What exactly is an unbeliever? unbeliever ANSWER A “believer” is a child of God, born again by faith in Jesus Christ (see Acts 2:44); and an “unbeliever” is someone who does not believe in Jesus. In the New Testament, the Greek word apistou is translated “unbeliever.” Its adjective form literally means “not faithful,” and it describes someone lacking in Christian faith. There is a clear distinction throughout Scripture between those who follow Christ and those who do not follow Him. The word unbeliever was understood to represent everything opposed to Christian faith and godliness. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 King James Version 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Paul has just urged the Corinthians to open their hearts to him again. Now he turns to a direct command: that believers in Christ not be yoked with unbelievers. The imagery of the "yoke" brings to mind the rigid harness used to keep livestock locked together and pulling in a consistent direction. The Old Testament used a form of the word to forbid mating cattle of different species (Leviticus 19:19). The Law also forbids harnessing together an ox and a donkey to plow a field (Deuteronomy 22:10). The point of this phrase will soon become clear. Those in Christ are something other than those who are not in Christ. They are not the same—spiritually—and should not be locked together into any kind of binding relationship. Paul begins to ask a series of questions to show the absurdity of a believer in Jesus being "unequally yoked" with an unbeliever. Paul asks: what cooperation can there be between virtue and wickedness? Those in Christ have "become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Those outside of Christ continue in their status as unrepentant, lawless sinners. The two cannot—must not—be joined together. To do so makes as little sense as trying to join light and darkness in fellowship. It can't be done. As soon as the light arrives, the darkness must vanish. It's essential to realize Paul is not saying believers should never associate with unbelievers, at all (1 Corinthians 5:9–10). Believers should continue to live and function in the world, which includes contact with unbelievers (1 Corinthians 10:25–26). He has written to the Corinthians previously, though, not to sue each other in pagan courts of law (1 Corinthians 6:1–11), not to join themselves sexually to temple prostitutes (1 Corinthians 6:12–20), and not marry unbelievers (1 Corinthians 7:39). Rather, Scripture's teaching here is that Christians must not enter into binding, partnering agreements with non-Christians. Context Summary Second Corinthians 6:14–18 begins with Paul's command to the Corinthians not to be ''unequally yoked'' with unbelievers. Light and darkness cannot be in fellowship. Christ and Satan cannot work together. Christians are God's temples on earth since His Spirit lives in them. That's why they must separate themselves from any kind of formal, binding relationship with unbelievers. Paul references several Old Testament Scriptures to show that believers in Jesus must separate themselves from being ''yoked'' to unbelievers since God is their Father and lives among them. Chapter Summary This passage appeals to the Corinthians not to miss the day of salvation. Paul insists that he and those who work with him have done nothing to keep anyone from believing in Christ. He points to the evidence that he has been a true apostle and representative of Christ and asks the Corinthians to open their hearts to him again. He commands them not to harness themselves to unbelievers since Christ can have nothing to do with Satan or darkness. God lives in them through the Holy Spirit, so they must separate from everything that is opposed to God. In regards to salvation, the word believe always implies far more than mental agreement with truth (John 3:16; 14:1; 1 John 3:23; Acts 8:37). Satan and the demons know more than any of us the facts about Jesus, the meaning of His death and resurrection, and the truth of Scripture (James 2:19). To believe for salvation (Romans 10:10) requires more than that. A believer is one who has transferred ownership of his life and future to the lordship of Jesus. Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). So a believer, in the biblical sense, is one who has responded to God’s calling and chosen Jesus as the Lord of his or her life. A believer looks to Jesus alone for salvation from sin and hell (John 14:6; Matthew 10:28; Romans 10:13). By the same token, an unbeliever is someone who has not allowed Jesus to be the Lord of his or her life. Religious-sounding words may have been spoken, but if the heart has not changed, it is not saving faith (Matthew 7:21–23). The person claiming salvation while lacking evidence of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is still functionally an unbeliever. When Scripture compares believers with unbelievers, it highlights the lifestyle differences. Believers are to be known by their love (John 13:35), their holiness (1 Peter 1:15), 1 Peter 1:15-16 King James Version 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. and their desire to be like Christ (Ephesians 4:15). According to the whole of Scripture, it is not possible to be a true believer and continue the ungodly lifestyles that warranted God’s wrath in the first place (Ephesians 5:5–7). This is due to the fact that salvation results in a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Just as a fish cannot remain on land for long due to its nature, so born-again hearts cannot remain in sin for long due to their new nature. First John 3:6 spells it out quite clearly: “ King James Version 1 John 3:6-10 King James Version 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ” Then verses 8–10 clarify it even further: “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was manifested was to destroy the works of the devil No one who is born of God will sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6); therefore, unbelievers cannot please God. They are still dead in their transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Unbelievers still bear the full weight of all their sin, and the “wrath of God remains on them” (John 3:36). They must be reconciled to God through Christ (Romans 5:10). Faith makes all the difference. Only through faith and surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ can unbelievers become believers. jesus christ has forgiven all my sins past present and future i have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins all believers i can see god is merciful to my unrighteousness and sins and iniquities he remembers no more. Hebrews 8:12 King James Version 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.Hebrews 10:14 King James Version Question: Would you please explain 1 John 3:9, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Answer: This verse