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 are not given just to remove the guilt of sin and give eternal life; they are given to deliver the believer to the fulfillment of God's purposes.

Fruitfulness requires dying

That which prevents fruitfulness in God's purposes is the self-centered nature of fallen mankind. A sinful nature in man prevents the love that produces good fruit. Jesus spoke of the solution for this: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-25). Death is required for fruitfulness to occur. As for a grain of wheat, so too for a person. While Jesus said this in a literal sense about Himself, for He was about to be crucified, He said it in a figurative sense to His followers about the death of the natural man and his fallen nature, so that a new man, a spiritual man, will arise to eternal life and fruitfulness in God's kingdom. The pathway for this to occur is identification with Jesus Christ in His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension into heaven. Referring to this, Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24-25).

Predestination

The Bible uses the word "predestined" to show God's predetermined purpose for His people. It is not used to show who God's people are, 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; "predestined" 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 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. 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 whether some can get off. Election encompasses the matters of who is chosen to get on the bus, and 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.

God's predestined plan is for a fallen person, alienated from God and gripped in sin, to find deliverance from such a condition through Jesus Christ and His cross. Scripture shows this path is predestined by God.

Destined according to God's wisdom

Paul the Apostle uses the word "predestined" in the first letter to the Corinthians. He 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 through Jesus Christ, and this to God's glory. This is the wisdom of God, "ordained before the ages for our glory."

Destined through the cross

Again, the word "predestined" is used (or a translated form of it) 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.

The fallen nature of mankind, a nature of pride, rebels against the concept of guiltiness in sin, of the judgment of God, and of the need to repent and die to self. The witness of Jesus to these things caused the world to gather against Jesus and put him to death. But they nevertheless unwittingly fulfilled God's plan to put a path in place for the redemption of mankind.

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."

God's plan shows the path of redemption requires a conforming "to the image of His Son." This is the image of one who willingly took up His cross and died. In His resurrection, Jesus is said to be "the firstborn among many brethren." God's plan is for "many brethren" to follow Jesus in this path.

Destined to adoption through Christ

The book of Ephesians uses the word "predestined" 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.

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 in 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 in 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 ends 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 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 of 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 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."