What Happened When You Obeyed the Gospel? You were saved from your sins. They were forgiven (Micah 7:19; Ps. 103:12; Isa. 1:18). All have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and as a result are dead spiritually (Eph. 2:1-3). Jesus, through the sacrifice of Himself, took away all our sins (Heb. 10:11-12). This is one of the greatest blessings to us of the new covenant (Jer. 31:34b).

You became a member of the church (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23). The church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). The body is the saved (Eph. 5:23). When one is saved he is added to the body.

You were adopted by God as a member of His family (Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:5). Whereas we were aliens and strangers to the covenants, we did not belong. Now we are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God (Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). Therefore we have the warm relationship with God of sons and daughters (Rom. 8:14-15; 2 Cor. 6:18).

You made a deal with God, committing yourself to His service (2 Cor We have covenanted to take Jehovah for our God (Deut. 26:17-19). We have agreed to walk in His ways Rom. 6:16-23). Since God is a special, a unique, God, we are to be a unique (peculiar) people (Exod. 19:5; 1 Pet. 2:9).

You were born again; you were raised from the dead (John 3:3-5; Rom You were born again; you were raised from the dead (John 3:3-5; Rom. 6:4-11; Col. 2:12; 3:1). These terms refer to the transformation we are to make as we become children of God. This transformation is a “birth from above,” because this transformation is one which heaven enables us to make. We are renovated (Rom 12:1-2).

You became a priest (Heb. 10:19-23; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9-10). Priest stresses our access to God (Heb. 6:18-20). Priest also stresses the service we give to God (Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:5; Heb. 13:15).

You were made a part of God’s temple (Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Pet. 2:1-5). This is a spiritual temple, not a physical, symbolic temple. Being a part of the temple of God emphasizes that God is to dwell in this spiritual temple by living in our lives. Being a part of the temple of God also emphasizes the permanence of our relationship with God (Ps. 23:6; 27:4; Rev. 3:12).

Remember: When you decided to become a Christian, you undertook a great and solemn responsibility. But you also received an unspeakably great blessing: Salvation from sin, and eternal life in heaven.