More than just forgiveness!

"For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:10)

If your perception has been that calvary is only about the forgiveness of sins, afterwhich we as christians merely cower into an insecure leopard-crawl until we finally get to heaven, then you are about to receive some good news (and not from me, but from the Word Himself). Romans 5:10 indicates a distinction between us being reconciled through Christ's death, and access to a life of abundance through Christ's resurrection.

Throughout the Old Testament, the only thing necessary for the forgiveness of sins was a suitable sacrifice - all that was required was bloodshed. That is why scripture says, "when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son" (Italics is mine)- His death/bloodshed was enough to reconcile sinful man to God.

However, more than forgiveness and reconciliation has been made available. This verse goes on to say that now having been reconciled (through His death), it's His resurrection (His life) that overcame death and thereby caused us not only to be forgiven through His blood, but ALSO able to walk in abundance, as overcomers and more than conquerors (boldly).

The first part of this verse refers to sinners ("enemies" of God), and proclaims reconciliation for them through Christ's death. The second part refers to those now reconciled (no longer "enemies" of God), and proclaims salvation ("saved") for them through Christ's life/resurrection.

The Greek word for "saved" here is Sodzo, and actually includes healing, deliverance, protection and to "do well". We tend to use the word "saved" to describe the "point in time" when we become a child of God, but, God's Word uses the Greek word "sodzo" to describe the whole realm of benefits we receive - past, present, and future.

The purpose of Christ (as seen here), is both reconciliation and abundant life, yet satan continues to deceive many believers to think that they "owe God" for forgiving them, while in fact God has so much more for us to walk into...here on earth.

The awesome thing about this abundant life, is that we don't work for it, but rather access it freely by faith - through revelation of God's love for us, and an intimate relationship with our Father. How can we work for something that Jesus has already paid for?

The reason why many believers don't experience fullness of joy and true abundant life, is because they aren't personally walking with God, in a relationship that truly believes and understands how much God actually loves them, and wants to lavish His glorious riches upon His sons and daughters.