The Truth About Grace by John F. MacArthur

Author:John F. MacArthur
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2012-03-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 4

GRACE REALIZED

Because justification is by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone, here are the personal realities.

SALVATION IS LIFE

Paul asserted, “Even when we were dead in our transgressions, [God] made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5 NASB). The saving transaction begins the moment God gives spiritual life to a dead person. It is God who makes the first move. Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). Of course! The unsaved are dead, incapable of any spiritual activity. Until God quickens us, we have no capacity to respond to Him in faith.

When sinners are saved, they are no longer alienated from the life of God. They become spiritually alive through a miraculous, God-wrought union with Christ. They become sensitive to God for the first time. Paul calls it “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Now they understand spiritual truth and desire spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:10–16). Now they become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). They can pursue godliness—“the things above”— rather than “the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2 NASB).

This new life is “in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). He is our life (Colossians 3:4). “We . . . live with Him” (Romans 6:8), in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:5). Our new life is actually His life lived in us (Galatians 2:20). It is utterly different from our former life and the supreme manifestation of God’s sovereign grace.

FOR GOD’S GLORY

“[God] raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6–7 NASB). Salvation has a particular purpose: that we might enjoy and display His glory, showing forth the riches of His grace (Romans 9:23).

Our new citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). God raises us up with Christ and seats us with Him in the heavenly places. We no longer belong to this present world or its sphere of sinfulness and rebellion. We are rescued from spiritual death and the consequences of our sin. That is pure grace.

Note that the apostle describes this heavenly life as if it were already fully accomplished. Even though we are not yet in full possession of all that God has for us in Christ, we live in His domain, just as we formerly lived in the realm of sin and death. “Heavenly places” clearly implies the full sense of God’s dominion. This expression cannot be read in a way that makes His lordship optional.

To dwell in the heavenly domain is to enjoy full fellowship with the Godhead. It is because we dwell in this realm that we enjoy God’s protection, His day-today provision, all the blessings of His favor. But no one dwells there who still walks according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and under the control of the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience.

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