The following is an audio transcript of the book, Justification Before God, Not by Faith. This is tape number three, side A. We were in chapter six and have come to the second division. Life of Faith Begun. The life of faith is exemplified in Abraham. Some verses of Scripture appear to some to say that Abraham's faith was reckoned as righteousness, upon which the patriarch was justified. If faith were the ground of Abraham's justification, Scripture would necessarily read, quote, On account of Abraham's faith, he was justified, close quote. A consideration of Romans chapter 4, verses 3, 5, 9, and 22 as well as Galatians chapter 3 verse 6 and James chapter 2 verse 23 will prove that scripture never uses such terms as on account of faith or because of faith. Contrary to the teaching that Abraham's faith justified him before God, these scriptures prove that they refer to a life of faith. The person who has been given the principle of faith does exercise that principle. But the ability to exercise it does not justify him before God. If it did, one would be justified by what he could do rather than what the Lord has done for him. Abraham's first act of faith is recorded in Genesis chapter 12 verse 1 and is quoted in Acts chapter 7 verses 2 and 3 and Hebrews chapter 11 verse 8. Quote, Now the Lord had said unto Abraham, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee." Genesis chapter 12 verse 1. This was prior to his name change. The only way to understand Abraham's life of faith is to begin by considering his first act of faith. Abraham, being called, obeyed to go forth into a place which he was destined to receive for an inheritance. And he went forth not understanding where he was going. Hebrews chapter 11 verse 8. To read and understand Abraham and his life of faith, one would begin with the latter part of Genesis 11, and especially with the first verses of chapter 12. Stephen gave a brief history of this in Acts chapter 7 verses 2 through 8. God appeared to Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charn. He told Abraham to get out of Ur of the Chaldees, and away from his kindred, and come to a land he would show him. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed. And he went out not knowing whither he went. Abraham's faith began with God calling him. The word called is a present passive participle of kaleo, and it means being called. God's call of Abraham was effectual. There was nothing general about this call. This call does not come sooner or later to every man. If it did, it would not be effectual to every man. The call to Abraham effected obedience in him. The Bible distinguishes between general and particular calls. The general call is to go forth and preach the gospel to all nations. But in the particular call, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The effectual call gives God his rightful place as the prime mover in the work of grace. If man were the prime mover, there would be no work of grace. In Hebrews 11, verse 8, the present passive participle, kaloumanos, being called, speaks of action going on at the same time of the action of the leading verb, and the leading verb is obeyed. By faith, Abraham being called, obeyed. He did not wait and pray about it. He did not say he would have to think it through. He was not sure yet, or he wanted to be positive. This could continue for months and years. When God has given faith to a person, that individual will respond to God's call, and he will act immediately on truth. While Abraham was being called, he obeyed. Therefore, his obedience was immediate. He heard the call because he had an ear to hear. He knew God was dealing with him. He did not question God. He knew what he should do, and he did it. Saul of Tarsus responded in the same manner after God came into his heart and life. Immediately he was baptized, and immediately he began proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Immediately and straight away are translations of the same Greek adverb, ootheos. The kind of faith exhibited by Abraham and Paul is rare today. Abraham obeyed at the time he was being called. The Greek word for obeyed is an Arius active indicative of huarkua. The same word is used in Romans chapter 6 verse 17. Quote, but God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Close quote. It is a compound word, the stem of which, akuo, means to hear, and the prepositional prefix, hupa, means under or subordinate. The word also means to listen attentively. Both Abraham and Paul knew they were in subordination to Jesus Christ. One to whom God has given faith hears and recognizes truth when he hears it proclaimed, and he immediately responds. He then continues obeying truth throughout life. Abraham obeyed to go out into a place which he, quote, should after, close quote, an ariest imperfect indicative of mellow, which means must, be going, be about, intend, or be destined to receive. Destined is the better word here. Abraham was destined to receive the place God promised him. He was predestinated to do what God had planned for him. By faith, Abraham being called, obeyed to go forth into a place which he was destined to receive. The patriarch went out not understanding where he was going. The word used here for knowing in the Greek can be translated either understanding or knowing. Abraham acted like a blind man, following his faithful and skillful guide. He walked by faith, not by sight. When God commands us to do something, we should