Believers need to understand the Truth

BCsenior said:

Yup ... so does James!

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Paul didn’t. And Paul wrote the bulk of doctrine to the body of Christ. Is there a contradiction or a misunderstanding in our interpretation? There are a number of interpretations of James which I’m sure you are aware of.

Bible Highlighter said:

First, you did not attempt to explain the verses I brought forth that refer to how John was talking to believers and not unbelievers in John's 1st epistle (Which means 1 John 1:9 is written to the believer and not the unbeliever).

Second, James says show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:18). So when the just LIVE by faith, they live it out by doing good works. For faith without works is dead (James 2:17). James says that we are justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).

As for Romans 6:17 that says we become obedient from the heart:

Well, you also need to weigh that verse in the balance of other verses that say things like this to the believer:

“...We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:13-14).

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,...” (James 1:12).

“...He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13).

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10).

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life,...” (Revelation 2:7).

"...He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11).

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,...” (Revelation 3:5).

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21).​

In fact, we are told to:

1. Continue in the grace of God (Acts of the Apostles 13:43).
   
   
2. Continue in the faith (Acts of the Apostles 14:22) (Colossians 1:23).
   
   
3. Continue in his goodness, otherwise we can be cut off (just like the Jews were cut off) (Romans 11:21-22).

How can these above truths in Scripture be true if the believer just automatically obeys?

You also quoted Colossians 2:6 that says,
"as you have received Christ Jesus, so walk in Him. "

I am not sure how this verse helps you. Walking in Jesus is about keeping His commandments.

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." (2 John 1:6).

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." (John 15:10).

Paul says if any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ let him be accursed (1 Corinthians 16:22). This means if we are not loving Jesus in the way that Jesus wants by the keeping of His commandments, we are accursed.

As for your reference to Ephesians 2:8-9:

This is talking primarily about "Initial Salvation." For by grace are saved through faith, and not that of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Gifts are received how many times? One time. So this is referring to "Initial Salvation." Ephesians 2:1 says that you have been quickened. How many times have you been quickened? I am assuming one time, right? So this is referring to "Initial Salvation." Ephesians 3:17 talks about how Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. So Paul is talking about how Christ needs to dwell in a person's heart (i.e. Initial Salvation).

Ephesians 2:9 is referring to "Man Directed Works Alone Salvationism" (Without God's grace) because it is referring to how a man would boast in his own work.

I believe God does the good work through me as Scriptures teaches (John 15:5) (Philippians 2:13). This means any good work done in my life results in me boasting in God and not in myself. Ephesians 2:9 is referring to a man directed work whereby he would boast in himself about it.

For I do not believe I am saved by works of my own power in how I am initially or ultimately saved. I believe I am initially and ultimately saved by God's grace.

Ephesians 2:10 switches gears and talks about God directed works done through the believer because they are the kind of works that the believer is created to do in Christ Jesus since the foundation of the world.

Paul is saying do not put the cart before the horse.

However, why did Paul appear at times to speak against works and or the Law?

Well, Paul was fighting against "Circumcision Salvationism" (Which is Law Alone Salvationism without God's grace); A certain sect of Jews were trying to deceive some Christians into thinking they had to first be circumcised in order to be saved. This was a heresy that was clearly addressed at the Jerusalem council (See Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24). Paul also addressed this problem; Paul said to the Galatians that if you seek to be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2), and then Paul mentions how if you seek to be justified by the Law, you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). This "law" is the Torah because circumcision is not a part of the commands given to us by Jesus and His followers.

Paul was not against the necessity of obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ.

For Paul says if any man does not agree with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud and he knows nothing (1 Timothy 6:3-4).

James says God resists the proud and He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

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Question for you: Do you believe we are living in the New Covenant?

Pepper77 said:

Question for you: Do you believe we are living in the New Covenant?

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If you were to read the signature that is at the bottom of each of my posts, your question will be answered.

Pepper77 said:

You believe salvation is by faith plus works.

