God in you! That is what makes you a Christian - nothing less than that! A beautiful moral life, regular church attendance, good works, these, however commendable, cannot make you a Christian.
There are two aspects of salvation:
The negative aspect
Forgiveness! Christ takes my sins away! God says: 'Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.' Isaiah 55:7.
'Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow ...' Isaiah 1:18
There is no sin too vile, no wickedness too great, no evil too revolting for God to forgive. 'Thou shalt call His Name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins' Matt. 1:21. Oh for a revelation of this sin within us, that we will run to God for His gracious forgiveness! When we see sin in its awful filthiness and dreadful degradation, when we see it with eyes enlightened by God's convicting Spirit, we will long desperately to be clean, and we will cry to God for His forgiveness and cleaning. And He will freely forgive! He will embrace the penitent sinner. Forgiven! What a word! What balm to the sin-corrupted soul! What healing to the tortured mind! What joy to the seeking heart! Forgiven of all my sins! If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgives us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' 1 John 1:9
The positive aspect
Christ liveth in me!' Galatians 2.20.
We, creatures of dust, are make 'partakers of the divine nature!' This amazing experience is that of every true child of God. God in man; Deity indwelling humanity! A Christian is one in whom God dwells. He has God's life and is therefore God's child. As God's child he will inherit God's home, and he will dwell with God forever.
How does God come to dwell in us? You will remember that the best-known verse in the Bible says: 'For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son ...' John 3:16. In John 1:12 we read 'But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God.' God gives Himself to us in the person of His Son. As we in faith, take the proffered gift, so He comes into our hearts, and, because of His own presence there, we are made His children. We are to take His great gift of life in Christ Jesus. this is an act of faith. If someone held out a gift of a watch or pen to you, it would be foolish for you to stand gazing at it, hoping that it would one day be yours. Your are to reach out your hand, believing that the person is sincere and truthful when he says that you can have it, and take it.
In the same way God offers us life in Christ Jesus. We are to take Him by faith. Will you do so now?
Come then and pray from your heart this simple prayer: 'Lord Jesus, acknowledging that I am a sinner, and knowing that You died to save me, I ask You to forgive all my sins, and to come into my heart making me Your child. Thank you for hearing me and for saving me now. Amen.'
He is true to His Word. he will forgive and will come into the heart of every one who seeks Him and trust Him. he will come into your heart! Won't you trust Him now?
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Colin Peckham (1936 - 2009)
Was Principal of Faith Mission Bible College, Edinburgh. Mary Peckham (nee Morrison) (1932-2010) was born on the Isle-of-Lewis and was converted in the 1949 revival. She spent fourteen years in evangelistic ministry, seeing true revival on two occasions in her ministry, before marrying Colin in 1969. They are both survived by three adult children and two grandchildren.A life of blessing and fullness stretched before me; a life to be maintained as a constant walk in the Spirit by the vital elements of faith and obedience. On Monday 9th November 2009 at his home in Broxburn near Edinburgh, Scotland, Rev Dr Colin Peckham was suddenly and quietly called home to be with the Lord. There was a service of thanksgiving at Charlotte Chapel, West Rose Street, Edinburgh on Monday 16th November 2009 at 10.30am.