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GRACE is the PERSPECTIVE

Explore the concept of grace in Christianity and its significance in the life of believers. Discover how grace is God's perfect provision and is received as a gift, not earned or deserved.

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GRACE is the PERSPECTIVE

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  1. GRACE is the PERSPECTIVE Christian Foundational Truths (The appearance of things relative to one another as determined by their distance from the viewer) Lesson 18 1 1

  2. grace 1 Timothy 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost {of all.} (NAS) • A.D. 55 – “the least of the apostles.” • A.D. 61 – “the least of the saints.” • A few years later – “ the worst sinner in the world” 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (NAS) Ephesians 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, (NAS) 2

  3. grace • We stand in grace or we do not stand at all. • Grace is all that God is free to do for mankind on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ. • Grace is God's always perfect provision for mankind. Romans 5:1-2 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. (NAS) 3

  4. grace Grace can never be earned. Grace is never deserved Grace can only be received as a gift. 4

  5. grace We are saved by grace through faith We grow in the Christian life by grace through faith. 5

  6. Romans 6:13 + VOLITION - Quenching the Holy Spirit CONDITION IN CHRIST 2 Cor. 5:17 Rom. 8:1 POSITION 1 Cor. 15:22 Sphere of GRACE Sphere of WORKS LAW Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. (NAS) 6

  7. grace • Most people can see that sin is a violation of the righteousness of God, so they understand why it had to be judged on the cross. • But not very many people are reconciled to the fact that the good things man does on his own are abhorrent and are absolutely unacceptable to God. Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good {is} not. (NAS) 7

  8. grace • Why would the Holy Spirit inspire Isaiah to use this particular analogy? • Because the flow of blood in the menstrual cycle is evidence that there has been no conception. • No conception means there will be no birth • No birth means no life. • Isaiah is saying that all human good is dead in God's sight. Isaiah 64:6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (NASB) 8

  9. grace • Sins are never called “dead works” in the Bible. • “Dead works” is a reference to man’s attempts to work his way to God, to earn His approval. • All our good is relative good; • All our righteousness is relative righteousness. (-R) Hebrews 6:1-2. Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (NAS) 0 -R +R 9

  10. grace Luke 18:11-12 "The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, `God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. `I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' (NAS) At every moment we have two choices: • we can trust in ourselves - relying on our intellect, our strength and our goodness. 2) we can take a realistic look at ourselves and admit that our only hope is to trust in God and rely on the riches of His grace. • Like all legalists, they were very proud – • of themselves, • of their association, • of their own righteousness. They expected to be looked up to. Luke 18:9 And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: (NAS) Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. (NAS) ἐξουθενέω (exoutheneo) “to make of no account” “to despise utterly” λοιπός(loipos) “the rest” 10

  11. grace Luke 18:13 "But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' (NAS) • This man, like all legalists, had a system based on two things: what he did what he did not do. • But nowhere was there a place in his system for what he was. • Everything he was concerned with was external; there was nothing inside – • no relationship with God, • no fellowship, • no faith. 11

  12. grace • God's mercy withholds from us what we deserve. • He can offer us mercy. • He can also offer us grace. • God's grace gives us what we do not deserve – • the righteousness of Jesus Christ, • the riches of His glory, • inheritance, • power, and much more. 12

  13. grace • A part of maturity is being able to see ourselves as God sees us – • knowing absolutely when we are out of fellowship and displeasing to Him and • just as absolutely when we are functioning in His grace and causing Him pleasure. 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (NAS) 13

  14. Doctrine of Grace • Grace is all that God is free to do for man on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. • Grace depends on the essence or character of God. • Grace is what God can do for man and still be consistent with His own character. • Propitiation means “to satisfy” and is God’s view of the cross. • God blesses the believer • with salvation, • spiritual assets for the Christian life, • and eternity in heaven based on Christ’s perfect work, not our work. 14

  15. Doctrine of Grace The Christian way of LIVING and GIVING. • God supplies everything needed to assimilate doctrine as the basis upon which believers LIVE. • God also provides the material resources from which believers GIVE. • The result is LIVING and GIVING that reflects His plan. • Grace orientation is the bona fide motivation and attitude for GIVING. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (NAS) 15

