THE FACTS OF LIFE - FROM PAUPER TO PRINCE

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ^{I Peter 2:9}"

Have you ever wondered what being born into royalty must be like?  Whether it be as a Saudi prince or English queen, it's difficult for a commoner to imagine the privileges, celebrity and lifestyle such a birth might endow.  Well, we need not wonder any longer because that very experience awaits any and all who place their faith in Christ, the King of Kings. (II Timothy 6:14-15).  Among other things, every believer, at the time of salvation, becomes a member of a "chosen people, a royal priesthood and a holy nation" I Peter 2:9)   From a practical standpoint, one which we will study more at length later on, the new birth set us free from both the penalty and power of sin.  (John 8:36).  If, for some reason, you weren't aware of this fact of life, then let's take a closer look in preparation for some deeper truths of God's Word later on.

At this point, we're about half way through this series and it's a good time to briefly review what we've studied thus far.  The theme of this series, "The Facts of Life", refers to facts about the basic, fundamental tenets of the Christian life.  It is an overview of the Christian experience from a which emphasis the practical application of these facts to our daily lives.  We've also seen that in Scripture, God uses analogies to help us understand unfamiliar spiritual truths by comparing them to experiences we have in the material world.  One of those analogies uses the process of human birth and growth to exemplify and explain some of the most profound facts about our spiritual life in Christ.   Starting at the moment a new believer is born again, through understanding and accepting the Gospel message, a whole series of marvelous events take place, sometimes with, but often without, experiential awareness.  While it's true that an individual often experiences the emotion of joy, relief or even sorrow at the realization that his sins are forgiven, much of what transpires at the moment of the new birth is of a legal nature, rather than experiential.  Let me illustrate this with a short story. 

A few years ago, I had an opportunity to return to the Amazon jungle of Peru, where I had worked for almost two decades as a missionary.  During my two week stay, I had occasion to visit a woman, Maria, whom I had known since her early childhood.  As a child, she suffered from a serious heart defect which required open heart surgery.... and soon!  So, when it came time for me to return to the States on furlough in 1966, I made arrangements to take her to the Houston Medical Center in Texas for the procedure.  God did many miraculous things during that period of time but, here, it suffices to say that the operation was a complete success, Maria returned to her family in Peru, eventually married and was enjoying a very successful career by the time I returned for my visit. 

One day, Maria and her husband, graciously invited me to their home for a sumptuous dinner consisting of all my favorite Peruvian food.  After dinner, while basking in the cool evening shadows, the conversation took on a more curious turn when Maria asked me if I had ever thought about living in Peru after retirement.  I confessed that it had entered my mind but found the expense would be prohibitive so, I would have to content myself with an occasional visit.  Then she said something which jolted me right out of my chair!  "Well", she said slowly in Spanish, "if you ever decide to come back, you can always build a nice home on your jungle property". 

Even before I had ever set foot in Peru, I had studied about the Amazon basin and was complete enamored of that marvelous rainforest.  Then, after spending a few years ministering in that region, I confess that the thought staying there after retirement had entered my mind on more than one occasion.  Now, to my great surprise, I was being told that it was now a very real possibility.  Incredulous, I sprang to my feet and, with Maria's smiling ear to ear, excitedly questioned her for details.   As it turns out, after Maria's marriage, she and her husband had purchased a large jungle properly a few miles outside of town as an investment.  Then, out of gratitude for my efforts in arranging her surgery, she deeded a portion of her property to me.   However, she had never mentioned it to me before so I was completely unaware of my good fortune.  All this time I had owned a small piece of Peru, my heart's desire, but it meant nothing to me since I didn't know about it.  It was mine legally but I could not enjoy and celebrate it until I learned about it and then appropriated it for myself.

This is a good example of what happens to a believer at the new birth.  A whole series of legal transactions take place as he or she is transformed into a new creation (II Cor. 5:17).   As such, the new believer then becomes, legally, a child of God (John 1:12), member of the family of God (Ephesians 2:19, I John 3:1-2), a brother or sister to Christ (Romans 8:29), joint-heir with Him (Romans 8:17) of an inheritance reserved safely in heaven (I Peter 1:4, Colossians 1:12) and we are raised up and seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  (Ephesians 2:6).   All this, and more, is granted to the new believer as part of his or her new standing in Christ.  But  the joy and happiness attached to all these blessings are absent until we first discover what is ours to enjoy now and what awaits us in the future.  For more details on this subject, use this link: STANDING

BIRTHRIGHT MIGHT:   But our legal standing in Christ, as wonderful as it is, is only half the story of our birthright in Christ. There are also powerful benefits given to us her and now, through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.  Among the many things that take place during the moment we appropriate God's promise of salvation, is the infusion of eternal life through the instrumentality of God's Holy Spirit.  Again we see the important analogy that the Scriptures make between spiritual life and physical life.  The Bible uses the term "new born" to describe the believer as a new spiritual entity, created by His Holy Spirit and now enjoying, for the first time, a new, eternal relationship with God as our Heavenly Father.

