Our Heavenly Prize

The gospel comes to us not only in word but in power. It does not merely tickle the ear nor is it meant to please our delights–but it affects our heart by the Divine power that accompanies it. By this, we know of our election which is God’s specific calling to certain individuals. John 15:16 (ESV) further explains:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.

Romans 8:28-30

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.

We feel the influence of the gospel in our heart. It comes by way of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that gives life, not the words on the page. We do not read or recite a sinner’s prayer and get saved. It is the power of the Holy Spirit in the words of God that saves and we know it because our heart feels it. It bears witness to God’s gospel message.

Our salvation comes with much assurance–we are fully convinced of the truth of it. We experience the movement from dark to light and John 8:12 tells us that Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16). If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17). We have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

We begin to progressively change! And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). The things in this world begin to pale in comparison to Jesus Christ. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God (Rom. 8:17-19, NASB).

We begin to imitate our Lord and Savior just as Ephesians 5:1-2 tells:

Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2; ESV).

None of these heavenly gifts happen by our own strength. We cannot will nor manipulate these magnificent changes in our heart. We begin life in iniquity and it is up to God to save us from our sins and trespasses.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience–among whom we all once lived in the passion of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:1-10).

We have joy in Christ! You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11).

I end with Romans 5:6-11

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die–but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Simply put by the Reformation Study Bible:

We are saved by God from the wrath of God in order that we will live for God.

What is the chief and highest end of man? Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever (The Westminster Larger Catechism). We cannot do this until God softens our heart in order to receive His Son Jesus Christ.