Of the two factors in religion, God and man, most would agree that God should be the central focal point. To give man equal or greater attention would be a mistake. Yet, because of the fall, man became self-centered, egocentric, and is naturally inclined to place himself on center stage.
In Part II, Romans 3:24-26 was used to show that the true believers have redemption, justification, and righteousness IN Christ. Not in themselves but IN Christ.
Humanity has been saved by God's work of grace IN Jesus Christ.
There are two aspects to God's work of grace:
#1 - God's work in
Christ; and
#2 - God's work in man.
In Part II, Ephesians 1:14 was used to show that the Holy Spirit's work in man is just the earnest money, the deposit guaranteeing the believer's inheritance, which is IN Christ. A small work in man is the result of accepting the large work in Christ.
It may be said that God's plan of salvation is as simple as one, two: #1 in Christ, and #2 in us.
The Adversary of God is attempting to make the plan of salvation as simple as two, one.
Of course, this doesn't sound simple. It sounds confusing, doesn't it?
In the ancient language, the word "Babylon" means "gate of God" or "Heaven's Gate". In the Bible, "Babel" means confusion.
Babylon is a confused gate of God. Babylon is the great antithesis of Biblical religion.
In the last days, one of the last great messages to be proclaimed is that Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and God's people are to come out of her. Revelation 18:1-4
It appears that God's true people will be confused by a false gate of Heaven, by a confused plan of salvation which is as simple as two, one.
To take what God has given man - redemption, justification, and righteousness - IN Christ, and place it IN man, is to make man a false Christ.
The belief that man is saved by something that takes place IN man - a new heart, a new nature, by being born again - is a confused gate of Heaven, a confused gospel which places man and his experience as the means of salvation rather than Christ and His experience of a perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.
Man and his experience is being given equal or more attention than Christ and His experience.
The true Christ has within Himself the believer's redemption, justification, and righteousness.
To place what we have in Christ, in man, makes man a substitute for Christ, an anti - in place of - Christ.
Jack D. Walker, 5353
Cane Ridge #115, Antioch, TN, 37013, 615.731.8795