There is a misunderstanding in current Christian theology. How clearly this incorrect view of salvation has been stated we do not know but it is apparent that it is widely held among the believers. The misunderstanding is that people can walk in the flesh, not seeking to abide in the Person and way of Christ, and still remain under the pardon of Calvary by virtue of their profession of belief in Christ, in His atoning death and bodily resurrection.

The Apostle Paul, whose teaching concerning "grace" is the basis for this misunderstanding, spoke clearly to the saints in Rome: "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die" (Romans 8:13).

The Scriptures are eternal: if we live according to the lusts of our flesh and according to the dictates of our self-love, self-will, and self-centeredness, not forsaking our life to follow the Lord Jesus, we will die spiritually. We will slay our resurrection unto life.

The person who teaches or believes he can live according to the appetites of his body and soul and remain without condemnation on the basis of his profession of belief in Christ, is bringing spiritual death on himself and on those who are following his example.

If any man, Christian or not, practices sin and rebellion against God's will, he shall come under the judgment of God.

If any believer in Christ puts to death, through the Holy Spirit, the lusts of his flesh, he shall enter eternal life.

The purpose of the eternal pardon is that we may be able to enter the transformation into righteous behavior. This is the new covenant. To walk in sin is to choose death. To walk in the Presence and will of Christ is to choose eternal life.

Let us choose to abide in Christ, laying hold on eternal life so we may save ourselves and those who hear us (I Timothy 4:16).

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution [restoration] of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:19-21)

God has given us a vision. He has shown us what He had completed in vision before the foundation of the world. The total restoration has been completed in God's mind all the way to the new heaven and earth reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now God is resting. Our task is to follow the Lord Jesus into that rest, into that finished work.

In the beginning, God endowed man with the fullness of blessing—an inheritance truly worthy of the sons of the Mightiest of all kings and lords:

To be in the image of God.

To be male and female, that is, capable of entering union with God and with one another—a characteristic possessed by no other creature of God, apparently.

To be able to reproduce his own image.

To govern all the works of God's hands.

Then God placed "Adam," for so the man and woman were called, in Paradise on the earth. Also, God gave them access to the tree of eternal life.

God Himself walked in the garden.

To be continued.