Prioritizing Relationship with Christ as a Sinner Saved by Grace

The concept of prioritizing a relationship with Christ as a sinner saved by grace is rooted in the understanding that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. According to 1 Timothy 1:15, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all" ^[2]. This statement underscores the idea that salvation is not earned but is a result of God's mercy and grace.

The biblical basis for this concept is found in various passages that emphasize the role of faith in Christ as the means of salvation. For instance, I Peter 3:18 states that "Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God" ^[1]. This verse highlights the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice, which enables sinners to be reconciled to God.

Reconciliation is a key theme in understanding the relationship between a sinner and Christ. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, reconciliation refers to "a change from enmity to friendship" ^[3]. This change is not limited to the sinner's disposition toward God but also involves God's relationship with the sinner. Romans 5:10 states that "while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" [not directly cited, but referenced in 10]. This reconciliation is made possible by Christ's death, which removes the barrier between God and humanity.

The concept of grace is central to the idea of prioritizing a relationship with Christ. Grace is understood as "God's forgiving mercy" ^[5]. In the context of salvation, grace refers to the unmerited favor that God shows to sinners. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, access to God is "by Christ" and is "obtained through faith" ^[4]. This access is a result of Christ's work, which enables sinners to approach God with confidence.

Different Christian traditions have articulated the concept of prioritizing a relationship with Christ in various ways. For instance, the Reformed tradition emphasizes the role of faith in Christ as the means of justification. Calvin's commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and 1-2 Thessalonians highlights the importance of Christ's sacrifice in procuring righteousness for sinners ^[7]. In contrast, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition emphasizes the process of sanctification, which involves the transformation of the believer's life through the work of the Holy Spirit. Adam Clarke's commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:13 notes that God's purpose in calling believers is to lead them to salvation through sanctification ^[9].

Despite these differences, there is a common emphasis on the importance of faith in Christ as the means of salvation. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill's commentary on 1 Timothy 1:16, highlights the role of Christ's longsuffering in demonstrating God's mercy to sinners ^[8]. Similarly, the Presbyterian tradition, represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:13, emphasizes the importance of Christ's work in making believers acceptable to God ^[6].

Sources

I Peter “I Peter 3:18 (BBE) — Because Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God; being put to death in the flesh, but given life in the Spirit;”
1 Timothy “1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB) — It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace — (1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).”
2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:13: wherein you were inferior--that is, were treated with less consideration by me than were other churches. I myself--I made a gain of you neither myself, nor by those others whom I sent, Titus and others (Co2 12:17-18). wrong--His declining support from the Corinthians might be regarded as the denial to them of a privilege, and a mark of their spiritual inferiority, and of his looking on them with less confidence and love (compare Co2 11:9, Co2 11:11).”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 28.3: become man, and be a partaker of our flesh, that he might be our brother: it was necessary that he should by dying become a sacrifice, that he might make his Father propitious to us. That he might present us holy. Here we have the second and principal part of our salvation — newness of life. For the entire blessing of redemption consists mainly in these two things, remission of sins, and spiritual regeneration. ( Jeremiah 31:33 .) What he has already spoken of was a great matter, that righteousness has been procure”
1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 1:16: Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy,.... Though so great a sinner, and even the chief of sinners: that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering; not that the apostle was the first that was converted upon Christ's coming to save sinners; for there were many converted before him, and very great sinners too, and he speaks of himself as one born out of due time; unless it can be thought that he was the first of the persecutors of the church, upon the death of Stephen, that was converted: but the word "first" is not an "adverb" of time, but a "”
2 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Thessalonians 2:13: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, etc. - In your calling, God has shown the purpose that he had formed from the beginning, to call the Gentiles to the same privileges with the Jews, not through circumcision, and the observance of the Mosaic law, but by faith in Christ Jesus; but this simple way of salvation referred to the same end - holiness, without which no man, whether Jew or Gentile, can see the Lord. Let us observe the order of Divine grace in this business: 1. They were to hear the truth - the doctrines of the Gospel. 2. They were ”

Ask Your Own Question