  16. Doctrine of Grace Grace is the antithesis of legalism. • Legalism is man’s attempt to observe a strict standard of behavior and thereby gain the approbation of God. • Even if the standards are true, man’s work cannot bring him to God. • Legalism is the enemy of grace. Isaiah 64:6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (NAS) 16

  17. Doctrine of Grace Romans 3:22-24 even {the} righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; (NAS) Romans 5:20 And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, (NAS) Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (NAS) Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; (NAS) 17

  18. Doctrine of Grace Positional sanctification: Every believer at the point of salvation is entered into union with Christ through baptism by the Holy Spirit. In His resurrected humanity Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. As one with Christ every believer shares His exalted position. Experiential sanctification: This is the Christian way of life, the spiritual growth of believers through the consistent intake and application of Bible doctrine. Ephesians 4:11-16 And He gave some {as} apostles, and some {as} prophets, and some {as} evangelists, and some {as} pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all {aspects} into Him, who is the head, {even} Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (NAS) 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (NAS) Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly {places}, in Christ Jesus, (NAS) 18

  19. Doctrine of Grace 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable {body}, it is raised an imperishable {body}; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual {body.} (NAS) 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. (NAS) Positional sanctification: Experiential sanctification: Ultimate sanctification: • The final stage of sanctification promotes all Church Age believers to a state of perfection and glorification in eternity. • All receive resurrection bodies like that of Christ, which is free of the old sin nature and purged of all human good. 19

  20. Those Who Have Fallen Away Hebrews 6:4-8 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and {then} have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. (NASB) Hebrews 6:4-8 For it is impossible [for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, ]If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (KJV) • It should be clear that we are discussing believers in this passage. • Believers often “fall away.” What is involved in such a fall? the consequences do not include loss of one’s salvation

  21. Those Who Have Fallen Away • What are we falling from? • What are we falling to?

  22. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY • parapivptw( parapiptoo) the verb pipto, which means “falling down” the prepositionpara which means “from” or “beside”

  23. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY • The exact opposite of “standing firm” Ephesians 6:13-14 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm [ sth`te ( stete ) ] therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall [pivptw]

  24. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY • A child of God may fall into • pride • reproach • or temptation 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. (NAS) 1 Timothy 3:6 {and} not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. (NAS) 1 Timothy 3:7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside {the church}, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (NAS)

  25. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY Hebrews 4:11 “Let us therefore be diligent to enter into that rest (of faith), lest anyone fall through following the same example (of the Exodus generation) of disobedience.”

  26. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY ajpeivqeia(apetheia) from which we get “apathy.” “disobedience through unbelief.”

  27. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (NAS) Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; (NAS)

  28. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY Hebrews 8:5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned {by God} when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, "SEE," He says, "THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN." (NAS) Hebrews 10:1 For the Law, since it has {only} a shadow of the good things to come {and} not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. (NAS)

  29. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY • While many religious practices are contrary to the Bible, they are still perceived to be “good” • Maturity in God’s word is needed to “discern between good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

  30. FALLING DEFINED BIBLICALLY 2 Peter 3:17 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.”

  31. THE PROCESS OF FALLING AWAY Hebrews 3:7-15 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED {Me} BY TESTING {Me}, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS. "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, "THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS'; AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."' Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is {still} called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." (NAS) Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on {the testimony of} two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (NAS) Hebrews 12:25-29 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned {them} on earth, much less {will} we {escape} who turn away from Him who {warns} from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN." This {expression}, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. (NAS) • Warning against drifting • Warning against doubting • Warning against dullness • Warning against despising • Warning against disregarding Hebrews 5:11-14 Concerning him we have much to say, and {it is} hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes {only} of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (NAS) Hebrews 2:1-4 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away {from it.} For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. (NAS)

  32. THE PROCESS OF FALLING AWAY “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have [1p.p.a.s. ἔχω ( echo ) literally, “let us keep holding”] grace, by which we may offer to God acceptable service with reverence and awe.”

