Chapter 21

Being Right with God

Sections

1. Getting Right with God
   1. God’s Invitation
      • God and Jesus Christ invite all people to come to them and be saved . . .
      • . . . For God wants all people to be saved, making salvation open to everyone
      • God wants us to earnestly seek him – and so find him
      • We have the choice of whether or not to respond to God and Jesus Christ
      • We must believe in God and what he says
      • We need to be open to believing and responding to God
      • Now is the time to seek God and to respond to him
      • Other preliminary points to consider
      • Note: Apart from God, life is pointless
   2. Repentance
      • We must repent
      • Confess your sins . . .
      • . . . and turn from sinful ways
      • In turning from sin, do what is good and right . . .
      • . . . and turn to God
      • Repentance is required for the forgiveness of sins
      • Repentance leads to life
      • Repentance leads to spiritual enlightenment
      • Not repenting will result in judgment and eternal punishment
      • Note: The great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents
   3. Belief in Jesus Christ (I): General
      • Believe in Jesus Christ
      • Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
      • Further key things to know and believe about Jesus Christ
      • Believing in Jesus Christ is integral to believing in God . . .
      • . . . One’s response to Jesus Christ is one’s response to God, who sent him
      • Superficial belief is not enough . . .
      • . . . We are to both believe and repent
   4. Belief in Jesus Christ (II): Reasons to Believe
      • Jesus Christ’s words and knowledge
      • Jesus Christ’s deeds
      • Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection
      • Testimonies about Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . God himself testified to Jesus and his claims
   5. Belief in Jesus Christ (III): Outcomes
      • We are forgiven of our sins and purified
      • We are granted righteousness and justified before God
      • We are saved
      • We have eternal life
      • We become a child of God
      • We are given God’s Holy Spirit
      • Other results of believing in Jesus Christ
      • Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ are condemned and do not have life . . .
      • . . . Further implications of not believing in Jesus Christ
   6. Reasons for Assurance
      • God’s word, including his promises
      • Jesus Christ’s death and his ministry in his risen life
      • Having the Holy Spirit
      • Obeying God and doing what is right
      • Loving other Christians
      • Further reasons
      • Note: God’s people are free from condemnation

2. Staying Right with God
   1. The Need to Obey God
      • Obedience accompanies belief and faith
      • Obedience leads to righteousness
      • Obedience leads to holiness and purity
      • Obedience brings one into a close relationship with God and Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . God and Jesus Christ are with those who obey – they in God and he in them
      • Obedience and doing God’s will are critical for salvation
      • Obedience and doing God’s will lead to eternal life
      • Not obeying God ultimately ends in eternal destruction
   2. The Need for Good Deeds
      • We are to persistently do good deeds
      • True faith involves good deeds . . .
      • . . . One’s Christianity should be proven by one’s deeds
      • Good deeds are critical for salvation and eternal life
      • Note: Our good deeds or works do not earn righteousness and salvation, which are by grace
   3. Living Free of the Law and Sin – by the Spirit
      • Our freedom from the Mosaic Law does not permit us to sin . . .
      • . . . In fact, sinning results in enslavement to sin
      • We have been freed from the law to live by the Holy Spirit
      • Instead of living by the sinful nature, live by the Holy Spirit . . .
      • . . . and live in God’s grace
      • Living by the Spirit brings life – in contrast to living by the sinful nature and to the law
      • Note: Inner righteousness and right attitudes are needed, rather than mere compliance with rules
   4. Epilogue: Living ‘in’ Jesus Christ
      • Live “in” Jesus Christ
      • Remain “in” Jesus Christ
      • We live “in” Jesus Christ – and he in us – by faith . . .
      • . . . and by holding to his teachings
      • Speak “in” Jesus Christ
      • Act towards others “in” Jesus Christ
      • Do God’s work “in” Jesus Christ
      • Rejoice and take pride “in” Jesus Christ
      • Further aspects of living “in” Jesus Christ

 ➜Major headings in: 21. Being Right with God (and all of Unit E)

Pray for persecuted Christians