obey and not worry about circumstances. Abraham was destined to receive an inheritance. Therefore, Hebrews 11, verses 18-19 refers not only to Abraham's posterity, but also to him individually. The very place where he would sojourn would be the place he was destined to receive as his inheritance. His offering Isaac and receiving him alive was a symbol of Christ's resurrection, signifying that the fulfillment of the promise would not occur until after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The greatest test of Abraham's faith was when he offered up Isaac. Although he did not kill Isaac, he obeyed God. The sacrifice was accomplished in Abraham's will before God stayed his hand. He had taken into account that God was able to raise his son from the dead. Hence, he received him back in type. Abraham's temporary sojourn in the land of promise must not be equated with the covenant of promise. The only thing Abraham acquired before Christ's kingdom will be established was a burying place. But Abraham looked for something beyond a burying place. Although Abraham went to Canaan, from the perspective of time, he has not yet come into possession of his inheritance. Nevertheless, he obeyed without reasoning, questioning, arguing, delaying, or objecting. By faith, Abraham lived in the land of promise. He was a foreigner living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow heirs of the same promise. Christians are in the world, but we are not of it. This is not our homeland. We are aliens just walking through. The world does not know us and is unconcerned about our welfare. They love their own. Abraham looked, imperfect middle indicative of, ek dekomai, which means wait for, wait, expect, or look forward to, for a city, verse 10. This patriarch was obediently living the life of faith, expecting a city having the foundations whose architect and builder is God. Likewise, Christians should be obediently living the life of faith, expecting the city that will come down from God out of heaven, the New Jerusalem, when all things will be new. By faith, Sarah herself received power to conceive seed." Verse 11. The words, to conceive seed, are debated among men. Many Greek scholars say this must apply to the male, not to the female, because the offspring in Scripture is always referred to as the seed of the man, except in the case of Christ. The preposition, ais, is in the accusative case. and the noun katabolon, conception, is also in the accusative case. The noun sperma is in the genitive case. Does the seed refer to the seed of man or does it refer to the ability of woman to receive the seed and produce posterity? The answer is that Sarah was given power to receive seed and begin a posterity for Abraham in answer to the promise God had given to Abraham. And her conception was even beyond the time for childbearing. She regarded the one having promised faithful. Hence, she, like her husband, was living a life of faith. She had laughed when she was told she would have a child, but she was ninety years of age and past the age of childbearing. Nevertheless, God gave her power to receive seed and start a posterity for her husband. Thus, there came into being many seed from one as good as dead, as the stars of the heavens in multitude, and as the sand beside the seashore innumerable. All the patriarchs died in faith, not having received the promise. Conclusively, their being in Canaan was not the conclusion of the promise. There is something else. The patriarchs lived their lives looking for the fulfillment of the promise. They confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. They desired a permanent settlement found only in the Eternal City. If they were thinking of Mesopotamia, the country they had left, they had opportunity to return, verse 15. Their minds were not on where they had been, but where they were going. They lived a life of faith and obedience with their eyes set on the Eternal City of God. This brings us to the third division of chapter six, continually living the life of faith. Many acts of faith follow the first act of faith. This was true in the life of Abraham. Based on his faith that God would make his seed as the dust of the earth and God's command to arise and walk through the land, Abraham obeyed. Genesis chapter 13, verses 16 through 18. Based on his faith, he obeyed God and fought and won the battle with Chedor-le-Omer. After his victory over Chedor-le-Omer, Abraham's assurance was renewed and his faith was strengthened. Abraham believed God, and it was put to his account because of righteousness. Hence, Abraham exhibited many acts of faith prior to Genesis chapter 15 verse 6, which was quoted by Paul in Romans chapter 4 verse 3. Quote, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted, Arius passive indicative of logizimae, which means reckoned, counted, put to the account of, calculate, estimate, consider, etc. Unto him four, ice, accusative of cause, which means because of, righteousness. The fifth verse of Romans 4 makes a statement similar to that of verse 3. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for ice, accusative of cause, which means on account of righteousness. The same is true of verse 9. Faith was reckoned, put to his account, to Abraham, for ice, accusative of cause, which means because of righteousness. and of verse 22, it was imputed to him, but to his account, for ice, accusative of cause, which means because of righteousness. Abraham had already been justified before God and before his own conscience. Hence, his justification was manifested by his life of faith. The righteousness of Romans chapter 4 verse 3 and 5 is faith righteousness. Quote, For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Close quote. Romans chapter 4 verse 13 Distinction must be made between faith-righteousness and Christ-righteousness. The elect are not justified on the basis of faith-righteousness, but on the basis of the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. There can be no faith righteousness antecedent to either imputed or imparted righteousness. The latter are the cause of the former. Faith righteousness makes no contribution to the righteousness of God that justifies. Furthermore, it can do nothing subsequent to imputed and imparted righteousness to assist in the justification of the sinner, because the justified sinner can do nothing to help obtain what he already has. Justification is by the righteousness of one, and not the righteousness of two. God-given faith is not emotion, but devotion, which leads to a devoted life. This faith is not passive, it is active. One not only comes to Christ, but he also continues coming to Christ. 1 Peter 2, verse 4. He not only believes, but he also continues believing. 1 John 5, verse 1. Abraham's faith of committal was followed by many acts of faith. Neither Paul nor James looked at the verb believed, an arius active indicative of pastuo, in Romans chapter 4 verse 3 and James chapter 2 verse 23 with the emphasis on either the beginning or the consummation of the action. Both writers looked at the action of the life as a whole. This is consistent with the text and the context. Paul was quoting from Genesis chapter 15 verse 6, which occurred before Abraham was justified by works in offering up his son Isaac upon the altar, Genesis chapter 22. Abraham offered up his son several years after he exercised faith to believe God would give him a son, Genesis chapter 15 verses 5 and 6. James used the same statement to speak of Abraham offering up his son. This statement is also quoted in Galatians chapter 3 verse 6. Considering all the passages together, one concludes that they refer to the life of faith. Abraham's whole life, after he had been called by God, was lived in faith. Paul's testimony of Philippians chapter 3 verses 8 and 9 harmonizes with his example of Abraham. Quote, Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him not having my own righteousness, which is of the law. but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." The faith expressed by Paul embraced the objective righteousness of Jesus Christ and lived in constant renewal as he reflected on God's grace. By faith he was able to adapt to whatever circumstances occurred. The quotation of Genesis chapter 15 verse 6 and Galatians chapter 3 verse 6 also refers to Abraham's life of faith. Jesus Christ had been set forth, an Arius Passive Indicative of Pragrapho, having been crucified, perfect passive participle of Stharu, among the Galatians. Galatians chapter 3 verse 1. The Galatians had nothing to do with Christ having been set forth crucified. That was the work of God. Therefore, Paul was surprised and indignant at their lack of understanding. He called them foolish, from anotas, which means unwise or not understanding. This is the reason the legalizers were causing disturbance among them. The Galatians were lacking in perception. They had begun in the Spirit. Did they think they could be made perfect by the energy of the flesh? Had they suffered many things for Christ in vain? The apostle was not discussing their salvation, but their justification before men by their works. Hence, he used the illustration of Abraham's life of faith, Galatians 3, verse 6. The quotation of Genesis 15, verse 6, in James 2, verse 23, was to show that the regenerated person is justified before men by his works. James is teaching that the person who has the gift of faith will manifest it by his works. Life demonstrates its invisible existence by visible fruit. Quote, What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man may say, present active subjunctive of lego which means may say He hath faith and have not works Can that faith save him? if a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say arias active subjunctive of lego which means may say Unto them depart in peace Be you warmed and filled? Notwithstanding, you give them not those things which are needful to the body. What doth it profit?" James chapter 2 verses 14 through 16. Can fruitless faith save? Since faith without works is dead, from necros, which means lifeless, useless, ineffective, fruitless, or dead, it cannot save. James chapter 2 verse 17. There is no such thing as fruitless God-given faith. The life principle of a tree cannot be seen except as the tree grows its foliage and fruit. The physical life principle itself cannot be seen. It is invisible except as it is manifested by movement, hearing, and talking. Eternal life is invisible except as it is made manifest by what a person does, what he says, and when he bears fruit. The person justified by works has already been justified before God and justified by his faith before himself. What profit is there if anyone is saying he has faith and has not works? Can such faith save him? Faith justifies the regenerated person. Works also justify him, but they justify him before others and at the same time justify his faith. This signifies