2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!

Salvation is a onetime act executed by God – never to be repeated – never to be undone. It’s a miraculous, spiritual transformation that is preformed solely by God. It’s a transformation that cannot be enhanced or improved by human effort. By God’s miraculous workmanship, the sinner is literally changed into a saint. This transformation includes:

1)    Receiving the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing salvation
(2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5)

2)    Receiving a new life (being born-again) by God (1 Peter 1:3)

3)    Becoming a new spiritual creation (2 Corinthians 5:16-18)

God does something supernatural to change us when we put our faith in Christ. He anoints us, sets his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in us as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5). As born-again children of God, we’re no longer dead in our sins but FOREVER alive in Christ! And, to seal the deal as new, eternal creations in Christ, God not only deposits his Spirit in us, he also seats us in the heavenly realms with Christ (Ephesians 2:5-7).

The figures below are simplistic views of our spiritual states prior to and after being “born again”. After salvation God makes us into a new spiritual creation; the old, dead spirit passes away. Once saved, the outside (body and it’s craving), the mind (what we think), emotions (what we “feel) and the will (self government) remains intact. It’s up to us (it’s not up to God) to bring our body, mind, emotions and will into submission to his will.

Unfortunately, having been under the influence of a world that is in total darkness and in many ways programmed by Satan, the Father of Lies, most of us, are totally ignorant about what pleases God. Our body, mind, emotions and will have been mentally programmed to give in to what is physically pleasing to our bodies, what satisfies our emotions and to being self-willed.

Ephesians 2:1-3

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

God has equipped his saints with EVERYTHING needed for them to live a sanctified, prosperous, abundant life. We can live such a life through our knowing about him and being aided by his Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 2:3 3

His divine power has given us everything we need life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Christians are not growing and becoming stronger in their faith because of either not knowing what is true or believing what is true about their salvation. For example, consider the thought and actions of a person (Bob) born into poverty and deeply in need of assistance. Everyone Bob has ever known has been just as dead broke as Bob. All of his existence has been trying to stretch a dime from one source or another. Good news…. Bob has an unknown relative (Cousin Leslie from France) who dies and leaves Bob an inheritance.

·         Lack of knowledge: No one informs Bob that Cousin Leslie from France has left him an inheritance. Obviously, because of this lack of knowledge, Bob will continue to live without either access or knowledge of his inheritance. (Poor Bob.)

·         Lack of faith: Attorneys contact Bob and inform him that Cousin Leslie has left him an inheritance. Bob is resistant to believing their message. Bob can’t conceive in any way, shape form or fashion that anyone one in his family could have anything of value and his other relatives not know (not have any hint of an idea) about it. Bob contacts other family members and asks about this cousin. No one knows about a cousin in France. They conclude it’s a hoax or a case of mistaken identity. They convince Bob that even if Leslie did leave him an inheritance it’s probably not that much and would just get eaten up by taxes so why bother making himself look foolish. Because of lack of faith in the truth (enhanced by bad advice and pride), Bob continues to live in poverty. (Poor Bob.)

It’s not just what we know that sets us free, it’s what we believe that sets us free.

Saints will continue to live as if they still had a dead spirit if they don’t know or don’t believe the truth of their salvation. Nothing changes physically when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. God changes our Spirit and equips us for all that we need to bring our body, mind, emotions and will into submission to his will.

Lack of KNOWLEDGE of What’s True

Unfortunately, new believers or those young in their faith and understanding, are ripe pickings for false prophets, false teachers, false doctrines and deceiving spirits. They don’t know what they don’t know. They don’t know they have divine power and authority to resist temptations and to bring their body, mind, emotions and will into conformity to God’s will. So, instead of taking responsibility for their own growth, they wait for God to miraculously change them directly  - or indirectly through someone else (which can be anything form from laying hands-on them, anointing them with oil or praying them into conformity).

Through a lack of knowledge, they have a poor understanding of who God is, what he desires and who (through God’s assistance) they can become in Christ. Also because of the lack of knowledge of the existence, intent or practice of demons they remain unguarded to the intentions and role that Satan plays in hindering their bringing their body, mind, emotions and will into conformity with God.

Lack of FAITH in What’s True

Knowledge without faith is not pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6). Not only do all saints on this side of heaven need more understanding of the truth, we need to believe and act upon what is true. For a saint to know and understand what is written in the Bible but not believe that it applies to them is not only displeasing to God but opens the door for them to be controlled by their body, mind, emotions and will in such a way that supports and assists Satan in the advancement of his demonic kingdom.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Saints are saved by God to fulfill his purpose. God has good works that he has prepared in advance for his saints to do. Until God clarifies the specifics (such as a special calling) new Christians (and those not yet mature) should spend time seeking to learn and understand God and to earnestly seek what pleases him. They should learn the truth about God’s character and the character that he wants to develop in them. They should learn how to keep in step with the Spirit and resist the devil. They need to know how to bring their body, mind, emotions and will into submission to God. It’s a process that God will lovingly walk his saints through.

The following are words spoken by Jesus Christ himself. saints should search the scriptures for knowledge and submit to God’s Spirit and then, by faith, obediently follow what has been written . What is recorded is not just for salvation, but to also bring the body, mind, emotions and will into conformity to God’s will.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
(Matthew 11:29-30)

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
(John 14:26)

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
(John 17:15-19)

"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
(Luke 11:28)

Saints who are weary, saints who are burdened, saints who need rest… learn (knowledge) what it means to take Christ’s yoke and expect (by faith) your burden to be lightened.