Monday: Celebrating Freedom
As we saw earlier, the Sabbath points to more than just the days of creation. The second time we hear the Ten Commandments, Moses is reviewing Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. This time, the sentence introducing the reason for keeping the Sabbath holy is not about creation but rather about liberation from slavery and bondage in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:12-15).
And though, today, we are not slaves in Egypt, we can all face another kind of slavery, one that, in some ways, can be just as oppressive.
What other forms of slavery do we face today? Read Genesis 4:7, Hebrews 12:1, and 2 Peter 2:19.
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
Sabbath is a celebration of freedom from all the things that keep us in bondage. On Sabbath, we are reminded that there is freedom from sin, not in our own power but in the power of God, which is offered to us by faith. We also are reminded that this is a freedom we did not earn. The firstborn Israelite children were saved by the blood of the lamb smeared on the doorposts the evening before their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12). We, too, have been saved by the blood of the Lamb, and are now to walk in the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus.
Read Romans 6:1-7. What is Paul saying here that can be linked to what we have been given in the Sabbath?
In the very wording of Deuteronomy 5:15 — “And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm” (NKJV) — the people are reminded, again, that it was the work and power of God in their behalf that saved them. How much more so should we, as Christians, realize that it’s only the work and power of Christ in our behalf that has saved us from sin?
This command tells us to rest in the salvation that God has earned for us by His mighty arm. We are set free from our own attempts at righteousness as we remember that God is Creator and that we can trust Him to re-create us, too, and to free us, even right now, from the bondage of sin if we are willing to let Him work in us.
| What has been your own experience with the slavery of sin? How can we learn to appropriate for ourselves the promises that we have been given in Jesus of freedom from that slavery? |
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I grew up in an era when all ministers wore white shirts. black suits and ties. And black socks! I have to be fair though, it wasn't just a Seventh-day Adventist thing. The ministers and priests who came to our public school to give religious instruction were similarly dressed.
And our ministers preached a lot about sad things like suffering and persecution. I can remember the children's stories about Huguenots and Waldenses, boiling oil and martyrdom. It is small wonder that when I talk to some of my childhood Adventist friends they are astounded that I am still a Seventh-day Adventist and they talk to me about the freedom that they have found outside the church. The end-time, persecution, close-of-probation mindset still drives much of our thinking, and often we accuse one another (with love, of course) that we are guilty of not searching out sin in our lives so that we can be ready for the latter days.
What do I tell my childhood friends when they question my continued allegiance to my Church? They know all the pet phrases we recite when faced with that question and they slide off like water droplets on the back of a duck. Christianity is about freedom and that freedom is not pie-in-the-sky-bye-and-bye but about now. Our Sabbath worship should reflect that freedom.
I'm smiling(sadly) at the description of your experience while growing up Maurice. I wonder if you know why the black suits? Also, it is unfortunate that you had all those "sad" sermons. Did the churches ever grow in number during that era or did they diminish under that depressing atmosphere? Were there no sermons or SS lessons of cheerful subjects??! What about at home?
Glad to say my experience was quite different while growing up. While there were a lot of legalistic undertones(especially at boarding academy!), the "good news" was always enough to remind one of the "joy of salvation", along with actually knowing what the Bible teaches from personal study, and the many positive stories and accounts of those who served the Lord out of love, gratitude, and faith. Also, I grew up in a home that was for years without TV while most of my school mates talked of TV shows non-stop.
As I have mentioned, our mom made Sabbath a delight and often at family worship, she read such uplifting passages from books like "Early Writings" which always touched my heart, and made it easy for me to take up my own regular reading from these inspired writings in my early adult life, which continues today. We also sang many lovely hymns from the old "Christ in Song" at family worship while mom played the piano.
In past years(late 70's to late 80's) I did see a lot of that somber legalism and stern religion in the older folk, but not all of them. God always has a couple with a positive report to counter the 10 with the "evil report", and I have been always grateful for that!
It wasn't all as bad as I described, but the bits I described were certainly remembered. There were the good bits too. We grew up on a dairy farm and church-going had to fit in between milkings. But, being on a farm meant that we were close to nature, and my parents encouraged a strong love for the environment. Sabbath afternoons was a good time to develop that experience.
As a generalisation, we are typically very under-aware of how much we are 'driven' by our subconscious throughout each day. By default, in every moment of every day, our subconscious is monitoring our present state and correspondingly prompting us to either continue (if it is perceived as desirable) or change (if it is perceived as undesirable) that state. We experience this as an impulse. This is where many people are essentially 'in bondage' to impulse-based living and represents a vulnerability that Satan seeks to exploit (as per 2 Peter 5:8).
The only alternative to this is to exercise our conscious via stepping back and reflecting upon what is going on for/within us so that we can consciously appraise whether it is promoting true freedom and restoration or maintaining bondage. And we best do this asking God's Spirit for insight (Psalm 139:23,24; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Romans 12:2; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 10:12).
Unless you consciously set the 'tone' of your mind, by default the 'tone' of your subconscious mind will set you. And as per the principle in Hebrews 5:14, whatever we practice/repeat grows stronger - regardless of whether that repetition is prompted by the conscious or the subconscious.
While it is good to do the above stepping back and reflecting each day during our devotional time, the extra time and space on Sabbath each week helps further strengthen our God-given capacity to be more mindful and intentional about how we are living - not from a legalism perspective, but from a restoration to the freedom we were originally created to live perspective.
In my experience freedom comes from choosing to give into the invitations of the Holy Spirit to spend time with God, in His Word, and through various venues on the topic of His Word. Various venues prompt me to search the scriptures. Acts 17:11.
Peace of mind which is a form of freedom is thus attained by surrendering my time, to garner a relationship with Him. Morris Vendon used to say spend as much time with God as you do with TV. Now we need to spend as much time with God as we do with our iPad or smart phone.
After I accepted the Faith of Christ to be my choice for guiding my life, my greatest joy now is knowing the authority to which I answer to. Since the Faith of Christ affects everything I am, my conscience is included as well. I rejoice every minute of every day in my experience of the true freedom I have in Christ.
He is now the only judge of the motives of my heart and I trust Him explicitly; my heart and conscience will forever love Him for His Grace and Mercy He extended to me.
I know how busy life can become. To remember and acknowledge my Maker by setting aside His special day of Remembrance is vital for me to keep the balance in my physical and spiritual life.
In 2Peter2:19KJV we read ”While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” Error and its consequences lay in waiting to challenge the sureness of the Freedom we have in God’s Truth of Light and Life.
I do not think that our Maker authoritatively ‘commands’ us to celebrate our new Freedom by remembering our Maker and Liberator on His Day. God appeals to our liberated, grateful heart and conscience to remember our origins - who made us, our purpose and our destiny; we rejoice in having been freed indeed.
In this second reading of the law, Moses reminds Israel of their being liberated from Egyptian bondage by the hand of the Lord as further incentive to obey Him and His commandments given to them on Sinai. Ultimately they must each choose whom to serve, as we must also choose today, demonstrating our choice by how we live. By this reading, Moses is reestablishing the Sovereignty of God as demonstrated by His power against the mightiest nation on the earth at that time. God deserves our absolute trust and perfect obedience. And yes, the Sabbath serves well as a sign of finding Rest from tyranny, whether from Pharaoh or Satan.
The Bible speaks of the Sabbath as a sign, or observance of what has been accomplished for us by our Creator and Redeemer. The best "celebration" of being delivered from sin and death is a holy life.
According to the passage in Romans 6 being cited, we see the means of being delivered from sin. By crucifying self through denial of our natural/sinful desires, and living according to the will of God, the result will be freedom/Rest from sin(Matt 11:28-30; 16:24).
I would say my experience has been similar to everyone born on this fallen world who has found in Christ "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption(1 Cor 1:30). By His life and death, Jesus has shown us how to overcome the world through faith, and its resulting obedience, if we continually abide in Him(John 15:5).
Robert - when I read your comments I usually get the impression that there is doom awaiting those who’s faith is weak and who’s feet stumble. May I point out that our human frailties will always be reflected in our imperfect commitment to walking by faith as well as in our imperfect obedience to Christ’s faith.
I believe that even though Christ Jesus’ Faith was in perfect harmony with the Father’s Will, this perfection is unattainable by us. Because of this circumstance, the Father has placed the assessment of our righteousness squarely into the hands of His authority and to forgive our shortcomings by looking at the heart of man as well as his conduct. We are saved by His Faith, not ours!
There is nothing else by which man can be saved but by faith in the righteousness the Father vested in His Son Christ Jesus alone!
Brigitte, read Revelation 2 & 3,and see what you find there on this subject. There are a host of other scriptures that address this matter, but start with those two chapters for now.
It is true that according to God's word, those weak in faith, who continue to stumble are in peril. This thought should concern every soul who desires salvation. Speaking of this, what exactly is salvation? What does it mean to be "saved"? From what? Also, are you confident that we are saved by "His faith"? What then would be the meaning of Matt 9:22, Heb 11:6, and Luke 18:8?
I will leave this question to ponder: What if the leper healed by Jesus had been 90% healed, is he now saved from leprosy? Would the priest pronounce him "clean"?
Brigitte, I'm puzzling over your assertion that "We are saved by His Faith, not ours!"
Your definition of faith may be different from mine. I understand faith to be such complete trust in God that I will do what He says, knowing it is for my good. I don't see how Christ's faith in the Father can be a substitute for my trust in Him.
(We also exercise faith when we take a check to the bank. We trust that the bank will give us money for it. Then we have faith that the money can be exchanged for material goods, etc. etc. Our lives here run on faith.)
I read of Jesus saying, "Your faith has healed you," at least eight times in the gospels. Did He misspeak?
Inge, I don't want to put words in Brigitte's mouth but possibly she is thinking like I was in my recent post "God will Definitely Give You More Than You can Handle", where I mention I could not even credit my own faith because I had none. It was God's grace. Many scholars agree that in Habakkuk 2 Where it says "The just shall live by his faith" That it is His faith (capital H in His) as it is God's faith they live by. Lamentations 3 talks about how we destroy ourselves by our sins but it is by God's mercies that we have not destroyed ourselves already, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" So again it is God's faithfulness that saves us more than our faith. Revelation 14:12 also mentions the faith OF Jesus as well as Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, and Galatians 3:22. Titus 1:1 talks about the faith of God. Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, so while the Bible does indeed talk about having faith in Jesus it also talks about the Faith of Jesus. Also while Jesus did tell people "your faith has healed you" The Bible also talks about Jesus healing when He saw "their faith" meaning again like in my blog post I shared, I was not the origin of the faith that saved me. as Lamentations 3 speaks it was more of Jesus' Faithfulness that saved me. Jesus is the author of my faith. I get my faith from Jesus and am saved by His faithfulness to me more than my faithfulness to Him. Or you could say its His faithfulness to me that allows me to be faithful to Him. A good example that may tie your understanding and Brigitte's understanding of faith together may be found in Mark 9:23-25 where Jesus tells the man He can heal His son if he believes. The man says I believe please help my unbelief. Jesus heals the man's son as He seems to cling to the faithfulness of Jesus more than His own faith. Those are my thoughts. Does that make sense? Brigitte can let us know if she was talking about what I was talking about. 🙂
Interesting thoughts, William. I had not met the claim that Hab. 2:4 refers to the faith of God. Nor have I seen a translation which capitalizes "His." (I just checked it out at BibleGateway.org You can check to see if I missed something.) But you caused me to do a little research, and the bottom line is that there is no preposition in the original of Habakkuk 2:4. "By his faith" is translated from one Hebrew word transliterated as "'ĕmûnâ." You can look it up by clicking on the link. While the word seems to leave room for the way you appear to see it, the context doesn't seem to indicate it to me.