does not teach that a Christian will not sin. If this were true it would contradict 1 John 1:8 which tells us that, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." The word commit IS NOT the Greek word "prasso," which means "practice or keep on committing"; but, rather, IS the Greek word "poieo," which means "not to commit one single, isolated act of sin." This seed is the Holy Spirit which indwells every believer. Peter, in 2 Peter 1:4, declares that Christians are "partakers of the divine nature," i.e., the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:13 we are told that "...after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." It is the Holy Spirit that cannot commit one single act of sin! Since the Christian still possesses his old nature, there will always be a conflict of wills. Galatians 5:17 explains, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other...". Therefore, the Christian is admonished to, "grieve not the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4:30); but, to "be filled (i.e., "controlled by") with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), and not by the old nature. (Read Romans 8:1.) To have eternal life, you must have the Holy Spirit. To have the Holy Spirit, you must have Jesus Colossians 2:13-17 King James Version 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Ephesians 1:7-14 King James Version 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 2:8-10 King James Version 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me (Christ) hath everlasting life." - John 6:47 1 John 5:18 King James Version 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. The Bible, Genesis and Geology Logo The Relationship of Flesh and Spirit; Physical Things vs. Spiritual Things Your body Jesus inside "Ye MUST be born again" (John 3:7 KJV) "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:5-6 KJV) Each man and woman born into this world is a being made of three (3) distinct components: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV) 1: The BODY. This is your PHYSICAL component of being. It is flesh made from a collection of unremarkable mineral elements (but is mostly water) and is in harmony with the nature and spirit of this world. It grows, matures, begins to deteriorate, eventually dies, and then decomposes back into its constituent elements and remains a part of the dust of the world. The body is a part of you but is NOT ALL of what defines who YOU are. "And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed," (Proverbs 5:11 KJV) 2: The SOUL. This is who YOU are; it is a part of your SPIRITUAL component. This is your individuality, your "I AM" so to speak (made in God's image), your "heart." Although your individual soul did not exist before your mother and father procreated you, it will exist forever. When your flesh dies, your soul goes on living forever. "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt. 10:28 KJV) When your body dies your soul (YOU) will leave the body of flesh: "And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin." (Genesis 35:18 KJV) 3: The SPIRIT. And this is a little more complex to explain. Every man, woman and child is born with a sin-nature (spirit) and a carnal mind that naturally is at enmity with the Law of God. "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." (Luke 9:55 KJV) Where your soul spends eternity after it departs is determined by your personal relationship to God (saved or unsaved). You are an eternal being, made in God's image. In fact, the Bible says that you are a "god" (small "g"): "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" (John 10:34 KJV) "So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Gen 1:27 KJV) But you don't have the Holy Spirit of God within you because of Adam's transgression. By virtue of his disobedience, you inherited his sin-nature. And in order to be saved, your spirit must be reborn. The unsaved man or women who have only the first birth are in eternal danger. Since the body and soul of the unsaved man or woman are bonded to the dead spirit of this present world, when this world's physical elements and spiritual components (including "Death") are cast into the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:13-15), those eternal souls, living or already dead, will perish with them. You can't change yourself from this nature, but God can change you if you accept His Gift of Salvation by His Grace. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 KJV) The key word is BELIEVE that Jesus is the Son of God, receive His forgiveness for being a sinner (by nature) and accept His free Gift of eternal life. It's as simple as that, but understanding why this is God's plan of salvation requires faith in Him to do it. He will, if you trust Him to. So, what exactly is the difference between the relationship of the unsaved soul and the saved soul? What does being "Born Again" actually mean? The answer is something that God does for you at the moment you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior: An OPERATION. Have you ever been operated on by a doctor? The doctor uses a knife to cut away something that is diseased. Well, God's "operation" is similar. Using the Sword of the Lord instead of a scalpel, the Great Physician (Luke 5:31) severs the direct (but unseen) connection between your soul and your flesh: "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:12 KJV) "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." (Col. 2:12 KJV) This "operation" is a spiritual circumcision. Your flesh is cut away from your soul and you are given God's Spirit by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit: "But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God." (Romans 2:29 KJV) Don't misunderstand the above verse. God does not make you a 'spiritual Jew' when he saves you, but he does adopt you into His family, whether you are a Jew or a Gentile. