Chapter Twelve

Personal and Practical Outworking of Theology

            We have seen seven areas of major doctrine which affect the believer: man's origin and existence, his relationship to God and the Bible, salvation by grace, repentance, faith, law and grace, and the atonement.  The discussion of the practical outworking of these seven areas of theology will be enhanced by studying the chart below:

I. MAN'S ORIGIN AND EXISTENCE:  Colossians 1:17-19

            The Scriptures are clear regarding man's need to recognize God as his Creator. It is evident that certain positive concepts develop from a correct understanding of origins.  First, the Christian sees himself as valuable in God's program.  This value extends to personal responsibility and helps the Christian to realize the importance of God's economy.  The Apostle Paul taught principles that would challenge the  believer regarding the time in which he lives (Romans 13:11).  The word time is kairos, imitating a specific period of time in history for each individual believer.  The immensity of this statement in Romans 13:11 is evident when we understand the sovereignty of God as our Creator.  The Lord has placed each individual believer in the specific period of history for His specific purpose and plan.  This means that each believer is part of the overall plan of God in the current historical setting of lifetime!  To understand this provides impetus, excitement, and zest to the life of the Christian.  Our physical life is not happenstance.  God created us, gave us value in Christ, and an eternal purpose in life, allowing us the privilege to do HIS WILL in our place in history.  This is an incredible truth!  Without the knowledge of this truth we live without purpose or hope. Not only should we recognize this truth as impressive, but also as essential.  For Christians to walk circumspectly in this world it is absolutely imperative that they see God as our personal Creator.  We must view ourselves as under the mighty hand of God.  As His creation we may then fulfill His purpose for our lives.

GOD AND THE BIBLE: 2 Timothy 3:16

             The Christian who sees himself as under authority submits to the Scripture, trusts the Lord more easily, and is strengthened by an absolute hope in Christ for the future, but the world has no direction, nothing real to believe in, and no hope or meaning. The reason for this dilemma is that the "world" does not believe in the God of the Bible.   While a deputy sheriff for Los Angeles County in the 1970's I studied suicide notes which were left by men, women and children.  Each of these notes contained one or more reasons for suicide.  All of the reasons mentioned fall under three distinct categories, which are clearly referred to the Lord Jesus Christ.

NO DIRECTION FOR LIFE                      "I am the way"       DIRECTION FOR LIFE

NO ONE TO BELIEVE AND LOVE            "I am the truth"     SOMEONE TO TRUST

NO MEANING FOR LIFE                          "I am the life"      PURPOSE FOR LIVING

 Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth, and life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me."   John 14:6

 Believing the Bible is synonymous with believing God!   Recognize the authority of the Bible and you will have peace, comfort, and hope in God's purpose.  Everything that the Bible teaches regarding life is for our benefit and enrichment.  We would study the Bible more if we really believed it to be true.  Without believing in God and the Bible we would have to trust the word of men, which is not trustworthy.  What a predicament that would be.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, and God cannot lie.

 SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH:  Ephesians 1:13; 2:8-9

             The implications of salvation by grace are tremendous. Salvation by grace allows us to understand that we are accepted by the Lord Jehovah upon the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The basis for the provision of our salvation is the shed blood of Christ and the motivation for that provision is the love of Almighty God. Because of this we should see ourselves as undeserving, yet having great blessing from God.  Upon being accepted into God's kingdom is a miracle that has taken place by the work and power of God.  We are "born again" or regenerated immediately and permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit of promise  (Cf. John 3:5; I Cor. 12:13).

 This permanent indwelling, and our new relationship to God, gives us an absolute and secure faith.  We actually possess eternal life! This life only comes from God and can never be lost because it is based upon the eternal priesthood of Christ (Cf. Heb. 7:24-25).  Having believed the Gospel we now peace with God, justified by grace and nothing can separate us from the love of God (Cf. Rom. 5:1; 8:37-39).  The Holy Spirit provides the Believer with the necessary "spiritual benefits" for life(Cf. Gal. 5:22-23).

 REPENTANCE

 Knowing that we have repented from our sins reminds us of God's great work of forgiveness and restoration.  We recognized the consequence of our sin  and turned from that sin. Now the wrath of God no longer abides on us.  We are not condemned, the judgment of God has been averted, and we have peace and hope that only comes from contrition and repentance.  What joy it is to finally have a clear conscience and sense the real forgiveness of God.  The world today is guilt-laden and many Christians have fallen into the trap of this "guilty age."  I have seen believers who have never experienced victory in their lives because they have not realized the result of true forgiveness and repentance. 

