Holy, righteous, good - all of Christ

Are believers really saints? Can we practice righteousness or holiness? Does Christ really see us in this light? The answer is, yes. We're reborn. Paul defines the unrighteous, what they do and how they act, and then he says, 

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
When it says "sanctified", this is what it means (taken from biblos.com):
hagiazó: to make holy, consecrate, sanctify
Original Word: ἁγιάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: hagiazó
Phonetic Spelling: (hag-ee-ad'-zo)
Short Definition: I make holy, sanctify
Definition: I make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify.

Total depravity (our standing before God) is overcome, here and now, by the flowing mercies in Christ Jesus. 

Here's an excellent article on all that we are in Christ Jesus: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-stupendous-reality-of-being-in-christ-jesus

Consider Romans 11:16, which references Christ as the root and believers as branches:

If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)
Christ is the root. If Christ is holy, then according to Paul, all those in Christ are made holy by virtue of being in Him. Christ said Himself, "I am the Vine; you are the branches". 

Let’s look quickly at the two words, “good” and “holy”.agathos = good
Reference: Ephesians 2:10; besides others
Definition: Intrinsically good, good in nature, good whether it be seen to be so or not. 

This goodness originates from God, and is empowered by Him. But in Ephesians 2:10 it says the Lord prepares good works for us to accomplish. He is a God of life and action, and He gives us actions to accomplish.

hagios = holyDefinition: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred.
References: 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Romans 6:19, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 11:16, 1 Corinthians 7:14, Ephesians 5:27

Again, this originates from God in that we become like Him, pronounced to be like Christ, set apart from the world because we are like Christ. This is what Christ has done: set us apart for Himself.

We submit fully to Christ. That’s what living righteously is all about: submitting fully and joyfully to Christ so that we can be used of Him. He works through us. We live in righteousness, we witness to others, and we present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God for the purpose of Christ’s exaltation and proclamation.

How would you define submitting fully to Christ? I would define it as something like “Here I am; Lord, send me!” When faced with His glory, our response is praise, worship and service.

Believers do not live rightly or do any holy thing outside of Christ. The ability to do anything in a godly manner comes from God, Who is goodness and mercy. This is the relationship:

We do good works (which God has laid out for us) by His grace in enabling us to do so. We do not do good works or live righteously because we want to "look good", or because we want to earn something; we do them because God has amazingly saved us, and it is a “reasonable service” to live our lives for the glory of God in whatsoever we do. We cannot earn what we already have. 

We cannot be righteous without Christ. However, with Him, we can. So the idea that believers can be righteous is cemented in the fact that Christ is the difference. Christ enables us to be so. God is in living, active relationship with us, right now. Christ is exalted and magnified by the idea that He has accomplished what He set out to do, finishing His work and revealing a people much changed by what He has done.

Why not go to Him? Cast all your cares upon Him. Cry out to Christ to change you, to wash you clean. We need constant reminders of the gospel, all day, every day. Christ came to save the needy, the broken, the sinful. He is the Great Physician, healing hearts and lives. Why not turn to Him? 

Total depravity: not the believer's reality

I have had discussions in the past concerning the doctrine of total depravity. I believe the doctrine of total depravity is true, yet I feel I must write concerning the doctrine's misuse*, especially when it comes to total depravity and believers.

What is total depravity?
The doctrine of total depravity as I understand it runs thus:

Because of the fall (Genesis 3), man is unable by or of himself to believe in the gospel of salvation. Man is from birth rebellious against God. He is dead, blind and deaf to the things of God (Matthew 13:13). His heart is corrupted, his will is bound to Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2), and his inclination is constantly towards evil (Genesis 6:5). This depravity affects man physically, mentally, and spiritually, so that every part (the total) is depraved.

Are believers totally depraved?
You tell me: according to the historical definition of total depravity, can believers properly be defined as remaining in this state? Are believers unable to believe in the gospel of salvation (Acts 15:11)? Then how are they believers? Are they rebellious against God? Then how are they united to Him (Romans 6:5)? Are they dead, blind and deaf to the things of God? Then how can they have a relationship with Him (Galatians 4:6)? Are their hearts corrupted? Then why does God say He has given them a new, clean heart (Ezekiel 11:19)? Is their will bound to Satan? Then why does God say He has set us free (Galatians 5:1)? Is their inclination constantly towards evil? Then why does the Bible say believers desire the heavenly (Hebrews 11:16)? Why do they seek to be Christlike?

