The Scripture commands us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Are we absolutely unable to do this without the power of Divine intervention? The Bible commands us to call for the elders of the church when we are sick. Are we absolutely unable to do this without the power of Divine intervention?

It is true that even in these simple admonitions we will be more successful if we ask the Lord to assist us. In all matters great and small we will be successful if we will call on God for His grace and mercy. God will help us—this is His everlasting promise.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (Romans 6:17)

We must obey from the heart the doctrine advanced by Christ and His Apostles. God will enable us to do just that.

But we said that we can only meet God's standard as Christ is formed in us and dwells in us. Now we are saying that it is the fallen nature that must obey the commandments, that must present its body a living sacrifice on the altar of God.

Absolutely! As we seek to keep the commandments of the Lord, Christ is formed in us. As Christ is formed we are able to obey God from our new righteous nature.

But here is the point! If we do not begin to keep the commandments of the Lord, even though we have to depend to some extent on our own efforts, Christ will not dwell in us.

Notice this fact in the following:

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

If a man loves Jesus he will obey Jesus' commandments. If he does not keep the words of the Lord, then the Lord will not come to him and make His abode with him. It is just as simple and straightforward as that. Here is the answer to the theological confusion of our day.

Are we saving ourselves by our works? Yes, and no. We are saving ourselves by doing (with the help of Divine grace) that which the Lord has commanded. As we, by cooperating with the Spirit of God, do what God has said, Christ is formed in us. In this manner we enter the new covenant, which is Christ in us the hope of glory.

The new covenant teaches that we are to save ourselves.

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (I Timothy 4:16)

When we, even though we are in our fallen adamic nature, turn to God for help in taking heed to ourselves and to the doctrine of the Apostles, we save ourselves. What does it mean to save ourselves? It means to continue to diminish as to our own nature and to continue to increase as to Christ's Nature.

This is the true relationship between keeping the Lord's commandments and the Divine salvation.

To be continued.