Our Present State and Divine Potential

The following reflections are based on the Bible. While various traditions may differ in their views, many agree that our divine potential is indeed glorious and will far transcend our earthly existence, so often filled with selfishness and suffering.

In our natural state we are …

Lost without God

Alienated from God (Colossians 1:21)
Separated from God’s life of immortality (Ephesians 4:18)
God’s enemies and in rebellion against his laws (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21)
Spiritually dead in sins — without possession of eternal life (Ephesians 2:1)
Blind and perishing (2 Corinthians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 1:18)
Guilty before God (Romans 3:9-18)
Children of wrath — subject to the cause-and-effect penalties of our actions (Ephesians 2:3)
Condemned to the consequences of our wrong actions (John 3:18)
Without hope of eternal life (Ephesians 2:12)

Known by God and in God’s Plan — because God loves all his children

Foreknown (Romans 8:29)
Predestined as first fruits of salvation — though God wants all to be saved (Ephesians 1:5, 11-12; Romans 8:23)
Chosen before the beginning of time (Ephesians 1:4)
Called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9)

With our willingness and cooperation, we can be …

Rescued by Grace

Brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13)
Reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Rescued from Satan’s power (Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13)
No longer condemned (Romans 8:1-2)
Saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5, 8)
Given eternal life as God’s gift (John 5:24; Romans 6:23)

Made New in Christ

Redeemed (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7)
Reconciled to God through God’s love (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:22)
Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
Justified (Romans 3:24, 28; 4:25; 5:1; 8:30)
Given a new birth (1 Peter 1:3, 23)
Becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2,30)
Made righteous (Romans 3:21-22; 4:6-24)
Saved through the imparting of the divine love (Romans 5:10; Hebrews 7:25)
Made eternally alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
Dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:9-14)
Loved (Ephesians 1:4)
Accepted (Ephesians 1:6)
Glorified (Romans 8:30)
Sealed and secured by the Holy Spirit for eternity (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Welcomed into the divine family in a special way (because all humans are children of God)

God’s chosen and special people (1 Peter 2:9-10; Titus 2:14)
A holy nation (1 Peter 2:9)
Holy and royal priests (1 Peter 2:5,9)
Citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
United into one body (Ephesians 2:15-16; 3:6)
Children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; 1 John 3:1-2)
Members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19)
Raised up and seated in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6)
Heirs of God with a guarantee of eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:17)

Empowered by Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
Recipients of the riches of God’s grace and kindness (Ephesians 2:5-9)
Given confident access to God’s throne of grace (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16)
Shown the mystery of God’s will (Ephesians 1:9-10)
Granted awe, reverence and devotion to God (Isaiah 11:2-3)
Have heart filled with love (Romans 5:5; 2 Timothy 1:7)
Given faith and hope (Ephesians 1:18; Hebrew 3:6; 10:23; 1 Timothy 1:14)
Receive knowledge and understanding (Ephesians 1:8)
Given revelation and wisdom (Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 1:17)
Be recipients of God’s power and fortitude (Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 1:19; 2 Timothy 1:7)
Given self-control and sound mind — equanimity (2 Timothy 1:7)
Manifest the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Possess eternal life and immortality (Romans 6:23; 8:10-14)

With divine life and love in us, we are …

Sent on Mission

God’s masterful workmanship created for good works (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:12-14; 3:1,8,14)
Temple of the Holy Spirit – built for the Spirit’s habitation (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21-22)
Called to a holy life – worthy of our position in Christ (Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Timothy 1:9)
Meant to be light and salt to the world – and walking in the light (Matthew 5:13-16; Ephesians 5:8-9)
Intended for the praise of God’s glory (Ephesians 1:11-14; Matthew 5:16)
Exhorted to follow Christ’s example of humility, gentleness, patience and love (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Asked to put off the old life following the way of “Satan” and the world – to crucify the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24; Ephesians 4:17-19)
Urged to put on the new life in Christ of loving others as Jesus loves (Ephesians 4:20-24; 5:1-2)
Exhorted to submit to and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20)
Encouraged to put on the armor of God, including continuous prayer for protection from Satan’s attacks (Ephesians 6:10-17)
Exhorted to use our spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-10; Romans 12:6-8)
Encouraged to grow in spiritual virtues (2 Peter 1:3-8; 3:18)
Urged to continue in the faith and hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23)

Our present assurance and future hope is that we are …

Awaited by God

Chosen and unconditionally loved by God (Romans 8:31-39)
Interceded for and upheld by Jesus (Hebrews 7:23-25)
Expected at a great banquet (Luke 12:35-37)
Sharing in Jesus’ eternal inheritance – everlasting life in his Father’s Kingdom (Romans 8:17; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 9:15)
Being glorified like Jesus and seeing him as he is (1 John 3:2; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Being granted leadership and priestly positions with Jesus (Matthew 19:28; Revelation 3:21; 5:9-10)
Taking part in an infinitely increasing eternal heavenly kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:44)
Experiencing eternal joy and bliss beyond comprehension or imagination (1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 13:12; 1 John 3:2)

Header Photo: Eduardo Konze

Downloadable PDF Articles

God Affirmations
Precious Balls of Clay
The Inner Treasure – Our Journey to God
Intertwining of Humanity and Divinity-rev.
What Is the Soul?
Conversion
Plan of Salvation – Bible
Salvation – Alternative View
You must be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven
At-Onement with God
Difference Between Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven
Types of Natural Love
God’s Gift of Divine Love
Who Can Receive God’s Love and How
Who Can Receive God’s Love and How-Expanded Version
Why Should We Continue to Pray for the Divine Love
Walking in the Light
Passover-Easter Symbolism and Fulfillments
Pentecost, Holy Spirit, Divine Love – Bible Insights
Manifesting the Divine Love in Life
The Common Aim of all Godly Religions
On Immortality