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Part 4 - The Application of Faith
Fruitfulness in Christ
To speak of the sanctifying work of Christ is to speak of God's purpose. God
created the universe including mankind with a purpose in mind. This purpose
preceded creation. The creation account is used in the Bible as a model of
Christ's sanctifying work and the purpose God has in creation. This points
to a new creation that is the work of Christ: the
creation of a people for God. To sanctify is to set apart, and Jesus has set
apart those who come to Him. This setting apart is not just a deliverance
from sin and death; it is a setting apart unto the purpose of God.
Jesus Christ is the way, or agent, through which the purpose of God is
fulfilled. The Bible states of Jesus Christ, "For by Him all things were
created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were
created through Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16). Jesus Christ is central in
fulfilling the purpose of God. All things were created "through Him" and
"for Him."
The Scripture states, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"
(Eph. 2:10). The believer was created for good works. He is called to serve
God and fulfill His purposes. God "prepared beforehand" that in Christ Jesus
the believer should walk in good works. The Scripture also speaks of Jesus
Christ "who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless
deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works"
(Titus 2:14). This is the believer's calling and is not optional. God's
workmanship is the conforming of the believer into the image of Christ.
God's grace and mercy is not given just to remove the guilt of sin and give
eternal life; it is given to deliver the believer to the fulfillment of
God's purposes.
Predestination
The Bible uses the word "predestination" to show God's predetermined purpose
for His people. It is not used to show whom are God's people, but
rather where God is taking them according to His purpose that was
purposed before the foundation of the world. The word "election" concerns
who; "predestination" concerns where and how. It is
important as the people of God to understand that He has a purpose and plan
for His people. This plan was not improvised during the course of human
history. It was not altered by the fall of mankind. God has a purpose for
mankind that was devised before creation. Those who are joined to it find meaning and fulfillment in
existence.
A simple illustration showing the difference between election and
predestination is a city bus moving along its route. A sign on the front of
the bus shows its destination. This is set and will not change. All those
boarding the bus at various points will be brought to that destination. There
is a purpose involved with the bus. It is not just meandering meaninglessly
through the city. There is a destination planned for it. Those choosing to
board the bus have no say in where they will be taken. If one does not want
to go to that destination then he simply chooses not to board the bus. Now election concerns
who is on the bus. There is debate on who can get on, or even on whether
some can get off. Election encompasses the matters of whom is chosen to get
on the bus and on who chooses to get on the bus. This is entirely removed
from the matter of predestination which is concerned with where the
bus is going and how those traveling will be taken there.
Destined through the cross
The where and how of God's purpose is fulfilled in and through
Jesus Christ. The first place that the word "predestination" is used (or a
translated form of it) is in Acts 4:27-28 which states, "For truly against
Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate,
with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do
whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done." This is
in reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This was no accident but
was a necessary part of God's plan and purpose. It is a key part in how
God's purpose for mankind is to be fulfilled. The book of Revelation speaks
of Jesus Christ as being "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"
(Rev. 17:8). God's predetermined plan for His people involved the death of
Jesus Christ on the cross.
Destined to adoption through Christ
The book of Ephesians uses the word "predestination" to also show God's
purpose: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined
us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good
pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He
has made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:3-6). Here God's predetermined
purpose for His people is clearly stated: Their end destination is to be
children of God in a relationship of holiness and love. This is the primary purpose of God in creating mankind.
Secondarily, this end is to be accomplished through Jesus Christ. God's
people are His children by adoption through Christ. This is the only way in
which they can be holy and without blame. Because God's purpose is
accomplished through Christ, all this is to the praise of the glory of His
grace.
Destined through grace to the glory of God
The purpose of God in predetermining the destiny of His people is again
stated in Ephesians: "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things
according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ
should be to the praise of His glory" (Eph. 1:11-12). Predestination
concerns the plan of God for where He is taking His people. This is
"according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the
counsel of His will." Predestination is not about a specific
destination for any one individual, whether eternal life with God or eternal
separation in hell. It is about the destination that God has planned for His
people as a whole. This is predetermined and who joins in with that plan is
another matter. God's purpose is accomplished solely by grace in and through
Christ. There is no other choice for God's people on where they end up as
a group and how they arrive there. The reason for this is
"that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory."