that doctrine calls for practice. Doctrine is only the beginning. Fruitfulness follows. While Abraham was being called, he obeyed, and his life was a life of fruitfulness. James is stressing the truth that where good works are absent, faith is lacking. Dead faith is without works, and dead works are without faith. Anyone can say he has faith, but that kind of faith cannot save him. James illustrated that kind of faith by saying, if a brother or sister who is destitute of the necessities is merely told to go in hell, warm yourself, and feed yourself, the person speaking thus does not demonstrate that he has faith. Many take this out of context and teach that the church is to feed and clothe the needy of the world. However, James was not proclaiming a social gospel. He was demonstrating what true faith will do for a brother or sister within the local assembly. The church does have a vital role in taking care of widows and persons in need within the local congregation. Christians can be in distress. Paul spoke of his being deprived of the necessities of life, being hungry, poorly clothed, and maltreated. Nevertheless, he never begged. There are less than 10 references in all of the scriptures on the subject of begging, but none of them refer to a child of God. The record of the blind men in John 9 and Mark 10 refers to the time of their unregenerate state. When God saves a begging person, he ceases to be a beggar. The psalmist verified this truth, quote, I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread, close quote. Psalms chapter 37, verse 25. God's seed never beg, no matter how hungry they may become. Persecution was such in the early days of the church that many Christians were in great need. Hence, they sold their possessions and placed the resources in a common pool to help those in need. This is what James was talking about. Christians are willing to help those in the local assembly who are not in a position to help themselves. The idea that the church is commissioned to feed, educate, and reform the world is not biblical. God's people have always been referred to as a little flock. Can you imagine a little flock feeding, educating, and reforming the whole world? Instead of being called to do these things, the church has been called to carry the message that God has committed to her trust in order that she might reach with the gospel those God is regenerating, that they might be saved. This is the mission of the church. Faith is dead if it does not perform good works. James chapter 2 verse 17. God-given faith does not remain alone. There may be only a minimal amount of fruit, but the person with God-given faith will produce some fruit. This is proved by the parable of the sower, Matthew 13. Doctrine calls for practice. The person who does not practice the truth, to which he has been exposed, has not had his heart opened to hear. God opened Lydia's heart so that, quote, she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul, close quote. Acts chapter 16, verse 14. Lydia, a dealer of purple cloth or dye in the city of Thyatira, was worshipping God. At this point in time, she may be classified with Cornelius, who also worshipped God. He was a devout man, feared God, was generous with his money, and prayed to God. He did all these before Peter was sent to proclaim the message, whereby he was converted. He had already been regenerated and prepared for the hearing of the truth. Lydia was worshipping God because she had already been regenerated. When the Lord opened her heart to hear, she followed the Lord in baptism. The baptism of Lydia's household, or family, is misrepresented by many to teach the household salvation, even including infants. Infants cannot believe and they cannot willingly submit to baptism. Although some infants may have been present in the instances of Lydia, the Philippian jailer, Cornelius, Crispus, and Stephanus, regeneration by the Spirit of God and faith in conversion precede baptism. The households mentioned in the New Testament are the households of Lydia. the Philippian jailer, Acts chapter 16 verses 30 through 34, Cornelius, Acts chapter 10 verses 24 and 44, Crispus, Acts chapter 18 verses 8 through 10, and Stephanas, 1st Corinthians chapter 1 verse 16. None of these offer any proof of infant baptism or covenant theology. In each case, faith preceded baptism. The Philippian jailer was guarding Paul and Silas in the prison when God sent an earthquake to release his servants. The jailer was terrified, knowing that some great power had intervened. He brought the two prisoners outside and asked what was necessary for him to be doing to be saved. They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family shall be saved. The Greek word for house, oikos, can mean house, home, family, household, nation, people, etc. The word family fits the context in this instance. Acts chapter 16 verse 31. Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all the ones dwelling in his house. The jailer and his family were baptized immediately. He brought Paul and Silas into his house and set a table before them and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household or family. Where can you get infant baptism out of that? Can babies believe? In the case of Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, he with all his house and many of the Corinthians were hearing, were active in believing, and were submitting to baptism. Acts chapter 18 verses 8 through 10. The imperfect tense is used for both believing and submitting to baptism. The regenerated person possesses the spirit of faith, 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 13. The spirit of faith can and will act. Faith does not bestow reality where there is none. The average person believes that by his faith salvation becomes a reality. If this were true, salvation would be out of one's faith, which is contrary to the teaching of the scripture. Subjective faith, God's gift to the person he has regenerated, is only the channel through which objective faith flows. Subjective faith alone does not save. If it did, everyone who claims to have faith, regardless of what kind of faith it is, would be saved. Saving faith sees Christ who is invisible. Whom having not seen, ye love. In whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Although he is not seen with the physical eye, the person born from above loves him because the love of God has been poured out in his heart by the Holy Spirit. Object of faith concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ gives subject of faith assurance, power, and victory. Quote, Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, for our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. and ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 1 verses 4-6. Assurance does not come from activity or from listening to music, but from the word of God. Everyone believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, loves God, keeps His commandments, and overcomes the world. 1 John 5 verses 1-4. The victory that overcomes the world is our faith. Such faith is anchored in Jesus Christ who makes hope a reality. Sense works are the fruit of faith. The Christian shows his faith by bearing fruit. Quote, wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them, close quote. Matthew chapter 7 verse 20. Where there is no spiritual fruit, there is no faith. One is justified by works before men. Abraham was justified before men by his works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. The purpose of works is to manifest faith. Men see that Abraham's faith was working with his works. and by the works faith was completed." James chapter 2 verses 22 and 23. Here is the true definition of Romans chapter 4 verse 3, which is questioned by many. Abraham is an example of living faith. The life of faith he was living justified him before men. This is not talking about his first act of faith. Like Paul's reference to Genesis chapter 15 verse 6, in Romans chapter 4 verse 3, 5, 9, 11, and 22, James referred to the same verse, quote, and the scripture was fulfilled, Arius passive indicative of plero, which means fulfilled, completed, or fully realized. which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for ice, accusative of cause, which means because of righteousness, accusative of dachias, which means a state or quality of one who is righteous. And he was called the friend of God." James chapter 2 verse 23. The scripture that was fully realized was Genesis chapter 15 verse 6. Abraham believed God, and it was put to his account because of righteousness, and righteousness refers to a state or quality of one who is in a right relationship with God. In other words, Abraham was not justified before God by his faith. A study in chronology will reveal that some 40 years of history had passed between Abraham's first act of faith, Genesis 12, verse 1, and the record concerning his life of faith, Genesis 15, verse 6. God's favor flowed to Abraham through his God-given faith. To emphasize that justification by works is before men, James said, quote, you see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only, close quote. Chapter 2, verse 24. He added the illustration of Rahab, the prostitute, being justified by her life of faith before men when she received the messengers and sent them out another way. Verse 25. Rahab, the prostitute, was no longer a prostitute. God has some from all walks of life, and he can do what he pleases with his own. God had already done something for her. The spies were sent to spy out Jericho. God had already pronounced judgment upon Jericho. They were spies to Jericho, but they were messengers of God sent with God's message to Rahab. A regenerated person never despises God's truth or his ordained means for the proclamation of truth. Rahab was in accord with the judgment God had passed upon the people of Jericho. The pronouncement of judgment on the people of Jericho reminds us of the judgment God had passed upon the people of the world. One cannot be among the people of God without violating allegiance to what goes on in the country or world in which he lives. The messengers had just been sent. Hence, Rahab was not well informed. Therefore, she did things she would not have done later. And every Christian will admit he did things, when he was a babe in Christ, steeped in spiritual ignorance, that he would not think of doing now. Rahab justified her faith before men. 1. Her faith was of God. Hence, she was in a position to receive the messengers, who were also spies. Joshua chapter 2. 2. She confessed her faith when she said, quote, our hearts did melt, close quote. Joshua chapter 2, verses 9 through 11. 