We've already seen from the discussion above that when an infant is born into the family of God, a whole series of benefits are conferred on it.  Even though the baby is not aware of it at the time, those benefits, some of which are legal and others relational, become the right of every Christian to exercise.  Remember, legal benefits can include such items as an inheritance, a trust, property, title, name, etc. and depend on the child's standing in the family.  Relational benefits, on the other hand, depend on the interaction of child and parent while growing up in the family.   It is during the crucial period growth from infant to adulthood that the relationship between parent and offspring is developed and enjoyed.  Specifically, the values, hopes, dreams, expectations and myriad other qualities are passed from parent to child by example, training, teaching and command. The quality of this relationship can vary enormously, as human experience reveals. But although the state of that relationship may vary from abysmal to wonderful, the child's legal standing in that family always remains the same.

This too is an apt picture of the Christian life! Upon acceptance of Christ as Savior, the believer is born into the family of God. Then, because of his or her new standing as a child of God, receives legal benefits as part of the believer's birthright, all by the Grace of a righteous God.  Only then, can this same believer, previously lost and separated from God, begin to enjoy the state of blessing provided through a new personal relationship with his Heavenly Father. Notice, the first is a new declarative standing in the sight of a righteous God, while the second is a relational state with a Heavenly Father. The first is permanent, inviolable and dependent on God's declaration while the second is transient, changeable and dependent upon the believer's obedience to the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Right this moment, God has made available to you and to me a power which is great enough to transform us into the image of Christ Himself.  First of all, it's important to truly believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within you continuously (Romans 8:11)  The sooner you believe that fact and act upon it, the quicker you'll enjoy the power He brings into your life.  What do I mean by "act upon it"?  Well, the most fundamental act we can perform is that of hospitality.  Since He dwells within us, act like it.  Talk to Him, acknowledge His presence when you are alone or with others, don't ignore His presence by acting as if He doesn't exist, consult with Him as you make decisions, thank Him for God's blessings and, most importantly, rely on Him for His gifts, power and grace. We'll explain more about this reliance on the Holy Spirit in the coming lesson called "The Great Put-on".  But for now, begin a fresh, new attitude toward Him today and practice good hospitality. I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19.

Although we'll take this up in a future study, here are just a few of the benefits available to you right now through the indwelling Holy Spirit:  He empowers us for witness I Corinthians 2:4; strengthens our new nature Ephesians 3:16; gives hope Romans 15:13; gives us righteousness, peace and joy Romans 14:17; enables us to understand and apply God's Word II Timothy 3:16; he teaches and helps us remember all spiritual truth John 14:26;  comforts John 15:26; he assures us that we are God's children Romans 8:16; empowers us to resist the desire of the flesh Galatians 5:16; vitalizes us Galatians 5:25; is the source of love, joy, peace, etc. the fruit Galatians 5:22-23; empowers God's word as a sword Ephesians 6:17; helps us when we are weak and intercedes for us according to God's Will Romans 8:26; he explains spiritual realities to us I Corinthians 2:12-13; reproves and corrects us through Scripture II Timothy 3:16.  In a subsequent study, we'll learn how to experience all these benefits.

QUESTIONS

1. What are four of the attribute given to the believer at the time of the new birth? I Peter 2:9

2. For what purpose were we given these attributes? I Peter 2:9

3. Write down a list of benefits conferred to the believer at the time of the new birth, the family of God as found in the following verses.  
Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:29, Philippians 4:21, I Corinthians 1:2, Hebrews 2:11

4. What is one of the important results of our new birth into the family of God according to Ephesians 1:5-6?

5. What are some of the benefits conferred on the new believer which can be enjoyed now Ephesians 3:16, I Corinthians 2:4, Romans 15:13

6. Read II Timothy 3:15-17 followed by John 14:26 and comment on the collaboration we must share with the Holy Spirit to grow in Christ.

7. What does it mean when Christ said He will make us free John 8:36 

8. When you honestly don't know God's Will in a matter, what is the collaborative step you should take with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26

9. Make a list of the 9 attributes described as "fruit" which should be manifested in our lives through us by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23.

10. Now, read the next two verses (Galatians 5:24-25) and jot down the two behaviors needed for this to happen.

11. In your own words, what does it mean to "walk in the Spirit"? verse 25.  See also Galatians 5:16

12. Into which category does "walking in the Spirit" fall, the believer's standing or state?

13. Describe in your own words the difference between the believer's standing and state.

Practical Homework:  Refer back to your list on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 and put a check mark next to those that still need growth in your life.