One Trait at a Time: Resting in Christ’s Saving Grace
Wisdom Scripture
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Wisdom Quote
By the standards of worldly wisdom, the gospel message is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:23), but “Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). Paul repeatedly emphasizes the superiority of the wisdom of God over human wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1–3 (1 Cor. 1:26–31; 2:1–16; 3:18–20).[1]
[1] Nettelhorst, R. P. “Wisdom.” Ed. Douglas Mangum et al. Lexham Theological Wordbook. 2014. Lexham Bible Reference Series.
Insights: Trust in Christ’s Work on the Cross
Trust in Christ’s Work on the Cross
Your Father’s love is expressed by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish his supernatural saving work on a wooden cross.
Finished. On the cross, Jesus completed the work of salvation. He cried out, “Tetelestai. It is finished” (John 19:30). Because of the high price he paid for your redemption, you have no work to do to earn God’s forgiveness. You receive salvation as a gift from God (Rom. 4:4–5), who justifies the ungodly. Christ’s love compels you to grow in him.
Forgiven. Not only does God forgive all your sins the moment you trust in Christ, but he continues to forgive your sins. When you sin again, Christ forgives again. As you seek to grow in character, you will fall. Don’t despair. Freshly receive Christ’s forgiveness. He bled on the cross to cover all your sins—past, present, and future.
United. There’s a core truth that has been missing for many Christians, even those who have attended church for decades: union with Christ. The moment you trust in Jesus, you are united with him. He lives in you, and you live in him, as a branch abides in a vine (John 15). Union with Jesus empowers you to grow in Christlikeness. Because Jesus lives in you, you can be confident that he will lead you toward godly character. Change is possible because Christ lives in you.
Raised. You have been buried with Christ, so you are dead to sin. You have been raised with Christ through your faith in the working of God (Col. 2:12; Rom. 6), and you now have Christ’s resurrection power to live for God. You can experience Jesus more and more fully. In Colossians 1:28–29, we see that Christ gives you divine energy that powerfully works to bring you to full maturity.
Trust in Christ’s gracious work on the cross that fully saves you, and choose to abide in him as a branch abides in a vine. Because of your union with Christ, commune with him ever more intimately.
