Deep Dive into Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - The Beginning of Salvation: Objective AspectsChristian theology identifies three essential objective aspects of salvation: Union with Christ, Justification, and Adoption. These concepts define a believer's status and standing before God.Union with Christ is a foundational and inclusive concept for all of salvation, signifying an intimate, mutual relationship between Christ and the believer, akin to marriage. It is a profound mystery and is characterized as judicial, spiritual, and vital. Judicially, God sees believers in union with Christ and declares them righteous. Spiritually, it is effected by the Holy Spirit and involves a union of spirits, producing new vitality. Vitally, Christ's life flows into believers, imparting strength. This union means believers are accounted righteous, live in Christ's strength, share in His sufferings, and have the prospect of reigning with Him.Justification is God's forensic (legal, declarative) act of pronouncing sinners righteous in His sight. It addresses humanity's guilt and liability to punishment by imputing Christ's righteousness to the believer. This is not a fiction but a correct evaluation of a new legal entity formed in union with Christ. Justification is a gift received by faith alone, not by works. However, genuine faith invariably produces good works as evidence of salvation, not its cause. While eternal consequences of sin are canceled, temporal consequences may still linger.Adoption means the justified believer receives favored status with God, becoming a child in His family. It involves both a declarative change in legal status and an experiential condition of being favored. Adoption restores the relationship humanity lost through sin. Benefits include continued forgiveness (God as a loving Father, not just a judge), reconciliation, liberty (serving God out of love, not fear), fatherly care, discipline, and God's goodwill. All three aspects occur simultaneously and are intricately linked, representing God's comprehensive redemptive work.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730

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