Note: If you are new to this blog, I suggest you start at post #1 ("Introduction") and work your way from oldest post to newest.
"The how of it"
One "instrument of conveyance" (p. 22) that God uses for giving us union and fellowship with Jesus is by revealing himself and his plans in the Bible.
1. Through the Bible, God makes known to us what Jesus is like and the fact that he is indeed in us.
[From the Bible][God] gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.Ephesians 3:8 New Living Translation[From the Bible]For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.Colossians 1:27 New Living Translation
2. Through the Bible, we know that salvation is free to anyone who chooses to trust Jesus.
[From the Bible]Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes on him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do.Acts 13:38-39 New Living Translation[From the Bible]If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. As the scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."Romans 10:9, 11 New Living Translation[From the Bible]God has raised up his servant Jesus and sent him to you first to bless you by turning each of you away from doing evil.Acts 3:26 New Century Version[From the Bible]This is a covenant not of written laws but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!2 Corinthians 3:6b, 8, 9 New Living Translation
There are two steps in being united with Christ—first, believing the Bible (like accepting the cup of wine to the lips).
[From the Bible]But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, "Lord, who has believed our message?" So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.Romans 10:16-17 New Living Translation[From the Bible]"I [Paul] became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you."1 Corinthians 4:15 New Living Translation
Then we need to tip up the cup and drink—that is, allow Jesus to come in.
[From the Bible]If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God reaised him from the dead, you will be saved. As the Scripture tells us, "Anyone who trusts him will never be disgraced."Romans 10:11-12 New Living Translation
Marshall: "Having thus explained the nature of faith, I come now to assert its proper use and office in our salvation—that it is the means and instrument whereby we receive Christ, and all His fulness, actually into our hearts" (p. 23).
We’ll get to this in the next post.
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