A story is told about a college professor, an atheist, who gave a lecture denying the existence of God. He cited book after book, scholar after scholar and other written articles to prove that there is no God.
The story continues that after the lecture, a man stood up eating an apple and asked the question: “This apple that I am eating, tell me, is it sweet or is it sour?” The professor replied incredulously, “How should I know? I have not tasted that apple.” To this, the man said: “I know that there is God. I have tasted Him.” The audience stood and applauded.
Reading Hebrews 6:4, we learn that a Christian undergoes a spiritual transformation as noted below:
· He has been enlightened
· He has tasted the heavenly gift
· He has shared in the Holy Spirit,
· He has tasted the goodness of the word of God
· He has received the promise of eternal life
Arguably, this passage of the scriptures is a living testimony of our lasting relationship with God. Today, let us take time to consider this spiritual transformation in the life of a Christian.
1. A Christian is enlightened
An unbeliever obtains faith when he is enlightened by the words of truth. “Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the truth in the words about Christ.” (Romans 10:17) It is therefore essential for everyone to listen and understand the message about Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
Consequently, the teachings about Jesus should be the foundation of our faith. We need to have a deep conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God through the words of the prophets and the writings of the apostles testifying to the fulfillment of these prophecies.
The amazing miracles performed by our Lord Jesus while proclaiming his authority to forgive sins should open our eyes and hearts to appreciate his great love and compassion for humanity.
Jesus spoke in parables to illustrate his spiritual kingdom. Parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. With humility and a teachable heart, the disciples were able to grasp the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.
2. A Christian has tasted the heavenly gift
With newfound faith, a sinner is prompted to obey that which is of primary importance: the Gospel. The Gospel commonly described as the “good news” because it promises salvation for sinners. Paul says:
“23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
The Gospel encompasses the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
When a sinner obeys the Gospel, these spiritual powers occur: a) trough his death on the cross, the sinful body dies with Jesus on the cross; b) trough the burial of Jesus, a sinner dies to sin when he is baptized; c) through the renewal given by the Holy Spirit, the sinner is forgiven and raised to a new life. (Romans 6: 1-7)
How did the early Christians obey the Gospel and receive the heavenly gift? Answer: they repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:37-38)
“37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
3. A Christian shared in the Holy Spirit
When one obeys the Gospel, he also receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit provides a very important role in the life of a Christian. He helps a Christian to walk with God in the following ways:
· He strengthens (Ephesians 3:16)
· He transform a Christian into the nature of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
· He bears fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
· He gives us assurance that Christians are sons of God and heir of eternal life (John 4:13)
· He makes intercessions for the Christian (Romans 5:5)
The Holy Spirit dwells in every Christian.
· If one does not have the Holy Spirit, Christ is not in him. (Romans 8:9(
· Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit that God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7). As Christians read their Bibles regularly, they will receive discernment from the Holy Spirit so that they can rightly apply the truth of God’s words in their daily lives.
4. A Christian tasted the goodness of the word of God
Whenever a Christian listens to the word and applies these to his life, there is always an experience of “tasting what is good” because the end-result is certainly a blessing!
I like what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17. He exhorts Christians to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and be thankful in every opportunity. This passage tells me that I can do these things because my relationship with God is alive and active.
5. A Christian receives a promise of eternal life
How wonderful it would be when Jesus comes in the clouds with the angels and we hear the sound of a loud trumpet. We will meet him in the air. Oh how glorious that day would be! He will take us to heaven and live with him for eternity. (I Thessalonians 4:13,14).
How beautiful heaven must be! There will be no pain and no sorrow. God will wipe away our tears and we will live with Him forever and ever. (Revelation 21:4)
Hearken now, brothers and sisters. We can be certain of our salvation by asking these four questions:
· Were we enlightened by the words of God when we obtained faith?
· Did we obey the Gospel and tasted the heavenly gift of forgiveness?
· Did we receive the Holy Spirit?
· Do we continually taste the goodness of the word of God?
· Are we looking forward to the coming of our Lord Jesus?
If the answer to any of the above questions is "No”, I implore you to contact me. I will be very glad to share the truth of God’s word with you. Send me an e-mail at first1gospel@gmail.com.
