November 10, 2018
The great miracle of Christianity is that there is a fundamental change that occurs when we come to faith in Christ. In fact, there are two changes that happen to a believer that are both internal and external.
“This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says, ""And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)
EXTERNALLY
... the work of the cross is applied to our lives. Because of Christ's sacrifice which paid for our sins, we are eternally forgiven for our sins before God that allows us to live in “peace facing God” (Romans 5:1-2). The work of the Savior on the cross occurred to accomplish this very miracle!
INTERNALLY
... no one can live up to God's standard. But God transforms those who believe by sending His Spirit to indwell us. As we learn to depend more and more on Him, He produces righteousness and holy living in us. He produces spiritual fruit and service through us. As Paul says, “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives through me” (Galatians 2:20)
We are internally able to fulfill the law because it is now ""upon our heart"" and written on our minds. There is an inward compulsion to holiness and an inward ability to overcome sin (as we will cooperate with the Spirit inside of us) that we never had before. We are changed from the inside out.
The first change makes a believer fit for heaven; the second, fit for earth. Hallelujah for such a Savior!
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