Lesson 134 – When the Spirit Saves

1 Corinthians 6:11

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

This verse gives us a vivid word picture what salvation through faith Jesus Christ means for the believer. By the touch of the Spirit, God changes us from the way we were. Once we were on the path which was not of the kingdom of God, but now, according to God's grace, the Spirit changes our souls to make us new in Christ.

According to this verse, three doctrines define the life of the believer. These are three things we receive from God, not because of righteousness in our life, but because of God's great mercies in sending the Spirit. Clearly, no one is deserving of God's grace.

First, believers are those who have been washed. Simply put, we are made clean by the Spirit's presence. No longer is our life contaminated by sin's stain. Our sins are removed, just as surely as if they have been washed away. This is a cleaning that only God can give.

Second, believers are said to be sanctified. Again, this rings true to washing, but also carried the idea of healing. It is not just that our sins are scrubbed away, but with the Spirit's touch, we are made well. This is a supernatural healing of God, and its only possible where the Spirit dwells.

Finally, we've been justified. A believer's relationship with God is made right because they inherit Christ's holiness. Our relationship is restored so that it is just as if we had never sinned. With the Spirit's presence within, we no longer need to hide in guilt. Instead, we're invited into God's presence.

There is certainly no need to be intimidated by doctrinal terms, for in these terms, we learn the truth of our salvation. Too often, people try to be right with God on their own terms, when all we need to do is look to what our Lord has already told us.

LORD JESUS

Lord, I thank you for the Spirit's work in my life and in the life of your church to make us all new in Christ. Amen.