In answer to the question, I say no, believers are not totally depraved. Total depravity is a pre-Christ state. It is what we were, not what we are. When we are in Christ, we are set free, changed, renewed, redeemed, forgiven, restored, adopted, sanctified, glorified, justified…the change is endless (1 Corinthians 6:11, Romans 8:30). We are a new creation. The old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are recreated in Christ Jesus. Reborn. We have the indwelling Spirit. We abide in the Vine. Our eyes are opened, our ears can hear, and our hearts can respond to the gospel.

Does this mean believers don’t sin? Not at all. We sin and struggle on every plane, physically, mentally and spiritually. The effects of total depravity still linger in us. But believers are not totally depraved. That is not our condition. Not according to the historical definition, which indicated and indicates unsaved people. The doctrine of total depravity is not meant to define Christians, but to define humanity. We have a new existence in Christ Jesus. God sees us differently in Christ than outside of Him. Christ makes a difference - a major one. We have to consider our familial reality.

We still speak of being totally depraved in terms of acknowledging one side of the coin, which is our dependency upon Christ in all things. We are weak. But the reality is that, not only do we as believers depend on Christ for everything, but Christ fulfills every dependency we have! He is our strength when we are weak. This is why we are pronounced clean. This is why the epistles declare believers saints, not sinners. Our identity is changed. God has removed us from our sin, separating them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He has drowned our sins in the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).

The believer's reality
Our reality is settled in Christ. The ability that we have been given is only by God’s grace in enabling us to do the good works He has foreordained (Ephesians 2:8-10). He has called us to act in righteousness, and He provides the way for us to do so. My ability to be good is not some sort of apart-from-Christ merit. Apart from Christ we can do nothing – but this implies that in and with Christ, we can do something.

We are the Body of Christ. Christ works through us in order to bring about His will on earth. There is an intriguing relationship between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. People pray for the salvation of a friend, and when the friend is saved they glorify God, not thinking that their prayer was the means, yet their prayer was the instrument God used in order to bring about His sovereign will in saving the friend. This is a glorious truth: God includes us in His plan and purpose. He is active in relationship with His people. He moves and creates and speaks and involves us. He allows us to participate in doing good works for His glory. That’s why we share the gospel or serve others in love: not to “be good”, but because God is good and He has allowed us a part to play.

Live, then, in the light and the joy of this reality. Live every day as though God has a plan and a purpose for you - because He does! He has plans for you far beyond what you can imagine. He is with you every moment. Christ does not forget about you, not even for a second. Leave the hours and the minutes of your life in the hands of the Sovereign God Who has pronounced you clean, Who has declared you worthy to be a steward of His righteousness, a messenger of His glory, a child who is welcome and loved. Leave your doubts and your confusions, and even your certainties, with the all-wise Saviour, Who knows you better than you know yourself. Look to Jesus, and be ready.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:21-22 ESV)


*I don't doubt that I have misused the term in the past; this blog is an attempt to correct my own errors as much as to address the errors of others.

"Pain is not the fruit of pain"

I've wondered sometimes why God calls us through pain. It is, of course, a question that I cannot answer, because God has not revealed the host of His knowledge or the extent of His plan and purpose to me. I rest in His character, in what He has revealed, and what He has promised. I know that whatever pain I go through is for a purpose, for my good and for God's glory.

I know I should not be surprised when a fiery trial comes upon me. It is not something strange, but I treat it like it is. I fear pain, I hate pain, and if I could I would probably escape pain every time.

Yet, when it comes to the existence of pain, when it comes to the reason why God allows us to suffer, I think I know a part of the answer. God's intent is my gain more than my suffering. The dross is purged and purified through the fire. God means pain for something more than just pain. As Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, pain is not the fruit of pain. Something else springs up out of it.

Understanding. Understanding costs something. It costs the death of my selfishness. It costs me my inability to relate to others. It grows compassion in me. I know that when I have gone through terrible things, those who have helped me and encouraged me and lifted me up the most are those who have gone through terrible things as well. I know that I am better able to minister to someone who is struggling because I have struggled. I can say, "I know what you're going through. I understand", and from that standpoint I can begin to encourage and reach out with the gospel.

