Some think that belief in Christ means mental assent to the fact that He died for our sins period. The word believe is far more comprehensive than that. The word believe means to believe all the Word of God, not just believing that He was incarnated, lived, died and rose again. That is vital, but that certainly IS NOT all there is to the concept and reality of believing. The Nicolaitans believed that Christ was incarnated, lived, died and rose again. But their doctrine is warned against in the messages to the churches, Revelation 2 and 3. Why? Because they did the works of Baal. They believed that they were saved by verbal assent to Christ and what He did, while they did the works of Baal.
True belief, however, involves ALL THE WORD and what it advocates. Here is what TRUE BELIEF entails:
Belief; Faith; Grace; Free Gift; Justification, Sanctification; Born Again; Changed; Abide; Christ in you; you in Christ; Partake of Divine Nature, Mind, Spirit; Works of Christ; Obedience; Power; Imputed; Remnant
* Belief: Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
* Imputed: Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
The attributes of Christ's grace are imputed for sins past and imparted for character building purposes after the NEW BIRTH EXPERIENCE, as the following verses will attest.
*Grace:
Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:16 Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejo
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
This includes grace for obedience and apostleship, Rom. 1:5. That aspect of grace is A FREE GIFT ALSO, and has abounded unto many. But it must be accepted.
Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
This includes the gift of grace for obedience, Rom. 1:5.
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
This includes grace for obedience abounding much more than the indwelling sin in our being.
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Shall we continue in sin when grace has been provided for obedience to conquer sin, Rom. 1:5? The Bible answer is:
"God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer there? Rom. 6:2.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
The Jews were under law. The grace of Christ and the ensuing grace given for obedience had not yet transpired until Christ's death on the Cross.
If grace has been given for obedience, Rom. 1:5, why should sin have dominion over us, because we now have something more powerful than the law and sacrifices. We have the Sacrifice of Christ, which provided grace, which is given for obedience, Rom. 1:5.
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Grace is obviously no Carte Blanche to sin!
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And what is characteristic of that remnant: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
If Christ provides the grace for obedience, how is that any credit to us? We cannot therefore boast of works, because the power or grace for obedience derives from Christ, not ourselves. Rom. 1:5.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
That which is GIVEN TO US by Christ, is IMPARTED TO US, as well as IMPUTED to us..
If faith and grace are given unto us (imparted to us), what reason have we to boast of any good work, because it is all a gift from Christ. The credit is His
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
The gifts of the Spirit are given (IMPARTED) to us according to the grace that is given to us. So grace is an attribute of God that is shared with us by Him dwelling in us when we partake of His Divine Nature, Mind, and Spirit.
Rom 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ can be with us all when He indwells our being when we partake of His Divine Nature. Does it make Christ a sinner when we partake of His Divine Nature and He indwells us? No, no more than He was a sinner when He partook of our sinful nature in the incarnation. No more than the fact that those who disbelieve this fact are anti everything the incarnation of Christ did for man by way of providing
grace for obedience to overcome sin, Rom. 1:5 and Rom. 6:15.
1Cr 1:3 Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Cr 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you [IMPARTED TO YOU AND IMPUTED TO YOU] by Jesus Christ;
1Cr 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Cr 10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
Why are those who advocate partaking of the Divine Nature, Mind and Spirit of Christ, evil spoken of just because Christ does not convert immediate overcoming of all obstacles upon them because He want them to have the experience of choice involved in character building. If would not build character in us to have Christ impute character. He imparts the power and we make the choice. This is a cooperative effort.
1Cr 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
2Cr 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.
2Cr 8:19 And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:
2Cr 9:8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:
2Cr 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
Grace in us? That's what it says!
2Cr 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Another incidence of power being a part of God's grace in us.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Righteousness NEVER DID come by the law. The law always pointing out sin. There was never power in the law to keep one from sinning, except that the law was perfect, converting the soul to faith in Christ. It is faith in Christ and His grace that moves Him to extend the powers and gifts of His grace to us. But even that faith in Christ and His grace is a gift, lest any man should boast.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Justification by the law means that the Jews made sacrifices for their violation of the law. Since Christ made the supreme Sacrifice on the Cross, and thereby proffered His Divine Nature, Mind and Spirit by His Grace, WE ARE NOW UNDER GRACE POWER AND ALL THE OTHER GIFTS PROFFERED BY CHRIST'S GRACE OR UNMERITED FAVOR.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
In the character building process, we, like the disciples of Christ, fall and sin at times. This is likened unto the process a child goes through in growing up. At first we are babes in Christ, but as we grow in His grace, faith and power, we are changed from glory to glory. We will not be relieved of our sinful natures until glorification at His coming. Our sinful natures actually provide the basis for character building, and that is precisely why Christ partook of our sinful natures. He learned obedience by the things which He suffered in our sinful human nature. His Divine Nature needed no such learning.
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
This is why no man should boast of any works because any good work that counts with Christ is actually performed by the grace of His power. Who then can boast?
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Another evidence of Grace as power or power as grace from the unmerited favor of God.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Phl 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
The catch is whether or not we are defending the FULL GOSPEL.
Col 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth:
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 4:6 Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
2Ti 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Hbr 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The act of GROWING IN GRACE, implies character building. This is done by adding to our faith virtue and other graces:
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.
The above process of adding virtue to virtue by the grace power imparted by Christ, is character building. But no man has any cause to boast of any righteousness, because the power is from Chrsit.
Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace is turned into lasciviousness by verbally assenting to the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but refusing the power proffered by that sacrifice; like the Nicolaitans having confessed Christ with their mouths, while doing the works of Baal.
Neither I nor any man can keep the law. I rely on Christ to indwell me and keep His precepts through me. The way He does this is by progressive sanctification. He did the same with His disciples. They certainly did not overcome all in any overnight experience. That would not have been characteristic of character building. Had Christ imparted to them all power to overcome overnight, that would have precluded choice and cooperative participation on their part. This is sandbox sanctification, 101. Like little children, we slip and fall occasionally, but like a good parent, Christ does not dispense with us by casting us out. Satan and his agents do dispense with us and cast us out by accusing us as imposters because we do not perform according to Satan's expectations or overnight overcoming of all sin. That would completely circumvent any cooperative character building process. The character building process I refer to is depicted in 2 Peter and every necessary ingredient by way of cooperative effort on our part is there depicted::
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called usto glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.
To be Continued