Christians know that there is one God in three persons known as the Trinity: God, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. Each has their role and they work together in harmony. Along with the Trinity, a human must also do their part in order to live a Christian life leading to salvation.
It is God the Father who makes us eternally alive. I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself...For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (John 5:19-21) We can see in this verse how the individual persons of God work together. The Father makes us alive through Jesus and we have spiritual existence in the Spirit of God.
In His love, the Father regards humans enough to continue their life forever. In His desire to save humans, God uses His two strong arms...Jesus and the Spirit. God is not rebuilding the old creation. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:17-18) Everything we have comes from God and is far beyond our capabilities.
In some future day all things will be made new. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Pet 3:12, 13) How exciting to know that everything in eternity is available simply by our faith in God. Abraham is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-- the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. (Rom 4:17)
Having faith that the Spirit can live in us and direct our new eternal life, is certainly "believing things as though they were." We are being offered victory in this life for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) Our victory is certain because Jesus has already won it for us. All we have to do is continue in Jesus by our faith.
Jesus is the Son of God and all humans must go "through" him if they desire to reverse the death we are born into. Death reigned through that one man, (Adam) how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:17) This verse also points out that saving grace does not stand alone. Salvation also includes the reign of righteousness in a person's life. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation...and he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning (of our creation) and the firstborn from among the dead. (Col 1:15-18) We follow the Savior who was the first person to break free from the grip that death held on humans.
For some reason people tend to think there is nothing for them to be involved with concerning their salvation. Although Jesus provided everything for our salvation, we have a great responsibility to stand beside Him and render all cooperation. He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation -- if you continue in your faith, established and firm. (Col 1:22,23) Paul told us many times that we should be devoted to the work of Jesus. To make a long list of requirements short, the work of Jesus is Love.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. (Col 2:23-24) Most of us do not serve Jesus by thinking of the reward but it is certainly waiting for the faithful.
Paul said this in one of his letters, If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, (Phil 2:1) This connects the Savior with the Spirit in a loving way. Earlier mention was made of the individual persons of God working together. In this verse the Spirit brings us comfort from God as we serve. If we appreciate the love of Jesus then there will be spiritual fellowship in our life. If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:13,14)
You must allow all three persons of God to do their work in you.
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