Jun 23 Devotion: Understanding the Christian Life

11).  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  12).  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.  13).  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of GOD, and wasted it:  14).  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous in the traditions of my fathers.  15).  But when it pleased GOD, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace.  16).  To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen: immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:  17).  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia. and returned again to Damascus.

                         GALATIANS 1:11-17 (KJV)

A change in both lifestyle and understanding should result from salvation (See Romans 12:2). Shortly after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul pulled away to Arabia for a time. Before he could start his ministry, he needed to learn from the Lord. Similarly, new believers coming into faith need to understand what salvation really means. Let’s look at some terms that help explain what is meant by “being saved”: 

• Born again (See John 3:3; 2 Corinthians. 5:17). Rebirth is a starting over. We become new creations in Christ, with new spiritual life and identity.

• Converted (See 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Converting something means changing it, like money that’s exchanged from one currency to another. The Christian life involves many different changes.

• Receiving Christ (See John 1:12). We often think of salvation as something God gives us, but it is more than that. When someone trusts in Christ, that person welcomes the Lord to live within his or her being.

  
  

Think about how you thought and lived before you knew the Savior, as compared with now. In what ways do you see genuine change? Ask God to reveal areas in your life where Christ could become more evident.

-IBC