1. In Romans 1:15-5:2; Apostle Paul teaches the fullness of what transpired the moment we trusted the LJC as Savior. This trust resulted in the 1st judicial transaction (cornerstone) of justification. God forgave all our sin past, present and future, & declared us righteous unto eternal life. At the same time, God imputed (transferred) the righteousness of Christ to our account. We are now clothed in His righteousness alone. And this 1st Judicial transaction of justification is our standingbefore God. Romans 5:1-3 teaches us that we have three judicial possessions as a result of justification. Being justified, we now have (1) peace with God, (2) access by faith, (3) rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
a. Saints, God wants us to understand and appreciate the nature, the permanent standing of judicial justification that we possess. This is how God views us in Christ. The first thing God wants us to know is our identity, position, and possession in Christ. Our eternal destiny (just like His Preserved Word) is now forever settled in Heaven. God’s justice responded properly & positively to our faith, and God settled our sinful outstanding account. We are saved from His wrath to come, the lake of fire. And again, the key to living the successful grace life is first, understanding and appreciating who God made us to be in Christ, and then allowing God to live the life of Christ through us.
2. Next and foremost, God is looking for a proper and positive response to the 2nd judicial transaction (cornerstone) of our practical sanctification. In other words, God is concerned with the state, or condition of our daily walk as believers. Is the doctrine working effectually in the details of our lives? This is where the rubber meets the road. Paul told the Corinthian saints in 1 Cor. 6: they were living inconsistent to who God had made them to be in Christ. In other words, they weren’t functioning in their identity, in Christ.
a. After listing a sample of sins that keep people from inheriting the Kingdom of God such as fornicators, idolators, adulterers, effeminate, thieves, drunkards, extortioners, Paul says: “and such WERE some of you; but ye are washed, but you are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.” Saints, we are cleansed from our sins and have been set apart, sanctified, made holy, unto God. This is “Positional Sanctification,” our standing in Christ is Complete!
b. Now, because we belong to God, God instructs the saint to live a life of separation! 2 Cor. 6:17 “Come out from among them and be ye separate said the Lord and touch not the unclean thing (religious system) & I will receive you.” 2 Cor.7:1 says: “Having therefore these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” We as grace believers should never forget God saved us for His own glory and for His own purpose and that we are saved unto good works.
2 Timothy 2:19-21 makes this clear:
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house (CBOC) there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work.”
c. We as grace believers belong to God now! Therefore we ought to live for him today in our identity and every day the Lord gives us. And finally, 1 Thess. 4:13-18 teaches that the time will come when
2.
the Lord shall give a shout and we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This will be our final sanctification. We will once and for all be set apart from this world, and “so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” “UNTIL THEN” CARRY ON SAINTS!!
That folks, is a proper and positive response to our identity in Christ, and our practical sanctification!!
Colman J. Gilliland 