  33. FALLING...FROM WHAT—TO WHAT? • “to what did they fall?” Galatians 3:1-5. You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed {as} crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain-- if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

  34. FALLING...FROM WHAT—TO WHAT? • “saved by grace through faith” • led astray by false teachers • these heretics taught that for salvation to be certain, one had to be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law Acts 15:1, 5 1 Some men came down from Judea and {began} teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses." Acts 15:24 "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with {their} words, unsettling your souls, (NAS)

  35. FALLING...FROM WHAT—TO WHAT? a battle between pure grace and works

  36. FALLING...FROM WHAT—TO WHAT? vs. Spirit Flesh Faith vs. Works "BUT IF IT IS BY GRACE, IT IS NO LONGER ON THE BASIS OF WORKS, OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO LONGER GRACE" (ROMANS 11:6)

  37. FALLING...FROM WHAT—TO WHAT? Grace plus NOTHING equals GRACE Grace plus Works equals NOTHING

  38. THE "FALLEN" CONDITION • SPIRITUAL SLAVERY Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. This is not freedom to do as we please. This is not a license to sin

  39. Divine Discipline • all children of God will come under divine discipline. • discipline follows a pattern: reproof (warning), discipline, and scourging (severe pain). • two common failures under divine discipline disregarding it being overcome and fainting Hebrews 12:8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (NAS) Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. (NAS) Hebrews 12:5-6 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." (NAS)

  40. Divine Discipline 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not {leading} to death, he shall ask and {God} will for him give life to those who commit sin not {leading} to death. There is a sin {leading} to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. (NAS) 1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (NAS) 1 Corinthians 5:5 {I have decided} to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (NAS) • Discipline is designed to refine and purify our lives, so we become sharers of God’s holiness. • The severity of God’s discipline is displayed in both precept and example. • When we disregard discipline we can suffer a great loss of blessings. • Continued sin may lead to premature death, and loss of reward in heaven. Hebrews 12:10-11 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He {disciplines us} for {our} good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (NAS) Hebrews 12:14-17 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that {there be} no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a {single} meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears. (NAS) Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (NAS)

  41. Spiritual Slavery This is not freedom to do as we please. It is not license to sin. • It is license to recover from sin and be free from sin to serve God and live the “abundant life” Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (NASB)

  42. Spiritual Slavery • This freedom is the gift of the grace of God “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free . . . . if therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36)

  43. Spiritual Slavery • At salvation we enter into a condition of spiritual “rest.” • We “rest” in faith because the “work” for our salvation is “finished.” • Biblical spirituality is the continuance of that rest through our life. this “rest” comes from spiritual growth and may be lost through lack of spiritual diligence. Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. (NAS)  Hebrews 4:3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. (NAS) Matthew 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. (NAS) John 19:30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (NAS) Hebrews 4:11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through {following} the same example of disobedience. (NAS)

  44. Spiritual Slavery Romans 3:19-21 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law {comes} the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law {the} righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, (NAS) Romans 8:1-4 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God {did:} sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and {as an offering} for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (NAS) When we forsake God’s plan of grace, we also forsake Him FROM living as children of the King TO living like common slaves to the law of Moses • The law cannot save • The law cannot give spirituality “subject to a yoke of slavery”

  45. THE "FALLEN" CONDITION • SPIRITUAL SLAVERY • NO BENEFIT FROM CHRIST Galatians 5:2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

  46. NO BENEFIT FROM CHRIST • It is impossible for a person in carnality to have the spiritual benefits of their relationship to Christ. one living spiritually by faith one having fallen from grace Galatians 2:20-21 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "I do not nullify [ frustrate (KJV) ] the grace of God, for if righteousness {comes} through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

  47. NO BENEFIT FROM CHRIST • Spiritual believers experience “Christ living in them” • Carnal believers “frustrate the grace of God.” ajqetevw(atheteo) to “set aside.”

  48. NO BENEFIT FROM CHRIST • To add any work to SALVATION, SPIRITUALITY or SECURITY is to “set aside the grace of God,” to act as if the blood of Christ is not sufficient. “Christ died in vain.”

  49. THE "FALLEN" CONDITION • SPIRITUAL SLAVERY • NO BENEFIT FROM CHRIST • SPIRITUAL INDEBTEDNESS Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed {as} crucified? Galatians 5:3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

  50. SPIRITUAL INDEBTEDNESS “whoever keeps the whole law, yet stumbles in one point, he is guilty of all ” (James 2:10) “Now to the one who works, his wage is no longer reckoned as grace, but as debt” (Romans 4:4) We will get just what we deserve, nothing more

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