As I was sitting in the airport in Sydney on Sunday, waiting for my flight home and having breakfast, I listened to Ps Tony’s message he shared at Church Sunday morning. I was stirred and encouraged to write this blog in support of His message, especially in the day and hour we are living as believers.
A believer’s life is often marked by inward and outward transformation in the journey of faith. The Scriptures provide a robust framework for understanding the qualifications of one who professes faith in Christ. At the heart of this transformation is the move from merely professing belief to living a life that mirrors the principles and virtues of Scripture.
There is this confusion, if you like, concerning being made Righteous in Christ Jesus versus bearing fruits of righteousness. Ephesians chapter four challenges believers to shed the old self and embrace a renewed spirit and mind.
“But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV
This is a call to a life of sanctification, a concept further expounded in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 and 5:23. We are urged to abstain from immorality and to be preserved blameless in Spirit, soul, and body. By this, we begin to live in true righteousness and holiness.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
In Romans chapter six, Paul confronts the misconception that grace may be a license to continue in sin.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” Romans 6:1-3
He clarifies that those baptised into Christ have been baptised into His death. Thus, we should walk in the newness of life—a life that resonates with the Spirit of resurrection articulated in Romans 8:6. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
1 Peter 4:1-5 calls for stewardship of grace, living with the end in mind, where each believer will give an account to the One who is ready to judge the living and the dead. This stewardship is also about presenting oneself as an instrument of righteousness, as advised in Romans 6:13-15.
“And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” Romans 6:13-15.
Romans 6:22 reminds us of the beauty of being free from sin and becoming slaves to God, resulting in sanctification and eternal life. This sanctification is a journey of walking by the Spirit, as noted in Galatians 5:25, and not gratifying the desires of the flesh.
In Psalm 15:1-4, David portrays the character of one who may dwell in the Lord’s sanctuary. It is someone who lives blamelessly, speaks truthfully, honours others, and keeps their promises even when it hurts.
“LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;” Psalm 15:1-4
The apostle Paul warns Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:16-17 and 2:19 to avoid godless chatter and to stand firm on the solid foundation of the Lord, knowing those who are His. In Galatians 5:16, he instructs believers to walk by the Spirit to not gratify the desires of the flesh.
In bringing these scriptures together, we derive vital takeaways for the qualifications of a true believer:
Takeaway #1: Righteous Joy and Integrity:
A true believer finds joy in righteousness, which reflects God’s character and is committed to living an integrity-filled life.
Takeaway #2: Renewal and Transformation:
Believers are called to a continuous process of renewal, shedding old patterns and embracing a life that is aligned with the Spirit’s transformative power.
Takeaway #3: Purity and Holiness:
The journey of a believer is one of pursuing purity and holiness, recognising that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are to Honour God with our entire being.
Takeaway #4: Stewardship of Grace:
Our lives are to be stewarded in light of God’s grace, understanding that we are accountable for how we live out the grace we have received.
Takeaway #5: Sanctification as a Lifelong Process:
Sanctification is an ongoing process of being set apart for God’s purposes, evidencing the fruit of our salvation in everyday life.
As believers, our qualifications are not determined by a worldly standard but by a heart and life transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let these scriptural truths be the bedrock of our identity in Christ as we walk the path of faith, reflecting His light and reality in a world needing His love.
This blog was inspired by Ps Tony’s message at Faith Legacy Believers Church on the 7th of April, 2024. You can watch the full message below.
Thank you Ps Tony for reminding us of those essential foundation stones that underpin our Christian walk. When our foundations are anchored in ‘the Rock’ we can weather the storms of life. Paul’s inspirational valedictory proclamation is evidence of a life lived on those sure foundations.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me on that day, but not to me only, but to ALL who have loved His appearing.”
As we pay careful attention to our foundations and eagerly await the catching away of all true believers, we can be sure that our crown of righteousness awaits.