Why is it not true that Jesus already has "saved" us and that our motive for righteous behavior is that we ought to try to please Him in appreciation for what He has done for us? Why is this commonly accepted reasoning not true?

Those who teach and preach the abstract, mystical redemption we have mentioned, a salvation independent of acceptable moral conduct on the part of the worshiper, suggest we ought to try to be good. Their concept is that if God has been so kind as to overlook our wickedness through Christ and to give us the hope of eternal bliss in a mansion in the Paradise of God, then we ought to show our appreciation by godly behavior.

This may be termed the "gratitude" model for pursuing the Divine redemption.

Think of it: we ought to show our appreciation by godly behavior! This is an ineffectual, powerless orientation to the Kingdom of God.

What is incorrect in the "we ought to show our appreciation" approach to producing the new creation, the life-giving Bride that is to be married to the Lamb for eternity?

"Showing our appreciation" is not the scriptural method of developing the unblemished Bride of the Lamb.

The implication of the "gratitude" model is that acceptable moral behavior is desirable but not an essential aspect of the Divine redemption.

In actuality, it is the transformation of our moral personality (as well as our body) that itself is the Divine redemption.

The assumption is that the adamic nature can imitate the Personality of the Lord Jesus if it is willing to make the effort. The truth is, the adamic nature must be crucified if the process is even to begin!

In order to produce the new creation in which the old things have passed away and all things have become new and are of God, all the elements of Divine grace must be employed. The Spirit of God, the atoning blood of Jesus, the body and blood of Jesus as our daily sustenance, and particularly the conception and formation of the incorruptible Seed in us, must all play their part if we are to be transformed into the moral image of God.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (II Corinthians 3:18)

Man cannot change himself! Only the Spirit of God can change us. Have we learned nothing in six thousand years? By no means are we able to lift ourselves by our own bootstraps.

Our present environment is demonic, becoming spiritually darker each day. In addition, our flesh is filled with the spirit of sin. Also, our self-will rejects vigorously the idea that only the Lord Jesus has the right to sit on the throne in the depths of our personality. We want to be our own god and act as we please.

We may desire to do good. But the demonic pressure is so great from within and from without that our good intentions last about as long as a wooden toy in a bonfire.

To be continued.