The rest of the references you use seem to depend on a particular translation.
But then, while I find no support for specific prepositions having great meaning, I do agree with your basic premise - that we are saved by God's faithfuless. As for being saved by "the faith of Jesus," that's a bit questionable. Surely the faith of Jesus was total. But faith is not a "thing" that is transferable from one to another. It is a set of the mind - in the case of Jesus it was a firm trust in the Father's faithfulness. While the faithfulness of Christ is enough to save the whole world, the whole world will not be saved. Only those who put their faith in Him, that is, those who trust Him completely will be saved. Again, since faith is not a "thing," but an action, we need to exercise our faith to be saved. We need to believe His promise to save us, apart from our works. But this comment is too short to cover the subject. So I recommend the chapter "Faith and Acceptance" in the wonderful book, Steps to Christ. (I'm going to re-read it right now!)
I’m sorry Inge, I did not mean to insinuate that translations actually use a capital H. Most translations especially the KJV never use a capital H when referring to God as He or Him. I was just using the capital H in my own writing to make it clear that some scholars believe the “His” in Habakkuk 2:4 is referring to God.
I just want to address Revelation 14:12 which refers to "the faith of Jesus" in some translations and "faith in Jesus" in others. To me the preposition doesn't make a lot of difference regarding the "saints." They believe/trust/have faith in Jesus, and they have the same faith that Jesus had, that is, the faith of Jesus.
The bottom line is that our salvation is in Christ alone, but we must accept that salvation by faith - i.e. by believing His promises in His Word.
Agreed. I see it both ways. It is God’s grace and faithfulness that ignites our faith. It is Jesus who begins and finishes OUR faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are saved by Grace through faith. However my faith does not ignite God’s grace. God’s grace and faithfulness ignites my faith.
The same book that says Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith also says, “ “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”
Hebrews 4:2 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.4.2.NKJV
It is vital that God”s faith produces a faith in us that appreciates the goodness and faithfulness of God. Hebrews 11 talks about the faith God’s people through the ages. However I don’t think Abraham, who lied in Egypt and and slept with his servant is going to be touting his own faith up in heaven. Just like I said in my recent Sabbath School Net post, God saved me by grace when I had no faith. I could go on and say that I have faith now. But once I am in heaven worshiping at the feet of Jesus I will not be crediting my faith. I will be in awe of the faithfulness of Jesus.
I would add John 8:24 to your comment, where Jesus makes it clear that it is our faith, or unbelief, that determines our salvation.
Also, this faith means to act on His teachings that describe how we are to exercise faith through obedience to the Truth He lived and taught(Matt 7:24).
I must disagree. The preposition makes ALL the difference. I firmly believe we are saved by Christ's faithfulness which is what I believe is referred to in Revelation 14:12. Yes, faithfulness can be "transferred" since we are seen by God as blameless not because we were faithful/righteous but because Jesus was and His faithfulness is credited to us.
Otherwise, there is a danger that our faith "in" Jesus becomes a sort of works by which we save ourselves.
As mentioned above, even our faith in Christ's saving faithfulness is a gift from Christ (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).
The illustrations in the Bible where "thy faith has made thee well" were healings on earth for people who eventually died. They were not referring to salvation as I understand it.
Yes, Sieg, we are saved by Christ's faithfulness - something He does for us. Yet we have a part to play, and that is to choose to believe in His faithfulness and ability to save us.
In common English usage "faith" and "faithfulness" have different meanings. But some of the words in the Bible can mean either faith or faithfulness. Thus we have some differences in translation.
