1. The Scriptures

2. The Triune God

3. God’s Sovereign Purposes

4. Creation, Providence, and Man

5. Man’s Sin and Its Effects

6. The Person of Jesus Christ

7. The Saving Work of Jesus Christ

8. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

9. The Gospel and the Application of Salvation
by the Holy Spirit

10. The Empowering Ministry of the Spirit

11. Life in Christ

12. The Church of Christ

13. The Last Things 

11. Life in Christ

Growing in Christ

All believers, by virtue of their union with Christ, are progressively transformed into his image.[1] Although the ruling power of sin in our lives has been broken, remnants of corruption remain in our hearts that we will fight throughout our lives.[2] This lifelong process of growth takes place as the Spirit empowers us to abide in Christ and strive for holiness in every area of life.[3] Resting in Christ’s finished work never renders our effort unnecessary but rather enables the joyful pursuit of loving and pleasing God.[4] Compelled by grace, believers grow in the knowledge of God, obey Christ’s commands, walk by the Spirit, mortify sin, and pursue God’s priorities and purposes.[5] Although such actions are not the ground of our salvation, they demonstrate the authenticity of our salvation and are a means by which God keeps us faithful to the end.[6] Among the many public and private means of grace, the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship are primary instruments of our sanctification,[7] fostering communion with God and training us together to glorify him, love others, and testify to Christ in the world.[8]

Waiting for Christ

Living the Christian life involves longing[9] and waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.[10] Although believers are new creations in Christ and presently enjoy the blessings of his resurrection power,[11] their sanctification remains partial and incomplete in this life.[12] Furthermore, they continue to live in mortal bodies in a creation subject to futility,[13] opposed by the world,[14] the flesh,[15] and the devil.[16] The Word of God assures us that we are his beloved children,[17] yet such an assurance does not remove the reality of suffering, sorrow, and persecution in this present age.[18] The gospel enables us to rejoice in the midst of tribulations,[19] assured that his purposes are working for our good even in circumstances we do not understand.[20] Fixing our eyes on Jesus, we endure in faith and abound in hope,[21]confident that a day is fast approaching when sin and sorrow will be no more.[22]

[1] Rom 6:5-11; 2 Cor 3:18; Rev 19:8.

[2] Gal 5:16-18; 1 Pet 2:11.

[3] John 15:4-8; Gal 5:16-26; Heb 12:14.

[4] Ps 37:5, 40:8; John 15:11; Rom 6:1-4; 12:1-2; Eph 5:10; Phil 1:25; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Pet 1:13-19.

[5] Mark 12:30-31; John 15:10; Rom 8:4; 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 4:6; Col 3:5-6; 1 John 5:2-3.

[6] Matt 25:31-46; Eph 2:8-10; Heb 3:12-14; 6:9-12; 10:19-27.

[7] John 6:63; 17:17; Acts 2:42; Eph 4:15; 6:18; Col 3:16; 1 Thess 2:13-14; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Jude 20-21.

[8] Matt 5:8; 1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:12-14; 1 Pet 2:9-12.

[9] Rom 8:19, 23, 36; 1 Cor 16:22; 2 Cor 5:2.

[10] Titus 2:13; Jude 21; Rev 22:20.

[11] John 5:24; 6:47; Rom 6:2-5; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 1:19-20.

[12] Phil 3:12; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 John 1:8; 3:2.

[13] Eccles 3:11, 14; Rom 8:20-23; 2 Cor 5:1-4; 1 Cor 15:53.

[14] 1 John 2:16; 5:19.

[15] Gal 5:17.

[16] Eph 6:10-12; Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8-9.

[17] Rom 8:17; Gal 4:5-6; 1 John 3:2.

[18] John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:36; 1 Pet 3:14, 17; 4:19.

[19] Rom 5:3; 8:23; 12:12; 2 Cor 5:2, 4; Col 1:24; 1 Pet 4:13.

[20] Isa 43:1-3; Lam 3:21-24; Rom 8:28; Phil 1:6.

[21] Rom 12:12; 15:13; 2 Cor 1:6; 2 Tim 2:12; Heb 12:1-3; 1 Pet 2:19-20.

[22] Isa 25:8; 35:10; 51:11; Rev 7:17; 21:4.