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

But we said we can only meet God's standard as Christ is formed in us and dwells in us. Now we are saying 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.

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. If 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 do the things we can do so God can act on our behalf.

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

To not make an effort to study and observe to do the commandments found in the Scriptures is to neglect our salvation and expect to face severe chastening at the hands of the Lord.

First is the goal. The goal is to serve God in righteousness.

Second is the means to the Goal. The means to the goal is to be filled with Christ.

Third is the willingness of our fallen nature to lay hold on the grace of God in order that we may obey the commandments given to us by the Lord and His Apostles.

The fourth aspect of the manner in which the new covenant operates involves the grace of God. Just what is the grace of God?

To be continued.