As I see it, faith is an action of the will - a choice - to believe in something or to trust a person or institution. Faith in Christ means to trust Christ and believe in His saving power and His promises. (Everyday examples of faith: We exercise faith that a piece of paper has value, and right now I'm exercising faith that what I type on my screen will eventually appear before your eyes. 😊) This action of the will - to trust our salvation to Christ - is not transferable. God respects our choice. (we cannot save anyone else by our faith.)
As I see it, faithfulness refers to behavior that adheres to duty or, in the case of biblical faithfulness, it refers to adherence to covenant relationship and more. We demonstrate our faith in Christ by faithful obedience.
As briefly yet substantively as possible, I propose there are 3 key 'aspects' involved in salvation, each of which reflect similar yet distinct dimensions of faith.
(1) restoration of the human species back into connection with the eternal life that Adam and Eve (as the original 'heads' of the human species) unfortunately were seduced by Satan into forfeiting (Romans 5:12-14) via embracing self-seeking in the wake of loss of faith and trust in God. This is what Jesus as the faithful second Adam achieved via unwavering allegiance/faithfulness to maintaining other-centered loving regardless of any temptation to do otherwise (Romans 5:19, Philippians 2:8).
(2) while the above restoration was achieved to counter the otherwise terminal condition of the human species at a 'species-level' so to speak (as per Romans 5:12-14), each individual member of humanity must necessarily express their freedom of 'choice' to live in accordance with one of the two available options. By default, each human's inheritance by natural birth is that of the 1st Adam - "perishing" (Ephesians 2:1-3; Psalm 51:5; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). However, the Spirit strives to draw each person to restoration of faith and trust in God/Jesus. Where this Spirit-drawing is actively embraced rather than resisted, that individual is born again (John 3:3-6) into a new heart and right spirit (Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26).
(3) via ongoing development of a relationship with God which incorporates ongoing growth and development of the individual's faith in God (Romans 1:17), progressive character restoration occurs as a collaborative partnership between God and the individual. God provides the guidance and the energising and the individual puts that guidance and energising to work (Philippians 2:12-15). And because whatever is practiced becomes progressively stronger (Hebrews 5:14), Christ-like character is re-formed as the individual is progressively restored back to the design that God originally created and intended for humanity: abundant life in Him (John 10:10).
In the Greek, the word sozo refers both to salvation and to healing. Thus, salvation and healing are synonymous and reflective of more than a mere accounting or legal transaction (as per Isaiah 53:5). One person's faith cannot be exchanged for another's - that is not reality.
Also, the Greek word for faith is pistis. Commentators are unanimous that pistis, when used by New Testament writers, refers unequivocally to "divine persuasion" - meaning that faith is our response to having become personally convicted of God's absolute faithfulness across the landscape of history - including the history of our life. Again, faith is inherently personal meaning it can only be and therefore necessarily must be personally embraced and developed. There is work involved - but not all work is inevitably of the 'works' variety.
Great summary of key aspects of salvation, Phil!
Thank you.
Inge and William - Yes, William, I share your understanding of 'faith'. To answer the question about my definition of Faith is three-fold:
The 'Faith of Christ' as the word of God revealed to us as the 'Gospel of Christ Jesus' -
The 'Faith of Christ', actively lived by Him in full trust and loving obedience to the Will of the Father in accordance with His Word -
The faith we express when we believe that Christ's Faith and faithfulness has healed/restored that which was undone when sin/offence placed the human race into bondage to sin and under condemnation.
Rom.3:21-23KJV - "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Rom.5:18-19KJV - "Therefore as by the offence of one [or, by one offence] judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [or, by one righteousness] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall man be made righteous."
Our only active part in this mystery of redemption through faith is to be ever grateful for believing and following the Faith of Christ Jesus, His and His Father's Gospel. We vigilantly maintain this faith in the Word of God because we believe it to be the Truth and Light unto Life, that living it is our true life and will lead to life in the time to come.
