The Christian life begins when the Holy Spirit awakens the sinner to the holiness of God, the weight of sin, and the insufficiency of self-righteousness, bringing the soul to repentance and faith in Christ. Far from being avoided, this work of conviction is a necessary mercy, for the good news of grace is only truly understood when we first reckon with the bad news of guilt and judgment.

Through the cross, Jesus became our propitiation—bearing the full wrath of God so that we might be reconciled to Him. His blood satisfied divine justice, turned aside God’s holy anger, and made peace between sinners and a holy God. This is the heart of the gospel.

All true Christian experience must begin with sound doctrine. That is why elders are given the responsibility to “teach sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it” (Tit. 1:9).

To become a genuine believer in Jesus Christ, a miracle must happen. You must be born again (John 3:3). The new birth, which comes through the Holy Spirit’s application of the Word of God to our hearts, recalibrates our souls (1 Pet. 1:23).