We have discussed the varied works that compose the Christian discipleship, including the exercise of our will in such a manner that we continually make godly decisions. The Christian life is a battle, a warfare. We are seeking to enter the promised-land inheritance, the rest of God.

From the creation of the world God has perfected in His mind a new race, a new heaven, and a new earth, a whole new world wherein will dwell righteousness. He has not put this world under subjection to angels but to the Son of God, Christ, and His coheirs.

Our task is to lay aside our own dead religious works and labor to enter the Divine workings that are bringing to pass the vision of God.

We can enter rest in God's working but only after we, through the Spirit of God, achieve victory over the lusts that reside in our flesh, over Satan, over religious deception, over the spirit of the world, and over our own self-seeking, self-love, self-centeredness, and self-will. All these prevent our abiding in peace in God's finished work.

The final result of our diligent grasp of all the help God has extended to us is the Father and the Son entering us so we are filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).

The Father and the Son entering us makes it possible for us to be clothed with our reward, which is a glorious spiritual house from Heaven.

Finally we will descend with the Lord Jesus, call together the components of our mortal frame, and then fill our mortal frame with incorruptible life. Like our Lord it will be granted to us to pick up our body again.

Then we will be placed on thrones and will serve as judges of men and angels (Revelation 20:4-6). This honor have all His saints.

But the rest of the dead will not live until the thousand-year Kingdom Age has been concluded.

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection, the out-resurrection from among the dead.

Some Additional Comments

It is the Holy Spirit who guides and helps us in resisting sin and in all the other righteous efforts we are to make. Every aspect of our attainment to life is to be under the supervision of the Spirit of God. We do none of these things by ourselves.

Being judged worthy leads to release from spiritual death by the body and blood of Jesus, the Spirit of God, and the Word of God. As we are released from spiritual death, Christ is formed in our inner man. Then the Father and the Son come and make Their eternal dwelling in the transformed inner man.

Release from spiritual death, and the entering into us of the Father and the Son, lead directly to the resurrection of our mortal body to eternal life.

Please note that Divine grace includes the invitation, the guidance, and the Virtue necessary for our salvation. Grace never is a substitute for, an alternative to, the program of salvation. The error of Christian thinking is that grace is God's way of getting around the sin, rebellion, and self-centeredness of the believers so they may reign in glory with Jesus while yet in their untransformed state.

To be continued.