The concept of the repentant believer suffering painful consequences, and possible loss of inheritance, may not fit our current concept of salvation. The backslider who is attempting to regain his former joy knows of what we are speaking. Our theories do not always correspond to the realities of the spiritual and material realms, to the manner in which the Lord works.

There is coming an "hour of temptation" on the whole earth. Only the strongest of the saints will be able to survive spiritually throughout this era. Those who do continue to walk with the Lord will become convinced of the direct relationship between how we behave, and the Presence of the Lord. It is not true that we can live a careless Christian discipleship and not reap numerous problems and much suffering. God's people of the present generation must understand this clearly.

God is pleased to welcome at the foot of the cross the unsaved individual who repents of his former way of life, places his reliance on the blood atonement made by the Lord's Lamb, and is baptized in water. However, God has fellowship with him only as he is purged of his sin and filled with the righteous behavior that results from living in the Life of Jesus.

We do not gain fellowship with God by imputed (ascribed) righteousness but by actual righteousness and holiness of behavior. This is the meaning of the following verses, which are addressed to Christ's servants.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (II Corinthians 6:17,18)

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)

Notice that in order to enter fellowship and union with God we must separate ourselves from the ways of sin. We must keep the Words of the Lord Jesus. Numerous Christians call Jesus "Lord" but do not do what He says. Their "faith" is futile. It is dead because there are no accompanying works of righteousness.

Grace

The current definition of grace is "forgiveness." To be saved "by grace" is to be forgiven. By grace we go to Heaven when we die to live in a mansion of glory.

One contemporary expression is, grace is "God's riches at Christ's expense." The concept is that all the Glory of Christ is given to us through the Lord's love and mercy. We do nothing. Jesus paid the whole price of agony and we receive the fullness of the inheritance merely by accepting it. We are not required to share His suffering.

The toiling saints who plod along determinedly, bearing their cross after the Master, can evaluate this expression properly. They know the cost one must pay in order to lay hold on the inheritance of the sons of God. They know the travail of soul that is necessary if we are to overcome the world, Satan, and our lusts and self-will.

They know the faith and obedience God requires of those whom He has called to His side and how shallow is the concept that grace is God's riches at Christ's expense. God's witnesses of today (as has been true of the saints of every age) are sharing in Christ's suffering and are being transformed according to His death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection.

To be continued.