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After we are saved by God's grace,
God’s works (done through us) are also required as a part of the Salvation Process:


(Here are a List of Verses):



“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18).

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16).

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, "(1 Timothy 6:3-4).

"...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6).

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2).

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:9).

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

“...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13).

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16).

“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:4).

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (1 Corinthians 16:22).

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10).

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” (Luke 10:25-28).

“...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:17-19).

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).

”If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:24-26).

"...No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62).

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21).

"But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God." (Romans 2:8-11).

“And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:29).

”And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:12-15).

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20).

“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:21-22).

"...but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17).

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11-12).

“...And having become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22).

”Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40).

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:41-46).

”His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

”And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30).

”Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [i.e. as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against him in the desert.”] (Hebrews 3:12-15) (Note: The explanation on verse 15 in brackets is taken from the Living Bible Translation (TLB)).

”Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)” (Hebrews 3:10-11).

”Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:11).

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:10).

“He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47).

Bible Highlighter said:

If you were to read the signature that is at the bottom of each of my posts, your question will be answered.

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I ask because of passages that indicate with the fulfillment of the New Covenant God will cause His children to obey Him by putting His Spirit within them, taking out their heart of stone and giving them a new heart. Ezek 36:26-27; Jer 32:39-40. The Mosaic Covenant could never do this because the Old law was the knowledge of sin Rom 3:20, and is not made for a righteous man but unrighteous 1Tim 1:9. Under the Old Covenant God said, Follow my commands and I will bless you. Under the New Covenant, which was accomplished through the slaying of the perfect lamb of God, God says Trust/Believe in my Son as your sacrifice and I will change you and cause you to walk according to my will. A true believer will love the Lord God and follow the law of the Spirit, because God has caused that. He has circumcised his heart through Christ's sacrifice and he dies, is buried and is raised with Christ with a new heart that does love God. Col 2:10-13. We have been given an obedient heart so we do obey the Lord. Those who do not continue in the faith were never His. Just as now, back then there were many in the assemblies who claimed the name of Christ but were not born of the Spirit. They needed to continue on to true faith. Of course Paul, Peter, John, James knew this. It may take awhile for different people, they taste but have not actually been born of God. Christ died once, was buried once and was raised once. That is true of those who are joined to Him. The old man dies once and is buried once and is raised once as a new man, joined to Christ. I may be wrong, but it seems your focus is on what we need to do. My focus is on what God has done and is doing in me, and I continue to trust that He will do what He has promised. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life I which I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me." Gal 2:20 My old man is dead. I am a new man (actually woman) who walks by faith in the Son of God to complete His work in me. I do abide because He has joined me to Him. It's His work.

BCsenior said:

This concerns ... Is salvation by faith plus works?

James taught that salvation is by faith plus works?
Jesus taught that salvation is by works ... BIG TIME
... in the last section of Matthew 25.

And, of course, He taught it is by belief/faith in Him in all 4 gospels.

But, if you take ALL of the NT into account, we see:
True saving faith = enduring belief/faith, obedience,
repentance, no habitual sin, practicing righteousness, etc.
There are many NT verses which teach us this!

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John 6:28-29....Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Our life in Christ all flows from that...faith in Him.

BCsenior said:

I shall repeat myself once again ...

Those who do not reconcile ALL of the NT verses
on both sides of an issue have a big problem ...

... because they choose to ignore and/or reject
all of the verses on the opposite side
of what they believe.

And one such issue is ...
the so-called OSAS NT verses
versus
the NT verses which oppose OSAS.

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I have reconciled them. You have pulled way too many verses out of context, and applied them to believers when they don't apply. What you do not seem to believe is that God transforms a sinner to a saint, indwelt by the living Christ, one who died with Him, was buried and was raised to new life joined with Him.

BCsenior said:

What you don't seem to understand is that:
A non-believer in a church cannot LOSE eternal life!
A non-believer in a church cannot GAIN eternal death!
Wanna see the verses? ... No!

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You are right....nor can a believer lose it. And I'm sure you've already quoted the verses, but you are misapplying them.

