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Living By Grace

Lesson Three: The Work of Christ

Sometimes when we talk about being "saved", we think it only means the right to enter into heaven. While this is true, heaven is an important part of our salvation, there are many other promises that come with the saving work of Christ.

Colossians 1:15-20

According to verse 20, the blood of Christ purchased our salvation. But there is also another important thing mentioned in this verse. It says that Christ died "to reconcile all things". Keep this in mind and lets look at a couple of other verses.

Ephesians 1:7-10

In verse 10, there is another interesting phrase that we don't hear very often. It says that Christ died to "bring together". So if we put these two verses in context, an important part of Christ's work besides allowing us to enter into heaven, is that He also "reconciles all things" or "brings together".

But what exactly does Christ bring together? Well, the verse from Colossians says "all things". That would include:

  • Bringing us together with God
  • Bringing us together with our fellow man
  • Bringing us together with ourselves
  • Bringing us together with nature

    So, with this in mind, we can give this definition of salvation.

    Salvation is the reconciliation of all things in Christ.

    Jesus came to reconcile man and God-to bring us back together. This coming together also carries over into other parts of our lives. Once we are right with God, this affects our relationship with others, with nature, and even with ourselves.

    Think about these things that Jesus cured because of His death and resurrection:

  • Your family
  • Your emotions
  • Your mind
  • Your eternal life
  • Your physical body
  • Your work
  • Your integrity and character

    Once last verse before we close. Read Phillippians 3:12-14.

    This verse teaches that even though Christ bought all these things for us with His death, we won't experience them all right away. In God's eyes we are considered holy and perfect. We are allowed into heaven. This is called Justification. But these other things, such as the changing of our emotions and intellect, will take place day by day and year by year. This is called Sanctification. Another way to look at this is that some things have already happened, some things have not yet happened, and some things are in the process of happening.

    As we close, let's look at the following list and see if you can decide which one describes something that has already happened, something that has not yet happened, or something that is in process.

  • Your sins are forgiven
  • You are an adopted child of God
  • You have a new body
  • You will not die a physical death
  • There is a new heaven and a new earth
  • You love your neighbor
  • You understand truth
  • You live a just and holy life
    Questions

    1. What did Jesus do to obtain your salvation?
    2. What is a definition of salvation?
    3. There is justification and what else?

    ©1998 Pomona Youth Chapel/Pastor Tim Shultz