(Lesson # 5)
1. The moment we trusted Christ, based on the shed blood of our substitute redeemer, our savior, the first judicial transaction took place. God the Holy Spirit baptized and sealed us into Christ (which is the mechanical means by which we are put into Christ), and “we were made the righteousness of God,” in Christ, unto eternal life. That is our (1) “justification.” Justification has replaced condemnation. In that same moment that we first trusted Christ, the second judicial transaction took place, we were also made the holiness of God, in Christ. That is our (2) “sanctification.” And sanctification replaced our abomination. And then, the third judicial transaction took place the same moment we first believed. We were also (3) “exalted” in Christ, raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ. Exaltation replaced our alienation. This is our three-fold position “in Christ. When we positively respond to the gospel, God honors our faith. To God be the glory! (Romans 6:3-4; 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:21; 6:23; Rom. 3:20-28; Gal. 3:26-28; Col. 1:12-14; Eph. 1:19-23; 2:4-10).
2. And once again, the key to living a successful, functional grace life, is knowing who God has made us to be, in Christ Jesus, and living consistent, steady, no conflict, to our identity. “Presenting our bodies (literally, physically) as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is a reasonable service. And not to be conformed to this world (publicly or privately), but be transformed (changed by the renewing, refreshing, recharging of your mind, (in your inner man) that you may prove (validate) what is that good decision, and acceptable decision, and perfect decision, that is the will of God.” This is “walking after the spirit,” mindfulness, mindful of who we are “in Christ.” Particularly, our sanctification, being “dead to sin,” and alive unto Christ, our glorious “sonship,” that is “putting on Christ.” The “motions of sin” are designed to show us our hopelessness, and helplessness, in our Adamic state. (Rom. 12:1-2; 8:4; Gal. 3:26; 6:2; 6:11; 8:14; Gal. 4:6.7; 3:27; Rom. 7:5).
3. Grace is unmerited, undeserved, favor from God, therefore grace has gifted us the fullness of our identity in Christ, our position. The moment we trusted Christ as a substitute Redeemer, The Holy Spirit identified us in Christ, and with Christ, and gave to us a moniker (ID) of righteousness. So we don’t have to live under sin, in Adam, any longer, we can now live choose to live a life that is pleasing to God, for He has given us under grace, “forgiveness of all sins,” imputed righteousness, permanent “atonement,” “dead to sin” now, and “alive unto God,” we have a glorious sonship status, a heavenly vocation, calling, our citizenship is in the heavenly Kingdom, we are part of the “one new man” (CBOC). (Eph. 1:7; 4:1; Eph. 2:15).
4. Romans 6:14. For “Ye are not under the law, but under grace”. Yes, many believers are trying to live a life pleasing to God while under the law, we have family members, and we to, before we knew better, how to rightly divide the truth, we tried to live under the law. This happens when you don’t know or aren’t mindful of who you are in Christ. The law system will not permit you to put your position in Christ into practice. It is like putting water in your gas tank, you’re not going anywhere, fast! In fact, the law shows there is no strength in your flesh to keep it. Paul teaches that If any man is trying to live under the law, you are trying to operate in your old sin nature, in Adam. Now, we remember Romans survey, where we learned the elementary, fundamental doctrinal truths. Romans 7:5; “when we were in the flesh, the motions of sin which were by the law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (2 Tim. 2:15).
2.
5. The “motions of sin” are designed to show us our hopelessness, and helplessness of our Adamic state. This lesson is designed to show us the difference between living under the law and living under grace. Moses taught the people of Israel the issue of justification, sanctification, an exaltation, If they kept God’s laws, precepts, standards, and commandments. The “If/Then” concept was in force under the law.
When Israel signed the law contract (and willingly, I might add), they made the same mistake believers in the religious system are making today, they overlooked Gods Jehovah-ness (Grace) and thought they could merit, earn such blessings by their own sinful Adamic flesh/nature.
6. The law system is a conditional performance system. IF you DO perform the stipulation set forth in the law, THEN you get something from God. (Blessings). However, If you DO not perform, you also get something from God also, (cursings). Paul states in Romans 10:15 “Israel had a zeal, (enthusiasm eagerness, interest) of God but not according to knowledge.” They were ignorant of God’s righteousness (God’s gift of grace) they were going about trying to establish their own sinful, fleshy righteousness, which was a violation of the law contract, they had not submitted themselves unto the righteousness(Grace) of God. (Rom. 10:1-4).
7. “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.” The end of the law, to everyone that believes is, in Christ. Christ is the beginning of grace. And I love the verse in Romans 15:4, no wonder Paul writes: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime (in time past) were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.” The law aforetime, shows us that we cannot attain the merits of God’s righteousness through human performance, our own efforts, righteousness apart from God’s grace.
8. Romans 6:14, “sin shall not have dominion (or rulership) over you.” The natural tendency of the flesh (in Adam) is to do the opposite of this verse. The flesh thinks it ought to be under the law, performance system (works) not knowing the law of the flesh set in motion, sin in your members, we are not under the law, but under grace. Grace has given us perfect justification, perfect sanctification, perfect exaltation and we are to be mindful of it, mindful of who we are, and mindful of our collective sonship positions, and practice agape love, valuing and esteeming what God values and esteems. Agape love is esteeming others better than yourself.
9. In Colossians 2:4-8. Apostle Paul is warning these mature Saints about the danger from enticing words that are designed to draw them (and us too) away from their identity, back under the law. Col. 2:4; “And this I say, lest any man should beguiled (deceive) you with enticing words (persuasive arguments), (5) be steadfast In the faith, (6) so you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk (live, conduct and behave yourself) in Him . (7)Rooted and built up in Christ and “stablished” (After you are established, the foundation has been laid of fundamental, elementary, doctrines), we need to be “stablished” (or made stable, secured, strengthened, undergirded, how? By further doctrine, superstructure doctrines found in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. (Rom. 16:25; Col. 2:7).
3.
10. Paul warns that the Satanic policy of evil is designed to take the believer captive, how? (8) through philosophy, and intellectual babble (vain deceit), according to the traditions of men, following the elementary principles of this world, and “not after Christ.“ let us pray for each other to be mindful of our identification in Christ. Remember, we are justified by faith, sanctified by faith, and exalted, in Christ by faith. Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the Liberty where Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again, with the yoke of bondage.”
“Put on the whole armor of God, that he may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in evil day, and having done all to stand (Eph.6:1-3).
As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith”. (Gal. 6:10).
Colman J. Gilliland 