BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

This week concludes a look at the doctrine of the Christian life, exploring how the Bible and theologians define the Christian experience. This doctrine study has centered on an examination of terms describing the Christian life found in scripture. This week, the terms redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, new birth and sanctification will be examined.

Redemption

The term “redemption” means to “buy back,” or “to acquire an object or person by giving something in exchange.”

Consider Isaiah 40:1-2: In speaking of Jerusalem, the prophet Isaiah said that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sin. All that Israel has gone through is more than enough for her punishment.

Yet, theologian George Adam Smith noted the phrase, “She has received double.” He added, “Very unusual that Israel has suffered more than enough to pay for her redemption.”

In Job 19:25-27, in the midst of all his trouble, Job is saying, “I know that my redeemer lives and shall stand upon the earth.”

I am so grateful that God will at last come to judge me as just and pronounce over me: Victory! God lives and stands as His redeemer even in trouble. The price has been paid by Christ for our liberation (the word in Greek, “luo” means to loose). See Mark 10:45. How appropriate is the quote from Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Tom was sold from his good master to a tyrant. “Tom, you are mine now, body, mind and soul. You will live my life, think my thoughts, I am your god.”

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is not just forgiveness. It is the decisive act of God in Christ that makes forgiveness possible and restores relationship.

Consider 2 Corinthians 5:19, “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” Scottish theologian John Oman writes in Grace and Personality, “We should believe in another life, because being reconciled to God, we find a meaning in life which is ever expanding and the purpose death cannot just end. This is not just an eternal personal relationship that promises us heaven but having met God our life is reconnected. We are reconciled to what God appoints in life.”

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is that attitude in the mind and heart of a wronged party which abolishes the moral hindrance to fellowship and creates the condition whereby fellowship may be established. Forgiveness is a removal of the moral barrier to fellowship.

Twentieth Century preacher Leslie Weatherhead said, “Forgiveness is the most therapeutic influence in the world. Forgiveness is almost an unbelievable mystery.”

In the book of Micah, the prophet asked, “Who is a God like thee?” He is talking about forgiveness. He passes over transgression.

D. L. Moody added, “Imagine Peter given the commission to all the world. “Lord to everybody?” “Yes, Peter! Go search out the man who spat on me, I’ll forgive him.”

Consider these verses: Isaiah 1:18, “Come now let us reason.” Daniel 9:24, “The Lord to make an end to sin.” Psalm 32:1-2, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.” Ezekiel 33:13, “Remember our sin no more.” Isaiah 38:17, “God casts our sins behind His back.” Psalm 103:12, “Far as east from west.” Micah 7:18-19, “God casts our sins into the depth of the sea.”

In the New Testament, there are three basic words for forgiveness: to lose, to give, to send away. God at His pleasure forgives the life of a sinful person. Christ may sometimes take the rod rather than the golden scepter. The believer may someday learn to kiss the rod that beat him/her.

New Birth – Regeneration

Theologian Paul Tillich says, “As times change the biblical analogy of our faith is expressed in different ways. Today the ‘new birth’ actually is the most dominating analogy of the day.”

Consider John 3 and Titus 3:5. When a new baby is born with all its strength it is trying to say, “I’m a new person, don’t forget me.” Don’t lose the dimension of the miracle in the new birth.

Sanctification

Just as justification was the counterpart of being right with God, sanctification is the counterpart of the holiness of God. Justification is God’s turning man to Himself. Justification is “I will be your God.” Sanctification is “you will be my people.”

Saints are those set apart for God’s purposes and ends. Be what God designed you to be in life. Sanctification has been looked at largely as either perfection or futuristic. When we are saved we are holy—set apart—we are saints. It is not just that which we are moving toward. We are set apart and handle the struggle of being set apart.

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 9:13-141; Thessalonians 4:32; 2 Timothy 2:11; and John 3:2-3

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