Lesson # 4, Review
10/4/20
Good Afternoon saints, Bro. Blades always reminds us throughout the lesson that the “key” to living a successful, functional, grace life, depends upon if we understand and appreciate, who God has made us to be in Christ Jesus. In other words, understanding our “moniker (identity) of righteousness,” In Christ,” and we were “made the righteousness of God in Christ,” the moment we trusted in Christ as our Substitute Redeemer and Savior. (2 Cor. 5:21)
1. Now, that we are “In Christ,” we can understand and appreciate the three components of our justification, (1) forgiveness of ALL our sins, past present and future: “In whom (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, according to the riches of his grace.”….and you (& I), being (twice dead) gentiles hath God made alive, having forgiven us all our trespasses (sins).” Now, that we are “In Christ,” we have (2) “the righteousness of Christ imputed” (transferred) to our account; and we are now (3) “reconciled to God, we have received the atonement” at-one-ment, no more enemies, we are at permanent peace with God. (Col. 2:13; Eph. 1:7; Rom. 3:20-26; 5:9-11).
2. Now, that we are “In Christ,” we understand the issue of our “sanctification,” in which there are also three components we are now (1) dead to sin, “How shall we, that are dead to sin live any longer therein?” We were by nature (In Adam) sinners, we were dead positionally, (and of course functionally), “dead in trespasses and sins,” hopelessly guilty before God. But, praise God, for the “operation of God,” the Holy Spirit, baptizing us into the cross work of Christ, putting us into Christ, now we are “dead to sin.” (Rom. 6:2; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27).
3. Now, Paul says, since you understand and appreciate, that “In Christ,” you have “the forgiveness of sins,” your “imputed righteousness,” your “atonement,” and your ”dead to sin.” Paul says, Now, “Reckon (count, consider) yourselves dead indeed unto sin, but (2) alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Christ’s death upon the cross satisfied the justice of God, and we are the beneficiaries of the resurrected, ascended, glorified, Christ and given a new identity. (1 Cor. 15:22; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:7; Rom. 6:11).
4. We remember how we used to behave and conduct ourselves, when we were “In Adam.” Our disgusting former abomination, “as servants of sin,” we were dead to righteousness, we brought fruit unto death, that Gods justice could not accept (Cain -unrighteous and Abel-righteous). Paul says, now in Christ we been “made free from sin, yield your members as instruments of righteousness, you have become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, the end of holiness sanctification is everlasting life”. We can now bear fruit (“fruit of the Spirit“) in the details of our lives, that is acceptable to God, and will stand the test of fire (doctrine) at the judgment seat of Christ. (1 Cor. 15:22; Rom. 6:20; 22; 13; 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 5:22)
5. And now, Paul brings before us the glorious privilege of being treated like adult (3) sons of God, in the dispensation of grace. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” We function as adult sons. We want to please our father and labor with Him, and we have received the Spirit of adoption. We are in Christ and have the glorious privilege of sonship, the Spirit of God in us is the guarantee of the future “redemption of our body” when the sons of God will be revealed. As sons, we are no longer following “the course of this world,” but rather giving honor and glory to God, and
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always “pressing toward the mark” of “what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God,” that is sonship privilege, folks. That is “putting on Christ.” (Rom. 8:14-15; 23; 18; Phil. 3:14; Rom. 12:2; Gal. 3:26).
6. Our Exaltation: After being made the righteousness of God in Christ, we have been made the holiness of God, in Christ. Now comes exaltation in Christ: being made the glory of God, in Christ. We used to belong to Satan and were citizens of his kingdom. But Now, God has made us to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. And we have been “delivered from the power of darkness, and have been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.” Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given him a name which is above every name. We have been exalted with Christ, we have a brand new citizenship and an identity bearing a moniker of righteousness now. (Col.1:12; 13; Phil. 2:9).
7. God is forming the “one new man,” the church, Body of Christ, (CBOC) which we are part of. And God’s plan and purpose for the CBOC is that we would experience “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” “And God hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” God in His genius manifold wisdom Is going to take Satan and his principalities and powers in the heavenly places, in their own craftiness and remove them from their positions, and repossess, reconcile them back to God, through the instrumentality of the one new man, CBOC. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! (Eph. 2:15; 1:3; 2:6; 3:10).
And finally, saints, we have a heavenly “vocation,” (a calling) to “walk worthy” of our exalted status. We will replace and occupy the heavenly places. As we celebrate the “manifold wisdom of God” by making known the mystery of Christ, we send an Impact (testimony) in the heavenly places, and this Impact (testimony) is a constant reminder of the Glory of God’s genius, and confronts Satan with the assurance of the complete destruction of him and his plan of evil. (Eph. 4:1; 3:4; Col. 2:15; Gen. 3:15).
Colman J. Gilliland 