The Scripture earlier stated, "to the praise of the glory of His grace." God
predetermined that it is only through Jesus Christ that one is saved, "that,
as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.' " (1 Cor.
1:31). That salvation comes about through the grace of God brings glory to
God, not to man.
Destined to be conformed to the image of Christ
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Jesus lived the perfect life of love
and in His resurrection was accepted by the Father into heaven. This is
God's chosen path to come unto Him, a oneness with Christ and a conformity
to His love. The blood of Jesus Christ covers the imperfections of His
people, but nevertheless God's destination for His people is the love of
Christ. God's purpose for a relationship of love is shown in the book of
Romans: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He
foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His
Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He
predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also
justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified" (Rom. 8:28-30).
The place of being "conformed to the image of His Son" is the place of
perfect love. This is the end destination for God's people that is
"according to His purpose."
Destined according to God's wisdom
The sixth place in Scripture where the word "predestination" is used is in
the first letter to the Corinthians. Paul the Apostle writes, "But we speak
the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained
before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew;
for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Cor.
2:7-8). The English word "ordained" is the translated form of "predestined."
Regarding those who crucified Him, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for
they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). Jesus asked forgiveness for
those who crucified Him because they of necessity could not know what they
were doing, "for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory." God's plan and purpose required the cross. In it is found the wisdom
of God. This passage is expounding on the scriptures in chapter one where
the wisdom of God is shown to be found in the message of the cross and in
the person of Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote in the first chapter, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who
became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and
redemption; that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the
LORD' " (1 Cor. 1:30-31). The wisdom of God in bringing His purpose to pass
is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Scripture states, "For
since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it
pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those
who believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). The wisdom of man did not reconcile him to God,
neither did man's strength or riches. God isn't depending on man's wisdom,
strength, and resources for mankind to come into a right relationship with
Him. God's wisdom is that mankind would come to Him through God's
wisdom, strength, and resources by grace, and this to God's glory. This is
the wisdom of God "ordained before the ages for our glory."
God's plan realized through Christ
For the Christian, fruitfulness in Christ comes as the where and
how of God's purpose is fulfilled. Where is the place of being
conformed to the image of Christ, an image of God's love. How is
through the redeemer Jesus Christ. The overwhelming love of God,
demonstrated through His Son Jesus Christ, is the basis for mankind's love
toward God. The Apostle John wrote, "We love Him because He first loved us"
(1 John 4:19). The work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life is to testify
of Jesus Christ. Love is the fruit of the Spirit as one considers and
believes upon who Jesus is, what He is, and what He has done. Love comes
from abiding in and knowing Christ.
That which prevents fruitfulness in Christ, and specifically love, is
self-centeredness. Legalism is one form of self-centeredness. Legalism looks
to one's own strength and resources but upon doing so ignores Jesus Christ.
Those who attempt to gain holiness and righteousness through their own effort
are seeking their own glory, but "he who glories, let him glory in the
LORD." The believer is called to die to self and to find God to be all in
all. The self-centeredness that caused the fall of mankind is ended upon the
cross according to the wisdom of God.
To come to Christ as a believer requires an acceptance of His finished work
of redemption rather than dependence upon one's own work. It requires faith in Christ rather
than reliance upon one's own wisdom. It requires receiving in Christ a new life through
His Holy Spirit. It requires bowing the knee to God through the lordship of
Jesus Christ. To come to Christ involves an automatic rejection of one's
own strength, wisdom, and resources. In this is regeneration. However this
is just the beginning of a lifelong learning process in which the believer
continues to learn not to trust and rely upon himself. Fruitfulness in
Christ comes as this lesson is learned and the believer relies upon God by
resting in Christ, putting faith in Christ, and living in the life of Christ
through His Spirit. In these things God becomes "all in all" and is
glorified. This is the destination that God has predetermined for His
people.
