We see, therefore, that the definition of salvation by grace through faith as "the entrance of an unrighteous individual into fellowship with God on the basis of his doctrinal confession" is not in keeping with the writings of the New Testament. Rather, such a definition must be gleaned from a few selected verses removed from their contexts.

What goal was Paul attempting to reach by his single-minded pursuit of union with the Life of God through Christ?

Paul was pressing forward toward the redemption of his mortal body, in particular the redemption that will come to those who are prepared spiritually to be revealed with Christ at His appearing.

The full attainment of eternal life will be established and manifested when our mortal body has been raised from the dead and clothed with a glorious house of life from Heaven (II Corinthians 4:17-5:4). Such glory must be attained (arrived at) by total, consistent, continual pressing into Christ. Everything else, every other goal, must be cast aside as unworthy of the supreme goal, which is the winning of Christ.

In the Book of Romans, Paul outlined the pursuit of eternal life.

Chapters Three through Five of Romans teach us that we are not forgiven and delivered from Divine wrath on the basis of the works of the Law but on the basis of the atonement made by the blood of God's sin offering, Christ.

Chapter Six of Romans warns us against continuing in sin after we have believed and been baptized in water.

In Chapter Six, Paul points out that we who have received Christ have a choice. We can choose to serve righteousness or we can choose to serve sin. Those who have not received Christ have no choice. They are under the dominion of sin. We who have received Christ can, if we wish, choose to serve righteousness.

Notice we are to serve righteousness. Of course, this means to serve Jesus. But the concept of serving righteousness needs to be emphasized because this expression brings into focus how unscriptural the contemporary definition of Divine grace is.

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)

"The servants of righteousness."

If we Christians choose to serve sin we will die. The inner spiritual life that has been given us in Christ will not abide in us. We will revert to being a natural man, a living soul.

If we Christians choose to serve righteousness we will grow in eternal life. The end of such growth is the redemption of the mortal body, the full attainment of eternal life. The full attainment of eternal life marks the restoration, the redemption of all that was forfeited in the garden of Eden.

Paul tells us that the wages of sin is death. He is speaking of Christians who, after having believed in Christ and been baptized, continue to walk in sin.

The gift of God is eternal life through Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

To be continued.