Patience, too. Because I have been there, I can better understand someone's frailty, and therefore I am more patient with them as they struggle over wounds old and new. The ultimate blessing for me during times where I sat helpless, willing the tears to stop falling, yet being unable to dry my eyes, it has been the patient comfort of others that eased my heartsickness. Suffering has most definitely taught me patience in more than one way. For physical pain, I have learned and continue to learn that sometimes there is nothing you can do but wait until it eases. It's the same with all pain, really. Sometimes it goes away quickly. Other times it takes days.

I have constant pain in my shoulders. It is not debilitating, but it can be frustrating. Sometimes the pain flares into something a bit nastier, and I become grumpy or useless for a day. Yet I think this pain that I have has helped me to deal more patiently with others who suffer daily pain at a greater level than my own.

Gentleness. We are so fragile. We are vessels of dust holding the breath of life in tenuous bodies. Praise be to God, He knows our frame. He never forgets, but we do. I do. I treat others roughly a lot more than I ought to. The pain that God has allowed into my life has taught me something about gentleness. Deal with others carefully; you don't know everything they are going through. God knows the thoughts and hurts of men, yet He is kind, patient, and merciful, not dealing with us according to our sins or punishing us according to our iniquities.

Ultimately, pain teaches me something more about grace, because I know that Jesus suffered the ultimate pain for me. He took my sin upon Himself so that I could be free, redeemed, sanctified and justified before the Father. He took my sin so that I could be adopted into the family of God, being able to call God "Father". He suffered pain for my sake as an expression of love, in the greatest sacrifice in the history of the world. His pain bore the most important fruit: salvation.

Fruit of the Spirit

Oh how I need these. All the time. Right now.

Love

According to the Greek definition, this actually means a love which centers in moral preference. Preferring another above yourself. Acting for them whether or not it is beneficial to you. It's self-sacrificial love.

This love says, I could live for myself, and do what is best for me, but because I love you I prefer to help you, to see that you are blessed.

Joy

Literally meaning "grace recognized", this is the fruit of the Spirit that acknowledges God's favour. This living joy is the awareness of God's grace. God has done so much. He has given us His favour, and to recognize that is to be joyful. It means saying, "no matter what is going on in my life right now, I know that You, Lord, have given me Your grace. I know that You are with me, and so I am content."

Peace

Another fruit that stems from the knowledge of grace recognized. Peace literally means "wholeness", as in all essential parts being joined together. When we recognize the grace of God in our life, that He is with us, that He governs our lives according to His infinite mercy, it becomes very difficult to worry or fret.

Patience

Long-passion. This means waiting a long time before expressing anger. Not flying off the handle. It means saying, "I could let my temper go right now, and give you a tongue-lashing fit for the dictionary example, but I will not. I will restrain myself."

It means avoiding a personal reaction, taking the time out to consider the circumstances without dwelling upon personal wounds. According to biblos.com, it is being "long-tempered".

Kindness

Kindness, as my pastor always says, is love with hands and feet. It is having time, and talents, and it is using the time and those talents to serve others with a compassionate heart. Being kind is being well-fit for use. For obeying the command of God and offering service to others. It means being helpful.

Goodness

This is talking about a personal quality of goodness. It emphasizes the kindly side of goodness rather than the righteous side of goodness. Goodness, again, means acting in a way that is beneficial. It is evidenced in spiritual excellence, which is in itself evidenced in the virtue of kindness.

Faithfulness

This is having faith, being persuaded to believe that God is God. According to biblos.com, it is a divine persuasion, involving human confidence. God reveals Himself, and faithfulness means being confident in what He has revealed.

Gentleness

The concept of gentleness, when you really think about it, gives the idea of restraint. As in, "I *could* crush your bones, but I won't, because I love you". It is restraint and self-control. It is care, like a mother caring for her newborn, or someone handling a thin glass vase, or a gardener tending to fragile little flowers. Gentleness, as an idea, does not mean weakness. It means power that is kept under control.

Self-control

This really means self-domination. It is mastering yourself, so that you can be patient rather than exploding in a temper, or you can be gentle rather than crushing someone's bones. It proceeds "out from within oneself, but not by oneself". As God gives us the grace to love, and reveals Himself so that we may be joyful, so He enables us to control ourselves so that we do not cause harm, dissension, or bitterness. He helps us control our malicious leanings. He helps us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

May God grow this fruit in me!