Flesh and blood can not reveal this Truth or produce our redemptive faith; our understanding and this special faith are spiritual gifts released to those who believe the Father and His Son as they invite us to join the heavenly family.
Man in his own strength can never believe enough, have faith enough, or learn enough to understand the power of the mystery of Faith - it is released as we love God with all our heart, love our fellow man as He loved us, and do not lean on our own understanding.
My understanding of the Word of the LORD is that we are saved by His grace/mercy when we believe in Jesus Christ and trust that He will fulfill His promises.
1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Amplified Bible Eph 2:8
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;
Heb 11:6
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.
Shirley - thank you for sharing additional Scripture to elevate the importance of Faith and Grace.
Yes, indeed - the Father's Grace and Mercy have established the path which we walk by faith; He is the path as well as the Light of Truth leading mankind back home.
If it were not for His deep Love and Grace/interest to see as many as want to be saved accept His Love, we would be lost forever; humbly, gratefully do we praise our heavenly Father for loving us so patiently.
His loving Grace is long-suffering and kind, His Voice is omnipresent, always calling, always heard and received by those who, with all their heart, seek to know the Truth among the many voices glamouring for attention; it is only He who offers the sure Way - the Truth, Light and Life - which leads home.
Ok, so what does it mean to "believe in Jesus Christ"? Would that require following His teachings(see Matt 7:24)?
How does faith and grace work for sinners in practical everyday living? When asked what one needed to do to be saved, what was Jesus' reply?
Good questions Robert, when we believe Jesus is God and understand His character we will desire to be transformed to have a character like His.
The Holy Spirit through Paul and Peter explains the practical implications of a new character.
Rom 12:1-2 Amplified Bible
1Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
2Peter 1:1-4
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
In my opinion, it is good to see unpacking of terms and concepts that are often used - but unfortunately too infrequently considered and unpacked. And Adventism has quite a few that have accumulated over the years. There is a lot more behind the words that, when entered prayerfully, humbly and mindfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, enables doctrine to become experience. This is the foundation that Adventism began on - a hunger and thirst to better know, understand and experience God and the ways of His Kingdom.
Yes, indeed, Phil! So much deeper joy and appreciation can be ours when 'reflecting' with the patience and curiosity of a treasure seeker to 'unpack' that well known/familiar setting of Truth shared by the Scriptures. Our's is a 'Faith of Experiences', the Experiences of Christ's life of Faith is to become our Experience by faith.
In this discussion on faith, we cannot lose sight of the passage that describes the people of God during the final conflict, who are giving the world its last gospel appeal:
"Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus."(NASB)
If this is not about the believer's faith, but instead, is about Jesus' faith, who then would be lost? Yet it is clear from Jesus' ministry on earth that He unequivocally taught that the sinner must exercise faith IN God's "only begotten Son" in order to "not perish, but have everlasting life"(John 3:16,18). IF it is about Jesus' faith/faithfulness, then why would He state:
"However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”(Luke 18:8)?
What Bible student would question Jesus' faith? His perfect faith/obedience is above all reproach, and therefore is not in question. However, sinners have a choice to make and a faith to exercise if they would find the favor of God. We don't need to argue where this faith comes from(Rom 10:17), we only need to exercise that faith in our lives if we would please God(Heb 11:6), and thus obtain that holiness needed to see God(Heb 12:14).
We have a life of probation on this earth in which we may, by faith, become partakers of the Divine Nature(2 Pe 1:4), first created in Adam and Eve, which they lost through unbelief/sin. Through Christ alone this Divine Nature must be restored, and is possible for those believers who "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit"(Rom 8:1,4). Keep in mind Rom 1:17. In Romans 1-8 Paul refers to the sinner's faith.
The 7 promises of Christ, given in Revelation 2 and 3 are only for "him that overcomes". Notice who's faith gains this victory according to beloved Apostle(1 John 5:4).