BCsenior said:

'Tis easy to give an opinion ... Why don't thouest showest how?

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I believe I have numerous times. "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still". Ever heard that? To me, you are not open to what I have to present. Your intentions are to prove your belief only, not to consider another one. How about this saying? "You can prove anything from the Bible". I have come to see that debate usually is a waste of time. Each side is intent on proving their view. I engage at times in the hope that someone who is open to seeing another side, interpretation, or the Spirit showing them something they have not understood will read it and it will give help them in their understanding of the truth. But I can see especially by your response here this is just a debate to you. Go back and read my other posts to you and to Bible Highlighter on this thread. My starting point is always as David said many times, "Salvation is of the Lord". He is the giver, we are the receiver. Our salvation from start to finish is a gift from God..Eph 2:8-10. To say God gives us a gift by faith only, and then its up to us to do works to keep it means it's no longer a gift or of faith. I trust in what God says He does when I place my faith in His Son as my only hope of salvation. He recreates me. Spiritually I die, am buried and am resurrected to new life just like His Son. "And you are COMPLETE In Him,who is the head of all principality and power. you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raided Him from the dead. And you being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Col 2:09-13. Going on in Col 3:1 "if then you were raised with Christ, seek those things that are above, not things on the earth. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Eph 1-2 and Gal 2 and Romans 6-8 all says the same thing. I died (the old man) and have been raised with Christ, joined with Him. I believe this. I already have eternal life, the firstfruits because I am really (not just metaphorically) in Christ, and He is really in me and I am joined, one spirit with Him. I am already as Ephesians and Colossians say seated in the heavenlies because I am in Christ, joined to Him. That is my faith. I have been changed at the core. My behavior, thoughts etc are being transformed, but who I am is a done deal and that won't change. The verses you present have to be understood in what God does when He places us in Christ. We do continue. We do good works. We do overcome. Because we are joined to Him. Its a walk of faith, believing and trusting in Him to complete us and finish the work. Its by Christ's finished work on the cross, not my work. Romans 6:17-18 answers verse 16: But God be thanked that though you WERE slaves of sin, you you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Its the obedience of faith. Ezek 36:26-27. Its our life in the New Covenant. No longer a walk by laws or trying to please God, because He has made us pleasing through Christ, and as we trust and believe that we walk it out. Its a growing process, with total completion when we see Him face to face. But it will be accomplished because Christ died to bring it about. To teach its up to us denies what His death accomplished.

I would also point out that you change Romans 6:16-19 in your footnote on your posts. The NLT actually says: "Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, BUT NOW you wholeheartedly OBEY this teaching we have given you. 18NOW YOU ARE FREE from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Also, Hebrews indicates by Christ's sacrifice he has (past tense) made us holy/sanctified (those who are in Him) by Christ's sacrifice once and for all.

"By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once.....For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." Hebrews 10:10/14. Hebrews can be a difficult book to understand unless you see that the writer is speaking mainly of the sin of unbelief, and also contrasting the old covenant which could only cover sins, not take them away, with the New Covenant, Christ's perfect complete sacrifice which actually takes away our sins. It's written primarily to the Jews who wanted to hold on to the old covenant, and not continue on to true faith in Christ and the New Covenant of His blood, which could actually perfect them by taking away their sins and really reconciling them to God through the finished work of the cross. See Hebrews 8-10.

BCsenior said:

OK good, you've given one of my passages to discuss.
If you understood Paul's method of dealing with the churches, you would see what he's saying.
He's always mixing in his dire warnings with copious amounts of edifications, exhortations, etc.
almost to the point of hiding the dire warnings ... it's up to the Holy Spirit to point them out.

Believe me, he's warning them to stop their sinning!
They are obviously NOT obeying Paul's Christian teaching!
They have obviously NOT become slaves of righteous living!
... Because they are still slaves of sin (6:16).

They need to become slaves of obedience!
They need to become slaves of righteousness!
Positionally, technically, etc. they might be,
but they need to really be so in reality, in practice.
Slaves in practice ... not in potential.

