hebrews 7:22). A surety is a guarantee. In Bible days, the word surety was used to describe someone who guaranteed another person's debt would be paid. All of us have a sin debt to God. The good news is Jesus paid it all. Your surety of salvation is Jesus Christ alone.

We all have a sin debt to God. We have broken God's law. Our conscience testifies as much. As your surety, because Jesus paid it all. You look to the cross of Jesus, where He died in your place. Your sin debt to God's justice was paid, not in part but the whole. You are free from a debt that you could never repay. 

Jesus is your surety to the promises of God. In the new covenant, God makes four promises to every believer, guaranteed through Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13). These promises are: (1) God will put His laws in your mind; (2) God will be your God and we are His people; (3) We will all know the Lord; (4) God will forgive your sins and remember them no more.

Jesus is your surety in the gospel. He died for your sins. He is risen from the dead for your justification. We are children of God by faith in the Lord Jesus (Galatians 3:26). Jesus intercedes for believers, that the Father will "keep them from the evil one" (John 17:15). This is the present day ministry of Jesus, as every believer's High Priest (Hebrews 7:20-25). Jesus shall return to glorify all who believe in Him (1 John 3:2). Your surety must be in the Lord Jesus Christ.