In Adam, we are condemned as violators of the law of God. But in Christ,
our Representative Man, we stand justified before the law because
Christ, our Representative Man, satisfied every demand of the law. In
Him everyone who believes is reckoned to be dead to sin. In the first
man, we were dead in sin, but in the second man, we are dead to sin.
Faith does not only unite us to Christ in a saving sense, it also unites us to Christ's moral life to the extent that, like Him, we cannot delight in sin. To be contrary is to bring to question the claim of union with Christ. No one who is truly in union with Christ can delight in sin because the holy nature of Jesus Christ dwells in all who are united with Him. Grace does not relax the moral obligation on those who believe, whatever does this is not representative of grace.
This is the truth that many people who show concern that the true teaching of grace will lead to abuse. This concern is only true on the ground that union with Christ did not happen. If anyone be in Christ, nature change took place, therefore, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. Every claim of grace is predicated on union with Christ, outside of which, the old nature remains in control, and we know that the Holy Spirit, who is the Agent of change, is not present. Christianity without moral change is one that is not in union with Christ, and sadly, there are many such.
Faith does not only unite us to Christ in a saving sense, it also unites us to Christ's moral life to the extent that, like Him, we cannot delight in sin. To be contrary is to bring to question the claim of union with Christ. No one who is truly in union with Christ can delight in sin because the holy nature of Jesus Christ dwells in all who are united with Him. Grace does not relax the moral obligation on those who believe, whatever does this is not representative of grace.
This is the truth that many people who show concern that the true teaching of grace will lead to abuse. This concern is only true on the ground that union with Christ did not happen. If anyone be in Christ, nature change took place, therefore, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. Every claim of grace is predicated on union with Christ, outside of which, the old nature remains in control, and we know that the Holy Spirit, who is the Agent of change, is not present. Christianity without moral change is one that is not in union with Christ, and sadly, there are many such.
Toni
