THERE are three phases to the Christian Life. We are saved, being saved, and will be saved. That is – at the point of cross, coming to faith in Christ, we find deliverance from sin’s condemnation – “saved.” But it does not stop there. Now in Christ we are “being saved” – delivered daily from sin’s dominion as we grow in grace and faith; and then finally “will be saved” completely when we enter into our Lord’s presence from this earthly realm, completely delivered from the affects, power and presence of sin.
SO, there is a three-part aspect to this drama we are living out. It is displayed throughout the narratives of Scripture. Consider just one, that of the Children of Israel delivered from Egypt’s slavery, yet the journey of deliverance ensued throughout the desert experience until the entry into the promised land.
THIS theme is repeated over and over again in Scripture and our physical surroundings. We live and move within this three-part drama (1Cor 13:13). Walk out into the garden and you will observe it manifest in nearly every growing thing! It is a habit of mine to look for this three-part theme or rhythm, and so note it whenever it reveals itself in all its varied forms in Scripture and in Nature (Psalm 19).
IF you are curious, here is another little mnemonic device I use to tag this particular discovery. …The next time you drive by an Edison right-a-way and view a high voltage distribution tower, count the number of power lines you see. Three! That is because from the power generator to the distribution system, the electrical system is design as a three-phase power system; those three phase lines working together to balance the flow of power and its usage throughout the power grid. You will not necessarily see all three phases coming into your neighborhood or home, but if your place of business or factory makes use of high power usage equipment, all three phases will be in play. Now I could go into a long explanation as to why this is, but that engineering necessity is not important here. So what is my point?
WELL, for this modern marvel of electricity to work, it must have this three phase balance in its circuitry, and when plotted on an electrical drawing or diagram, the symbol of the descriptive word “phase” is “ø” i.e.: ø1, ø2, and ø3, identifying each phase of the circuit diagram. Care to guess where I’m going with this? … In my Bible, if you were to look, you would see “ø1, ø2, and ø3” noted in various passages, in many texts and narratives. And I keep adding them, every time I see this three-part pattern repeated. It is a mnemonic device I use to draw my attention to this precious truth of the Christian Life. In the plan salvation, authored by the Father; executed by the Son; and applied by the Spirit – we experience a three-part delivery from sin noted above – I’ve been delivered, I am being delivered, and I will be delivered from the world of sin that surrounds me and within me. I love being reminded of this three-part movement whenever I open my Bible and see one or more of my inscribed three-point markings. It is a blessed doctrine that makes the heart rejoice. I pray yours too. It is what our author this pointing us to in Romans Eight Reckoning – Part 2
Again, may the Lord bless your reading and Spirit enabled comprehension. See if you can spot ø1, ø2, and ø3 in his discussion below. Two are fairly self evident, but all three are there in his presentation.
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa 30:15, Jas 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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Chapter 47—Romans Eight Reckoning – Part 2
There is actually a dual application in the truth of Romans 8:1 and 2. Concerning the future, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has freed us from the eternal condemnation of the law of sin and death. As to the present, the Holy Spirit ministers the life of the Lord Jesus within for our daily walk, progressively freeing us from the power of sin and the deathly influence it spawns. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more (certain), now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered. from sin’s dominion) through His (resurrection) life” (Rom. 5:10, Amp.). We are saved from the condemnation of sin because of His reconciliation; we are delivered from the power of sin because of His life.
Especially in our early years as believers, most of us have felt that it was our responsibility, with the Lord’s help, to live the Christian life. Our unqualified failure in attempting to do so has been the Holy Spirit’s means of showing us that we cannot “produce,” nor are we meant to. Only the Lord Jesus can live His life through us; and He does this as we reject our own resources, to walk in reliance upon the Spirit of Life. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4). This is the addition we noted in verse 1 of the King James Version. It belongs here as verse 4, not having to do with our redemption or condemnation, but with our walk and growth.
What it takes years for us to learn thoroughly is that the Holy Spirit ministers all. Bythe Spirit we are sealed, we live, we grow, and we shall be raised (Eph. 1:13; Rom. 8:10; 2 Cor. 3:8; Rom. 8:11). It is especially important for us that He is the Spirit of Life. Even though we are alive in Christ Jesus, we have no power by which to live the new life; for that, as well as for everything else, we must rely upon the Holy Spirit. (Incidentally, He should not be referred to as the “Holy Ghost.“) …to be continued
