But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I John 1:7)

God's grace given to us through Christ is a temporary suspension of the Kingdom principle that sin results in death. Because of our faith in the blood of Christ, God chooses not to see our rebellious nature and sinful acts during the period of time in which Christ is changing us.

God's grace is a suspension of the law of sowing and reaping. This does not mean God's forgiveness of our sins is temporary, for our forgiveness is eternal provided we abide in Jesus. However, it is not an eternal amnesty if we do not perform our part of the contract, which is to follow the Lord Jesus in diligent discipleship.

The problem today is that God's forgiveness through Christ is being viewed as a permanent, unconditional waiving of the Kingdom principle that sin results in death. Grace is seen as an alternative to righteous behavior. This would be a change in God, a new manner in which God relates to His creatures. If such were the case it would be the worst disaster conceivable.

God's grace is not only a forgiveness of our past sins, a suspension of the law of sowing and reaping, and an eternal forgiveness for those who abide in Christ, but it includes also the giving of Divine Virtue to us that changes us until our personality and behavior are worthy of eternal life; until that which we are and do result normally and naturally in eternal life.

The concept that we never will be anything but rebellious sinners who are saved by God's mercy, and that our eternal life, sonship, participation in the new Jerusalem, and overcoming status are eternally imputed (ascribed) to us independently of any change of what we are and do, comes from Satan, not from God.

Satan's intention is to keep us rebelling and sinning, to hide from us the actual deliverance from sin that is possible to us through Christ. For the destruction of Satan's kingdom comes, not when we are forgiven but when we are delivered from spiritual darkness.

God has no intention of changing the Kingdom principle of cause and effect, of sowing and reaping. Rather, God is changing us so we begin sowing in such a manner that we are reaping life.

God is not altering the Divine law of sin and death, of obedience and life. Rather, God is altering us until what we are and do brings life instead of death.

A suspension of the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping is necessary if we are to have the opportunity to be redeemed, to become a new creature. A permanent revocation of the Kingdom principle, however, would represent a change in the Nature of God Himself and would bring chaos into the creation.

Salvation is not the bringing of us into another land where no demands of any kind are made on our ability to reject sin and choose righteousness. It always will be possible to sin in the new world of righteousness that is coming. God wants to change us now through Christ so that we always will choose not to sin.

To be continued.