Here is how it happens. When the Spirit of God works savingly through the Word of God in a person’s life, God regenerates the heart (i.e., He gives him new birth), making him a new creation. As a new creation this newborn Christian recognizes his sin and turns to God for forgiveness. God enables Him to believe the Word. This is always the case (John 6:37). This belief is what God uses to bind or unite someone to Christ. It is through this union that we then experience the benefits of Christ’s work. We are considered righteous because we are now able to inherit Christ’s righteousness. It is imputed to us or considered effective in our life. We are not just innocent, but positively righteous. Moreover, since Christ is life (John 14:6), once we are united to Christ, we inherit abundant, eternal life from Him (John 6:39-40).
— Ben Peays, Gründungsdirektor von The Gospel Coalition (TGC)
Related Bible passage: JHN.6.37
Topics: Grace & Redemption, Discipleship
Occasions: For Reflection
Ben Peays
Der US-amerikanische Theologe und Verbandsmanager Ben Peays war von 2007 bis 2019 der erste geschäftsführende Direktor des reformiert-evangelikalen Netzwerks The Gospel Coalition. Er trug maßgeblich zum organisatorischen sowie medialen Aufbau der Plattform bei und vertritt eine schriftzentrierte Theologie im reformierten Rahmen. Bibellesern begegnet er heute vor allem durch theologische Kurzbeiträge und Impulse zu Themen wie Gnade, Wiedergeburt und Gemeindeleitung.
It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was love.
Max Lucado
Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.
Philip Yancey
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers
God counts on your failure far more than you do yourself.
Hans Peter Royer
Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller