A Profound Transition
Have you ever experienced a profound transition?
There are a few life transitions that stick out in my mind. When I went off to college and watched my parents pull away for the very first time, I realized I was no longer directly supervised by an adult! A few years later when Jen and I were married and getting our first jobs, we realized the responsibility that comes with being an adult. And then a few years after that when our first child arrived, life changed completely!
I don’t remember exactly when, but at some point, it hit me—salvation is an incredible transition point.
In my growing up years, I trusted Jesus to forgive my sin. I knew I was going to heaven when I died because Jesus’ death on the cross paid for my sin, but I figured I needed to buckle down and try really hard to obey God’s laws. Part of the problem with this thinking is that I don’t need to be a Christian to try really hard to follow a set of rules. Another problem is that I was relying on my own strength instead of finding my life and strength in Christ.
This formula spells defeat for any Christian.
As believers in Christ, we are not simply forgiven, although that is a necessary and important aspect of salvation! As believers, we have been brought from death to life and transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of the Son of God’s love. In Christ, we have been brought from Satan’s authority to having authority over Satan as we submit to Christ.
In Ephesians 2, Paul describes our situation prior to trusting in Christ Jesus. He says, “you were dead in transgression and sin.” Paul is not talking about physical death, but rather he is stating that we are spiritually dead. He continues to say, “you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (verse 2, NIV) Being spiritually dead, we were literally under the authority (kingdom) of the enemy of our souls.
But the moment we put our faith in Jesus, a significant change occurs. Paul goes on to tell us that God, because He is rich in mercy and love, “made us alive together with Christ… and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (5-6).
Talk about a profound transition!
The Apostle Paul says it in different ways in other letters.
“For many… walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly… with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:18-20a, ESV)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4, NIV)
And one of my personal favorites, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin.” (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)
The gospel is a powerful, present reality. By this, I mean that the promise of life in Christ is not simply having our sins forgiven so that we can go to heaven when we die. Rather, it is life in Christ starting the very moment you trust Him as Savior.
With that life in Christ, we are spiritually placed in a position of honor and authority with Christ.
The truth of this transition is often undercut by people relying on how they feel or think about themselves in light of their performance. But the reality is that right now, you are seated with Christ in the Heavenly places—a position that you did not earn but was bestowed on you through Christ.
Dear Saints, don’t let anyone tell you nothing happened the moment you were saved. You can walk free of the sinful desires promoted by the world, the flesh, and the devil. You can walk free in Christ as you take God at His word and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you day by day. You have been crucified with Christ AND raised up with Him to everlasting life, starting the moment you believed.
This is a profound transition. Let’s walk in the truth of it