That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21)

Before we proceed further, let us present a definition of the Christian salvation that is in keeping with the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments. This definition is different from the "gospel" that is preached today.

To be saved is to be changed into God's image and brought into restful union with God through Christ.

In the beginning, man was created in God's image. However, that image has since been greatly distorted. The Divine plan of salvation has as its purpose the restoration of what was lost, and then the transformation of man into a much more complete and perfect representation of God than was true in the beginning. In addition, the sons of God will be brought into union with God through Christ.

We are saved from:

Living in the world without continual faith and trust in God.

The practice of sin, of lawlessness.

Self-love, self-centeredness, self-will.

All that is of Satan and of our old nature.

The Divine wrath.

We are saved to:

A personality in the image of Christ.

Complete, perfect, restful union with God and other people through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eternal fruitfulness and dominion through the Lord Jesus.

"A new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (II Peter 3:13).

Under the old covenant the forgiveness of sins through the blood of animals made possible man's continued fellowship with God. Under the new covenant the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ not only insures our fellowship with God but also serves as a covering that keeps our conscience pure in God's sight while the transforming work of grace is taking place in our personality.

The forgiveness of our sins is not our ticket to Heaven; rather, the forgiveness of sins, under the new covenant, serves to maintain our eligibility for transformation into God's image.

We are forgiven so we may be transformed.

Christ is the Word, the Law of God. On Mount Sinai the Law of God was written by the Lord on tables of stone. The people, being sinful human beings, were unable to keep the Law.

Under the new covenant the Law of God is formed in us. It is placed in our mind and written in our heart. It is Christ in us. It is the conversion from the adamic nature to a new creation. This is the new covenant. The forgiveness of our sins enables us to participate in the work of transformation of the new covenant.

The following passage has been misunderstood:

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4)

The word end, as used above, can mean the termination, the final result, or the purpose of something.

Compare:

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (I Timothy 1:5).

Love from a pure heart is not the termination of the Law of Moses but the final result or purpose of the Law of Moses.

To be continued.