In Life on the Highest Plane Pt. 3, Ruth Paxson explains who new believers are a new order of people. Born from above. See Life on the Highest Plane Pt.2 in a previous post.

When Jesus cried out, “It is finished” what did that mean? That which was lost to the control of Satan in the Garden of Eden was possible to regain through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From then on humans would be in two classes two groups, two orders of beings – either in Adam, by natural birth or in Christ by spiritual birth. A new order, a new community of people.

The chasm was bridged by the life and death of Christ. Salvation was possible for all people, but only those who truly repented and acknowledged their need for a savior would become the children of God. Available to all, but not all would admit their need. John 5:40, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”  It is far more than accepting a belief and more than adopting a way of life, a reformation. It is being born again. Christ became the first of a new order of people. We can only become part of that group by birth, spiritual birth, being born again. John 3:7, “You must be born again.”

We can be a really good person, but God is only concerned with our acceptance or rejection of His Son. When we count ourselves good enough, we refuse Jesus as our savior. That God cannot tolerate.

People live in two spheres. Each requires birth into that sphere. We are physically born into a physical world. To live in the spiritual sphere with Jesus Christ, we must be born again spiritually. Each sphere cannot be understood except by birth. John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 1:13 “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

We can become a member of that new order by new birth in which we receive something. It is not something we do. It is not a set of rules we live by. It is not by avoiding certain behaviors. It is in receiving something.

Have you received something from God? Namely, the life of God. It is His life planted in you that makes you of the new order.

The moment we accept Christ as our only salvation, we step from the natural into the spiritual realm. We become a member of a new order of being.

It is the beginning. Not instant perfection, but a new birth. If allowed, that life of God will permeate our whole being transforming us into a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Our old lifestyle, our weaknesses, our behaviors, our addictions, our way of thinking and living will change. Some instantly, others take time.

Our natural (Adamic) nature died with Christ on the cross. Do we not realize this? Maybe it is because it is never mentioned. If we read Romans 6 we will see how this happened and how it should impact our lives. It is not something in the future that we have to accomplish through much effort. No, it was done. We were crucified with Christ. Not will be. Were.

After crucifixion came the resurrection. Our co-resurrection with Christ. We were raised to new life when Christ rose from the dead. Our old life is dead. Not gone, but rendered powerless. It is now up to us to choose. We can listen to our old flesh or we can turn and submit ourselves to God as alive from the dead. Turn away from the old life. Turn toward God. What an adventure! What a life He promises to those who follow Him!

We are now in Christ. In Christ Alone. There are many references in Apostle Paul’s writing of being “in Christ” or “in Him” that shed light on our new position, or new life. I will list a few with links to each verse if you don’t have a Bible handy.

Ephesians 1:4,6          Ephesians 2:13              1 John 2:6              Philippians 3:9

Colossians 2:9-10            2 Corinthians 5:17                   2 Corinthians 2:14

When we are born again, we enter a new sphere where the will of God is supreme. He is Lord. A loving, kind, and merciful Lord. But Lord, nevertheless.

Out of gratitude, we can surrender our lives to Him. He didn’t have to come up with a plan to save us. He didn’t have to send His precious Son to live and die for us. But He did. Gladly will we surrender our lives to His control and follow Him. I Surrender All

How incredible it is to have the life of Christ in us empowering us to live for Him, meeting our needs, and providing guidance.

After we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and submitted to Him as our Lord, we can appropriate Him as our life. All our resources are in Him. Do we need patience? It’s in Him. Do we need to love someone we don’t really like? It is found in Him. Do we need to be kind instead of rude? It is in Him. It is found in His life. All He has is ours. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

Words to light your path        

Romans 6:11 “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Colossians 3:34 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life…”

As Ruth Paxson says, “Christ becomes the Life of our life.” He is what powers our lives. He is our motivation. He is our ability. We still live, but it is different.

Loving Heavenly Father, Salvation was all Your idea. You want to save us. You want to provide for us. In Christ, Your Son, You have provided for all we need to be accepted by You and to live a life acceptable to You. Because we are so grateful, we now surrender our lives to You and give You permission to live through us. May we actively yield to You and receive from You all we need.

All references are taken from the New King James Version.

If you missed the previous posts on this topic see Life on the Highest Plane, Pt. 1.