Imparted

Dictionary Definition - 'to give, convey, or grant from or as if from  store.'

Christ imparts His righteousness to those who consent to let Him take away their sins.  We are indebted to Christ for the grace (His character) which makes us complete in Him.

The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted.  The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven.

In sanctification Christ's character is imparted (or conveyed to the believer and becomes a part of his person).  Thus his personality is changed.

This is so real for me, as soon as I surrendered up my sin or shortcomings, Christ changed me into a lovable, loving Christian, this doesn't mean I'm perfect or anything like it but He is changing me day by day into what He will be able to take into His kingdom when He comes.  It's not a one time thing and we are made whole, it happens over the length of our lifetime and I am anxious to see what He will do next for me.  It is a wonderful experience to go from a gossip, critical, faultfinding individual into someone whom most people love, I'm still working on the others.  Have won a few but there is still more.  I just flat love people now, it's amazing even to me.  I just praise the Lord for His forgiveness, and making me as if I had never done those things.  If satan brings them to your mind after God has changed your heart, just tell him you have been forgiven and resist the thoughts.  Grandma Joan

Imputed

Webster's dictionary defines 'impute' as 'to credit to a person or a cause.'

Among the great mass of professed Christians, the grievous character of the transgression of the law of God is not understood.  They do not realize that salvation can be obtained only through the blood of Christ, through His imputed righteousness, but this alone will avail to make fallen man what he should be, and exalt him to become a member of the Royal Family of heaven.

In justification, Christ's character is imputed (credited to the believer's account).  Thus his standing before God is changed.

I think this is explained pretty plain, don't you?  I am sure you want your standing before God to be 'just as if you had never sinned'.  I can't think of anything better than that, can you?  Grandma Joan

Sanctification

Sanctification is nothing less than a daily dying to self, and daily conformity to the will of God.  Paul's sanctification was a constant conflict with self.  Said he, 'I die daily'.  His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God.  Instead of following inclination, he did the will of God, however unpleasant and crucifying to his nature.

Sanctification means habitual communion with God.

We should consider the words of the apostle Paul in which he appeals to his brethren, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies, 'a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.'  Romans 12:1.  This is true sanctification. It is not merely a theory, an emotion, or a form of words, but a living, active principle, entering into the everyday life.

'Learn of Me', says Jesus; 'for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest.' Matthew 11:29.  We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness.  Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven.  This training means a knowledge of Christ.  It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness.  The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God.

Sanctification is the work of a lifetime.  We are to spend our entire life from the time we are justified by Christ's blood till the time we rest in the grave or if we live until Christ comes, living for Him and the only way we can do that is to surrender our lives to Him and let Him live out His life in us.  Grandma Joan

Justification

If you give yourself to Him and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous.  Christ's character stands in the place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.

While the sinner cannot save himself, he still has something to do to secure salvation.  'Him that cometh to Me, says Christ, 'I will in no wise cast out.'  But we must come to Him; and when we repent of our sins, we must believe that He accepts and pardons us.  Faith is the gift of God, but the power to exercise it is ours.  Jesus died for us because we were helpless to do this.  In Him is our hope, our justification, our righteousness.

The only way which the sinner can attain to righteousness is through faith.  By faith, he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and God places the obedience of His Son to the sinner's account.  Christ's righteousness is accepted in place of man's failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant,  believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as He loves His Son.

Pray for faith to trust your Saviour that He died for you so that you could accept His righteousness for your sinful life.  Otherwise, you will have to die for your own sins.  Isn't our God wonderful to send His Son down to this wicked world to make atonement for us.  He took our death on the cross if we accept His sacrifice to cover our sins.  What an expensive sacrifice for God to give up His Son to save us.  Grandma Joan

Character

The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts.

Actions make habits, and habits, character.

Thus actions repeated form habits, habits form character, and by the character, our destiny for time and for eternity is decided.

Now we know how to form good spiritual habits.  Time daily spent with God in His word and also in Prayer are good habits to form and will last throughout eternity providing we make Him a priority.

Human, Divine, Sinless

As the graft receives life when united to the vine, so the sinner partakes of the divine nature when connected to Christ.