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You can't pull one verse out of context and say Paul is referring to believers, because in context he absolutely is not. You are not reading Romans 6:16 in context, and acknowledging what verses 17-18 are saying, let alone the whole chapter. I have nothing else to say if that is how you interpret scripture. You will never come to truth that way.

Bible Highlighter said:

Some think that a believer will automatically obey after having been saved.
The problem is that they will sometimes contradict themselves and say that a believer can die in one or two unconfessed grievous sins and still be saved. So their concept of holiness is off. They don't understand how even just one grievous sin can destroy their soul. For example, Proverbs says,

"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul." (Proverbs 6:32).

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There are no sins that are not grievous sins.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

BCsenior said:

OK good, you've given one of my passages to discuss.
If you understood Paul's method of dealing with the churches, you would see what he's saying.
He's always mixing in his dire warnings with copious amounts of edifications, exhortations, etc.
almost to the point of hiding the dire warnings ... it's up to the Holy Spirit to point them out.

Believe me, he's warning them to stop their sinning!
They are obviously NOT obeying Paul's Christian teaching!
They have obviously NOT become slaves of righteous living!
... Because they are still slaves of sin (6:16).

They need to become slaves of obedience!
They need to become slaves of righteousness!
Positionally, technically, etc. they might be,
but they need to really be so in reality, in practice.
Slaves in practice ... not in potential.

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James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do
and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Do you believe you died, were buried and raised with Christ, and are now seated in the heavenlies with Christ according to Romans, Colossians, Ephesians? What does that even mean to you?

What does no longer being in Adam and being in Christ mean to you? Anything? I have posted over and over about our identity in Christ, and you never once have addressed that. What does it mean to you?

Do you believe that God made you a new creation according to Corinthians? Old things passed away, behold all things are new? What does this mean to you? It is all about our identity, who God has created us in Christ. Do you believe it?

"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life". Rom 5:10

Do you believe you have been reconciled to God through the death of Christ? If so you shall be saved by His life. Otherwise we have not been reconciled.

Pepper77 said:

"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin". Rom 6:6-7

"And you are complete in Him.......In Him you were also circumcised in with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him.......And you being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Col 2:10-13.

Do you believe you died, were buried and raised with Christ, and are now seated in the heavenlies with Christ according to the above and Col 3 1-3? What does that even mean to you? How can we be seated in the heavenies in Christ and still be by nature a sinner? For that matter, how could we be joined to the perfect lamb of God, the Son of God....God, and be by nature a sinner?

Eph 2:3-5 Says when we WERE dead in our sins, when we WERE BY NATURE children of wrath, when we WERE dead in our sins , He made us alive TOGETHER with Christ (by grace we were saved) and raised us up TOGETHER and made us sit TOGETHER in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus.

What does this all mean to you? What does no longer being in Adam and being in Christ mean to you? Anything?

"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life". Rom 5:10

Do you believe you have been reconciled to God through the death of Christ? If so you shall be saved by His life. Otherwise we have not been reconciled.

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Being forgiven for sins does not erase that they have been made.
It only removes the penalty for having done them.
The source does not change, only the destination in forgiveness.

Instead is sitting in Hell, we are sitting in a position of forgiveness and love.
The death of Jesus has reconciled us to the Father. In our standing with Him.

But we remain in Sin in this life. Remember the "transition state" Jesus had
to go through? It is appointed unto all men to die. Sin and death remains.

Only the final Judgment has changed, as an unearned gift to us.

"For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." Hebrews 10:14. We have eternal life now, because we are in Christ. We are no longer sinners by nature, but righteous holy ones through Christ. Do you believe Eph 2:3-6? It says we WERE by nature children of wrath, but God, even when we WERE dead in our sins made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up with Him in the heavenlies. We WERE children of wrath. But now, through faith we ARE children of God. We can't be both. "Beloved, now we are children of God...1John 3:2 We are either in Adam or in Christ. We are either a child of wrath or a child of God NOW.