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28 KJV) After you have accepted the free gift of salvation through faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as you grow and mature in the Lord (your continuing sanctification), you will begin to notice some changes in how you think. You will find that your heart (soul) grows more and more in agreement with God and His law (which is spiritual), but your flesh will still want to go the way of the world. All true born-again Christians have a split personality, so to speak. And even when you work not to sin (you don't work to stay saved), sin still happens along your path of Christian growth. Paul sums it up quite well in the book of Romans: "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7:21-25 KJV) Your soul is saved, but your flesh, your present physical body, is still dead and cannot be salvaged. It will perish and return to the Earth. (You get a new body later.) Your present flesh will still lust to do those things that are unlawful, while at the same time your heart and the Spirit will condemn those thoughts and feelings and empower you to avoid the temptation. But no Christian is perfect in the flesh, and as you go through this life you will sometimes give in to those feelings and will sin in the flesh (but not in your heart). FACT: The flesh of Christian people still wants to sin after they are saved: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8 KJV) "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" (1 John 2:1 KJV) When this happens, and the guilt begins to set in, the Christian starts worrying about losing his/her salvation or committing the unpardonable sin. Well, it can't happen. FACT: It is NOT POSSIBLE for a Christian's SOUL to sin, because that soul has been born again by His (God's) seed into God's family: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." (1 John 3:9 KJV) After you are saved, and as your heart knowledge about God's love grows in your Christian walk, you will begin understanding FROM THE HEART the effects of sin and lawlessness on yourself and others. And as you begin to love others as you love yourself, and strive to do unto others as you would have others do unto you, you will find that you are changing and that change comes from the heart by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Grace of God, by faith in Him. Physical circumcision is permanent and cannot be reversed; once that flesh is cut away it is gone forever. The same metaphor applies to circumcision of the heart; once that body of flesh is cut away your soul can't be reattached to it. And Praise God for that! Salvation is the FREE GIFT of God and eternal; it is not earned (or retained) by good works: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23 KJV) "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Gal 2:16 KJV) If you are not good enough to earn it, why do so many Christian people think that they can un-earn it? Once you have given your soul to God it is His forever! If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are loved of God and don't have to worry about holding onto God because HE WILL HOLD ONTO YOU. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 KJV) Jesus carrying the cross This He did for YOU! "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18 KJV) You will find a very helpful in-depth study of these things on our pages: The Doctrine of Salvation and Doctrines of Grace In the next chapter we will study the role of Geology in Middle East end-times prophecy. Next Page: Dead Sea The Dead Sea Geology and End Times Prophecy Joshua 24:15 King James Version 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Hebrews 10 King James Version 10 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Philippians 3:18-21 King James Version 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST A person who is in Christ has a new life. Jesus told Nicodemus, "I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:5-7) Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Children of God are changed in heart and life; they are dead to trespasses and sins. In Christ you are a Christian and a new creation. The Christian gave up being a child of the Devil in order to be a child of God. The new creature in Christ was, in the past, a servant of sin, following the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21) The new creature in Christ has now been made free from sins and is bearing the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) Old things are passed away. The person who is in Christ has a new life. Literally, the Christian has given up the life of sin to have a "new life." This new life is life in Christ. "When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4) Living the life of Christ causes us to look to that day when the Lord will appear again. He is coming again! "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3.) "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like man­ner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:10-11) Who can be in Christ and thus be saved? Salvation is available to every sinner; “If any man be in Christ.” God's Son came as a sacrifice for our sins. He is our sin offering. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:17-18) Jesus, by His death and resurrected life, brought reconciliation. "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:10) The Gospel is the great news that Jesus suffered sin's penalty in our place. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Mankind needs salvation and through Jesus this salvation is available. Where is this saved state found? Salvation is in Christ; “If any man be in Christ.” The blessings relating to salvation are in Christ. In Christ we are forgiven. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7) In Christ we have a new life. The believer who repents and is baptized is raised to a new life in Christ. (Romans 6:4) In Christ we are redeemed. Redemption means, "Liberation or freedom brought about by the payment of a ransom." Paul wrote, "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14) In Christ we have a heavenly inheritance. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5) In Christ we have hope. “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24) Those who are in Christ are God's children and they have hope of eternal life. What is a person like who is in Christ? In Christ old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Living faith transforms lives. Faith must produce a transformation of life or it is not a saving faith. Faith only or a dead faith is worthless and vain. Saving faith can only be shown in a changed life. Sadly many in the church of Christ seem to think that they have saving faith and that they are on their way to heaven when there has been no evident change of heart and no reformation of life. Hebrews 10:39 says that we must be of them that "believe to the saving of the soul." There is a belief that results in the salvation of the soul. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warned, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23) What does the character of your life demonstrate about your faith? Will you be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that your sins can be forgiven by His blood? "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Believers contact Christ's saving blood by being baptized into His death. John said, "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12) We join with Paul in saying, "To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21) Are you a faithful member of the church of Christ?Romans 5 King James Version 5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Titus 3:10-11 King James Version A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.Colossians 2:13-17 King James Version 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.