The Operation of God | Lesson 5

<p>What actually happens the moment we believe the Gospel? Not what we feel, not what we decide to do differently, but what God does to us in that instant? This is the question at the heart of a profound exploration of Colossians 2 and 2 Corinthians 5. The central insight is both humbling and liberating: the transformation from being 'in Adam' to being 'in Christ' is not something we perform but something performed on us. Using the vivid image of a skilled surgeon, we are walked through what Scripture calls the 'operation of God,' a single, decisive, spiritual procedure that takes place the moment a heart believes. The Holy Spirit, working through the Gospel, first illuminates the darkened heart, reproving it of sin, righteousness, and judgment as described in John 16. Then, upon belief, He carries out a complete spiritual work, circumcision without hands, regeneration, indwelling, baptism into Christ's death and resurrection, and sealing. Understanding this changes everything about how we relate to our own assurance. When we grasp that our new identity was done to us rather than by us, our faith is no longer anchored in our performance but in the unshakeable work of God Himself.</p>