Big Words of Biggest Comfort, part 1

A simple explanation of three big words that might be intimating for newer Christians. 

GROWTH REQUIRES LEARNING​
Growth requires learning. Children must learn new things for reading, writing, and math. New skills like playing instruments or competing in sports require learning new things. Do not be intimidated by new words and new concepts that you encounter in the Bible. Living life in fellowship with Jesus through faith is a new life, a free life. God teaches us new words and new concepts so that we can not only understand our new life of freedom in Christ, but also that we will grow and flourish in it. 

The purpose of this article is to give a simple definition of some of the big, potentially intimidating words that God teaches His children. Words have meaning because of the concepts or realities they represent. I promise you, behind these words are the glorious concepts and wonderful realities of God's great salvation in Christ. These words are not above your head; they are not beyond you. They are, rather, words that shine forth the mercy, wisdom, power, grace, and incomparable love that God has shown to us through His Son and by the working of the Holy Spirit. I hope you enjoy them; I hope they further cultivate genuine gratitude, affection, and utter dependance toward the Lord Jesus Christ. 

1. REGENERATION
This means being born again to new life in Jesus by the working of the Holy Spirit in the heart. Titus 3:5–7, "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

What does it mean to be regenerated? It simply means that God has given you new life in Christ by the work of the Spirit. You have been born again. You have been brought from spiritual death to eternal life. This is a big word of biggest comfort. By faith in Christ, you have experienced the grand blessing of regeneration.

2. JUSTIFICATION
This means being declared righteous in God's sight because of (1.) the forgiveness of sins, and (2.) Christ's righteousness counted as ours. (A.) Forgiveness: Ephesians 1:7, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." (B.) Plus Christ's righteousness counted as ours: Romans 4:3–5, "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.' [4] Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. [5] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." (C.) Equals justification: Romans 3:22–24, "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Justification is also a big word of biggest comfort. What does it mean? It simply means that by faith in Christ, God has declared you righteous in His eyes. You will never pay the penalty for even one of your sins. You will never fall under the condemnation of God. You will never be separated from the redeeming love of God expressed in Christ. Rejoice, rejoice, O child of God; you are without question justified in the courts of heaven. 

3. SANCTIFICATION
This means being transformed into the likeness of Christ, i.e., transformed to be holy, by the ministry of Jesus through His Word and Spirit. Hebrews 10:14, "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified," and, 2 Corinthians 3:18, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

​Here is yet another big word of biggest comfort. What does it mean to receive the gift of sanctification. It means that God, by His power, wisdom, Word, and Spirit, is making you more and more like Jesus as the days go by. It means that God is gradually killing your natural impulse to sin, love of self, and inner pride. It means that God is gradually cultivating the fruit of the Spirit -- along with a desire for the fruit of the Spirit -- in your heart and life. 

This is a glorious thought because left to our own devices and strength, we would do exactly the opposite. Galatians 5:19–24, "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

SUMMARY
To recap, by faith in Christ based on His death and resurrection, children of God have been born again to new life in Jesus (REGENERATION), declared righteous in God's eyes because of forgiveness and the righteousness of Christ counted as theirs (JUSTIFICATION), and are gradually be transformed into the likeness (i.e., the character) of Jesus by the work of the Spirit and the power of His Word (SANCTIFICATION). Is it not worth learning and reveling in these big words? They press upon our hearts the biggest comfort, the comfort of knowing God and belonging to Him through the work of Jesus Christ our Lord.