            As we grow in grace we find that the result of repentance also illuminates this great truth: there are consequences to our actions.  When we sin against God we may experience God's chastening and a lack of peace in our spirit.  As we mature the Lord reveals His Word to us and we begin to turn from ungodly practices (the sins that easily beset us), and from humanistic thinking that was once the norm for us.  It is the beginning of a joyful Christian life when we gladly repent (ask forgiveness) and desire to live for Christ.

FAITH    Heb. 11:1-2

             Faith is the real action of life which results from seeing our responsibility before God.  We should fulfill that responsibility without hesitancy, knowing that the Lord will provide the grace, power and direction for its completion.  This realization should occupy our thinking and effect every area of our lives.  We live to trust Him who has promised, we appeal believing Him who has answered, and we see the reasons for actions from Him who has commanded. Look to the Scripture and see clear areas of living which the Lord distinguishes as faith. Faith results when we follow the Lord in clear obedience, and our faith is strengthened when we see the result of that obedience.  The term "living by faith" has become a cliché to many Christians, and they attribute many decisions of life, even those that are contrary to the Bible, to faith.  When the decisions turn out wrong, they say, "It must be God's will that I suffered or failed."  Decisions of faith, directed by God, are never in conflict with His Word!  Failures in faith are really failures in obedience to clear commands found in the Bible.  When a decision is to be made it is imperative that we examine the Scripture and make wise decisions in harmony with the Bible.   Hebrews 11:2 teaches that certain men received a good report due to their walk of faith.  The evidence of their faith was the real victory in their lives.  The world was able to see God working through them.

            It is by this faith that we live our lives, knowing that the Lord will reveal Himself through His Word.  The philosophies and ideas of this world should not affect us as we make decisions in this life.  When we follow the imperatives of Scripture, seek to honor Christ, and still suffer for righteousness' sake, then we should rejoice in our tribulation.  After all, life is not worth living unless it is lived with divine purpose. 

 LAW AND GRACE

             The decree of God is not haphazard!  His general plan is clearly planned and set forth in the Scripture.  Each believer should  understand the difference between the law of God in the Old Testament and the grace of God in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul definitely distinguishes between the Law of the Old Testament and the grace of the New Testament (Cf. Gal. 2:15-16)

            As we recognize that the plan of God is distinct and unique and that He is in control, it becomes easier for us view His plan.  He has given purpose to our lives, and the future is absolute and sure.  His plan involves obedience to the principles found in Scripture.  There are commands which God expects us to obey, and there are principles which are obvious and harmonious with the those statutes and commands.  Therefore, we view God's general plan for us in the Bible, and His specific plan for us is revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Scripture, circumstances, and heartfelt prayer.  First, we need to know how God wants us to live.  Secondly, we need to know that God has given purpose to our lives.  We should not just sit around hoping that our lives will count for Him, but we should actively seek to know how our lives can count for Him and pursue that purpose with diligence.  God's general purpose is the same for all believers in Christ:  To follow the Word of God and pursue a life that will give glory to God.  God does have a plan for each of us and He has allowed each of us to visualize the great future that He has prepared for us (Cf. I Thess. 4:13-18; John 14:1-3; I Cor. 15:51-58).

 THE PERFECT ATONEMENT

             A realization of the perfect ransom payment provides the Christian with a complete and perfect redemption, a reason for giving thanks, a changed life, and a secure future in the Kingdom ruled by the Lord Jesus Christ (Cf. 2 Cor. 9:15; James 1:17).   A lack of thankfulness is the basis for sin and idolatry (Cf. Romans 1:21-32).  Thankfulness should extend to our every conversation, our prayer life, and all of our daily activities.  A recognition of the satisfactory payment of the Lord Jesus should prompt us to live a changed life.  A knowledge and recognition of the atonement also provides the believer with the real incentive to live in newness of life.  It is this new position in Christ that is the basis for living as a new creation. This changed life is aptly described by Paul in his epistle to the Corinthian church.  The apostle describes us as ministers of reconciliation.  How?  By the death and resurrection of Christ (Cf. 2 Cor. 5:17).  Thankfulness leads to a deeper spiritual life, enabling us to live by the power of God.  The Lord provides the power and the grace, while we supply the faith and obedience.  Although we cannot live in our own strength and power, we can decide to follow the commands and principles of God's Word.