Man was formed in the likeness of God.  His nature was in harmony with the will of God.

"If a man love me,' Christ said, '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.  The spell of a stronger, a perfect mind will be over us for we have a living connection with the source of all-enduring strength.  In our divine life, we shall be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ.  We shall no longer live the common life of selfishness, but Christ will live in us.

The term 'human nature' can apply to either the sinless (before sin) nature or the 'born-again' nature.  It can also apply to the 'sinful-nature' according to the context in which it is used.

Don't you want to receive a nature in harmony with the will of God.  I do.  Read John 14:23 again and see what you have been promised.  Grandma Joan

The Human Nature of Man

Human, Natural, Sinful

When man transgressed the Divine law, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan.  There exists naturally no enmity (hatred) between sinful man and the originator of sin.  Both became evil through apostasy.

The Bible destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus.  The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter.  By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature.

Should Adam and Eve once yield to temptation, their nature would become so depraved that in themselves they would have no power, and no disposition to resist Satan.

While Adam was created sinless, in the likeness of God, Seth, like Cain, inherited the fallen nature of his parents.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, --it could not justify man because in his sinful nature he could not keep the law.

Because the Bible destroys the natural, earthly nature, let's study its pages and allow the Holy Spirit, the Comforter to come in and transform us.  Grandma Joan

Imparted

Will Power

What is Will Power?

As you confess before men and women your confidence in the Lord, additional strength is imparted to you.  Determine to praise Him.  With firm determination comes increased willpower.

There is nothing harder for those who possess a strong will than to give up their own way and submit to the judgment of others.

Perseverance, determination, steadfastness reveal willpower and are a blessing when used for the right purpose.

Let's use Perseverance, determination, steadfastness as a blessing for ourselves and others.  Grandma Joan.

Also taken from 'His robe or mine'.

Power of the Will

Without freedom of choice, man's obedience would not have been voluntary, but forced.  There could have been no development of character.

Many are inquiring, 'How am I to make the surrender of myself to God?....What you need to understand is the true force of the will.  This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice.

The will is the governing power in the nature of man, bringing all the other faculties under its sway.  The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the deciding power which works in the children of men unto obedience to God or unto disobedience.

We need to be made willing to be made willing.  A favorite quote of mine from Steps to Christ.  I don't recall the page.  Grandma Joan

PS.  Taken from 'His Robe or Mine' p. 146

Beholding the Lamb of God

Beholding the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, he finds the peace of Christ, for pardon is written against his name, and he accepts the word of God, 'ye are complete in Him.  Colossians 2:10  How hard is it for humanity, long accustomed to cherish doubt, to grasp this great truth.  But what peace it brings to the soul, what vital life!  In looking to ourselves for righteousness by which to find acceptance with God, we look to the wrong place, 'for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23.We are to look to Jesus, for 'we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory o the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory' 2 Corinthians 3:18.  You are to find your completeness by beholding the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

Are you encouraged by these Bible thoughts, I truly am and I thank God that we can be saved by Beholding the Lamb of God through the study of His word and prayer and letting Him soften our hearts to be filled with love for all people cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly as the song says.  Grandma Joan.

PS  I have been breaking bones and just broke a rib yesterday on top of vertebrae that I've been

 trying to heal.  If it's in your heart to pray for me I would really appreciate it.  The pain is terrible!!!

I'm still here------

Have been having some severe health problems.  I want to blog but my body doesn't agree with my wants.  I am going to try to leave some thoughts each day to help each of us on our journey to the kingdom.  They won't be long but be short and helpful so bear with me.  I'm in terrible pain with broken vertebrae and sometimes ribs, but the vertebrae are the worst, it radiates clear across my back so if anyone would like to pray for me I would really appreciate it.

Our first work is with the heart!

As the leaven, when mingled with the meal, works from within outward, so it is by the renewing of the heart that the grace of God works to transform the life.  No mere external change is sufficient to bring us into harmony with God.  There are many who try to reform by correcting this or that bad habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the wrong place.  Our first work is with the heart.

This has really helped me in my journey and I hope it helps you.  It's so important to have our hearts purified from all sin.  Grandma Joan