Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (II Timothy 1:6)

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

Neither are the gifts of the Spirit imputed to us. They are given to us on an individual basis, and then we are responsible for the wise and diligent use of them.

The rewards of the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation, which are elements of the first resurrection from the dead, are not legally ascribed to us. Rather, they are given to us on the basis of overcoming the love of the world, the love of sin, and the love of self.

Speaking to the churches, the lampstands of the Divine Testimony:

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you [Christians] according to your works. (Revelation 2:23)

The second and third chapters of Revelation are unusually important because they announce the rewards to be given to those who seek and receive the grace of Christ to the extent they are able to conquer the world, sin, and self-will. It may be noticed that none of these rewards is based on belief or imputation. They are given because of our diligent application to the things of Christ.

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)

If someone gives us a piano we are not required to work for him or her in order to earn the piano. The piano is a gift. But if we are to gain the benefit from the piano, pleasing the person who gave it to us, we must spend many years of disciplined effort and hundreds or even thousands of dollars for instruction. The gift of salvation cannot be earned. But in order to profit from it, to really "receive" it, we must give our whole life to gaining it.

The teaching today is that Christ not only gives us the piano but also imparts the ability to us to play it excellently without any practice or effort on our part. This is not scriptural.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win [gain] Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

Christ Himself is not imputed to us, He has to be won.

Eternal residence in the new Jerusalem as a servant of Christ and of God is not ascribed to us. We qualify for citizenship on the basis of the kind of character we have. We must "do" what Christ commanded.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

To be continued.