The perfect oneness of the elect of God, the one new Man, is not being presented with clarity today, probably due to the destructive effects of dispensational thinking.

As the Kingdom of God approaches the earth many of the past religious theories and traditions will fall by the way (and probably many believers along with them), but it can't be helped. God seems to be able to work very well in the midst of chaos and bring forth things of value in the Kingdom.

We are entering trying times in which some of the assumptions we have made are being tested to the bone. Everything is being shaken so what is not of the Lord Jesus Christ may be removed.

Sometimes the social fabric is ripped as part of a church comprises members who are hearing from God while the other part is following the soulish traditions that have been part of Evangelicalism for many years. Inevitably one group or the other will leave and then continually attempt to influence those who have remained to come over to the side of those who have left. This is because while the spiritual ties and church ties have been severed, the social ties have not.

I wonder sometimes if the Apostle Paul understood the problem of social ties when he commanded us to have nothing more to do with those who cause division. Whether or not Paul understood the problem of social ties among Christians, he wrote the infallible Word of God and so we must be obedient.

We are stating in this brief paper that the Christian salvation is remarkably different from what we have supposed. Instead of salvation being a ticket to Heaven that we obtain by taking the traditional "four steps," it is a drawn out program of fiery tests, a multitude of steps during which we are saved from sin and rebellion. Being saved is difficult because of the choices we must make and sometimes take too long to make.

We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We literally have to work it out by continually responding to the Holy Spirit as He brings us from one problem to another.

Are we gloomy and despairing with all this pressure and change? Absolutely not. We are going on our way rejoicing. Sufficient to each day are the problems designated for the day. At the same time God's mercies are renewed every morning. Every day we receive the Divine grace that will convert the problems, temptations, and pressures into our salvation.

We are being changed into the image of the glory of the Lord. The change takes place line upon line, command upon command, here a little and there a little. We are becoming a new creation of righteous behavior in the Lord Jesus.

We understand then that we are being saved by Divine judgment. The Psalmist prayed that God would look to see if there was any wickedness in him in order that he might be set free to walk in the everlasting way.

Zion is being redeemed with judgment and her converts with righteousness.

To be continued.