"Present yourselves"
Having addressed the truth that transforms in the first part of Romans
chapter six, Paul the Apostle continues with the practical application of
the truth. The believer is called to serve God and His purposes and must
present himself to God's calling.
Paul asks the Roman believers, "What then? Shall we sin because
we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to
whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom
you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to
righteousness?" (Rom. 6:15-16). Freedom in Christ is not freedom from
being a slave, but rather freedom to choose to what or whom one is to be a
slave to. Jesus Christ provides a separation from the dominion of sin in
order that one may become a slave to God and thereby to His righteousness.
The alternative is slavery to sin (and this unto death). This is a choice to
be made. As Joshua said to the Israelites, "And if it seems evil to you to
serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether
the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River,
or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my
house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). God had delivered the
Israelites from bondage to Egypt and then they had a choice on whom to
serve. As seen in the separating work of Christ, the rule or dominion of
sin over a person has been broken by Christ when such a one comes to Him in
faith. This is a work of God toward a believer. The believer has a part to
play also, that being the presenting of himself to the master whom he will
serve. The choice is sin or God. Apart from Christ, there was no choice. The
unregenerate are in bondage to sin with no escape. With this bondage broken
by Christ, one is free to choose his master. To that which he gives himself
over to serve, that is what will rule over him. As Paul says, "whether of
sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness." The call of
God to join Him in His kingdom and to serve Him is not prevented by ability,
for it is the work of Christ and His ability that enables one to come to
God. The call of God is only rejected by those who choose to give themselves
over to something else.
Slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness
Paul says of the Roman Christians, "But God be thanked that though you
were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to
which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became
slaves of righteousness" (Rom. 6:17-18).
He continues: "I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your
flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and
of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as
slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you
were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the
things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death"
(Rom. 6:19-21).
Jesus Christ brings liberty. This is the liberty to choose, a liberty
which did not exist in the slavery to sin. "For when you were slaves of sin,
you were free in regard to righteousness." Liberty in Christ must be
carefully exercised, for it is liberty to choose one's master. God desires
for all to follow and serve Him. He has a purpose for those
who will. This is the consecration aspect of sanctification, the reason for separation. To accept this is to "present your members as slaves of
righteousness for holiness."
Fruit to holiness
The practical effect of faith in the sanctifying work of Christ, both the separation
that He accomplished and the purposes of God that He has delivered each
believer over unto, is next mentioned: "But now having been set free from
sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and
the end, everlasting life" (Rom. 6:22). To rest in the
work of Christ, to place faith in Christ that that work applies to oneself,
and to abide in that place of separation in Christ is to have "fruit to holiness" and everlasting
life. This is not only positional sanctification but also experiential
sanctification. To apply God's word such that the fruit of love is produced
is what the Apostle Peter referred to when he said, "Therefore, brethren, be
even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these
things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
(2 Pet. 1:10-11).
The purpose of God is fulfilled in the love which is the fruit of abiding in
Christ. This love is expressed in two main ways by the church, the body of
Christ: outward from the body, and inward within the body. Outwardly, God's
main purpose is love toward Him in a personal relationship with Him. Also
outwardly is love toward the lost that they also may come into a saving
relationship with God. Inwardly the church is to have a special relationship
with the Head, Jesus Christ. This is love to Christ as Redeemer, Mediator,
and Intercessor. Inwardly also is love to the other members of the body. The
next four pages focus on each of these aspects of the fruit of love. God's
people are "predestined" to this fruitfulness according to God's purpose.
The calling of the church to love the lost by sharing the light of the
gospel, to love God in worship and fellowship, to love the body of Christ
through ministries of edification, and to love Christ as Redeemer and
Husband is not a calling devised after the coming of Christ and the
formation of the church. It is a calling to God's purpose that was devised
"before the foundation of the world."
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