What Can God Do With a Sinner?

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His goodness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4-7.

This is God’s plan with a sinner. He wants to show “the exceeding riches of His grace in His goodness toward us”—to each and every sinner. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ has this possibility. Previously they lived according to their carnal desires and were driven by the spirit that works in the children of unbelief. However, by faith they can experience this great transformation of being set in heavenly places in Christ Jesus and being led by the Holy Spirit. When our human spirit is set in heavenly places we are led from heaven, and through this leading God’s “exceeding riches of His grace in His goodness” comes over us. The flesh, with its passions and desires, which we previously followed and which made us children of wrath, has been crucified now. This is a fact in the lives of those who belong to Jesus Christ. Gal. 5:24.

We continue to read about what He wants to do with the sinner who has come to faith. “To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:19. Only with our flesh crucified and with our spirit in heaven can we be led to an understanding of Christ’s love for us—the riches of His goodness—which He intends to show us. This surpasses all understanding. That is why we must be completely surrendered to Him, so He can lead us without encountering any resistance from our understanding. Only then can we be led to understand the love of Christ—that goodness which He wants to show us. His intention with all this is that we might be filled “with all the fullness of God.”

We have plenty of opportunities to observe those who live according to their carnal lusts, and are led by them, and the fullness they come to in their spirit. We can see such people all around us and read about them in the newspapers. Once they have become somewhat older, seeing them can serve as a dire warning. Long after their bodies have become so weak that they have to stay home because they cannot get around anymore, the content of their spirit is made manifest by their bitter words, vile stories, and malice. No one likes to be together with them. They feel lonely, but even then only a few people learn from it.

But think of the opposite, “all the fullness of God,” which we can obtain by being led from heaven. It is glorious to be in such people’s presence when they are old. They do not suffer from a feeling of loneliness. Young people who are seeking God want to be with them. And think of the glory God has prepared for such people once they have passed out of their corruptible body. 1 Cor. 2:9.

We read further what God can and will do with a sinner who has come to faith. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21.