3. She lied about the spies, which manifested that her faith was not perfect. Her lying, like David's adultery, is not for imitation or justification of ourselves in sinning. Unlike most Christians, God does not hide the sins of His family. He displays all the imperfections of his family for the world to see. 4. Her faith was the evidence of love. It was a faith that works by love. Galatians chapter 5 verse 6. The messengers came in the front door, but she sent them out a different way. 5. She was rewarded. Joshua chapter 6. Her family was spared. A greater reward was the inclusion of her name in the genealogy of our Lord. Regardless of those through whom the human nature of Christ would come, He was protected from all sin. Her name is also inscribed in the chapter on the Excellency of Faith, Hebrews 11, verse 31. What a reward to have her name inscribed upon the imperishable scroll of Holy Scripture. James repeated that faith without works is dead, for emphasis. Quote, for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Close quote. James chapter 2 verse 26. Dead faith is without works, and dead works are without faith. In the trials of the life of faith, actions and works are blemished. Abraham and Rahab lied. Moses disobeyed by smiting the rock twice. Peter denied the Lord, etc. God forgives the evil in our good actions and works. We must look at the overall life of faith of every Christian. Every Christian, like Abraham, Rahab, and others, will demonstrate his faith by his works. In conclusion, the following are some established biblical facts concerning justification. 1. God's justification of the elect is on the basis of imputed righteousness. Romans chapter 8 verses 30 and 33. This is before divine justice. God's declaration of righteousness on the ground of imputed righteousness must not be confused with imparted righteousness. Justification, like election, is before faith unto faith. Abraham had been justified prior to Paul's reference to his faith in Romans chapter 4 verse 3. 2. Justification by faith is on the foundation of imparted righteousness. Romans chapter 5 verse 1. This is before the consciousness of the one justified by God. Therefore, Abraham had been justified before God prior to his justification by faith. 3. Justification by works is on the basis of imparted righteousness. James chapter 2 verses 20-25. This is before men. God, faith, and works all declare the elect righteous. But the declarations are before different persons and for different reasons. God's justification before divine justice on the basis of imputed righteousness does not actually make the elect sinners righteous. In fact, we did not even exist. Hence, God could declare Abraham justified when the patriarch was both non-existent and ungodly in himself. Faith's justification of regenerated sinners on the basis of imparted righteousness does not cleanse them from the guilt and condemnation of sin. It is simply a declaration to their own consciousness of sins forgiven by both imputed and imparted righteousness. They were already new creatures in Christ. Therefore, their faith did not complement God's work of quickening them. Work's justification on the ground of imparted righteousness does not give a person standing before God. He already has that standing. This has to do with his condition. Although work's justification does not give one standing before God, it does justify him before men. Chapter 7 The Protecting Shield of Saving Faith Doctrine merges into walk, and walk merges into warfare. Doctrine is of no value unless it merges into walking worthy of him who has called us by His grace. The epistle to the Ephesians goes from doctrine in the first part of the epistle to the walk of the believer in the middle part and concludes with warfare in the closing verses of chapter 6. This epistle of such spiritual elevation and magnitude descends into a battlefield for its conclusion. Jesus Christ won positional victory for us at Calvary. But recipients of that victory are expected, by the grace and the power of God, to take the full armor of God and win conditional victory. The realization that God's power is engaged in defense of His own enables believers to fight the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy chapter 6 verse 12. Brethren are exhorted to, quote, put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand, close quote. Ephesians chapter 6 verse 11. The saints go from the inward principle of grace to the external exercise of that principle. Since Jesus Christ has already won positional victory for his own in his death at Calvary, it is now our responsibility by the inward principle of grace to take the shield of faith and win for ourselves conditional victory. Doctrine merges into the Christian walk, which immediately encounters struggling with the forces of evil. Christians do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against, quote, principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, close quote. Ephesians chapter 6 verse 12. Principalities are authorities. Powers refer to Satan, who has names of great power. He is called a strong man in Luke 11, verse 21. He is called the roaring lion in 1 Peter 5, verse 8. He leads sinners captive at his will, 2 Timothy 2, verse 26. However, this power is derived and limited, John 19, verse 11. Hence, Satan cannot do what he will and shall not do what he can. Rulers of darkness are in Satan's empire, but his empire is restricted by time. Satan is already judged, convicted, and condemned, but his execution is stayed until the consummation of all things. The child of God also fights against spiritual wickedness, or forces of wickedness. This concludes side A of tape number 3.