1. "Forgiveness of Sins" (Col. 1:14). The work of Christ is the righteous basis on which God forgives. The Cross is where sin was put away from before the throne (Heb. 1:3). The blessing becomes ours the moment Christ is received as a personal Saviour. By faith in God's testimony, sin is then put away from the conscience (Heb. 10:2; Acts 13:38,39).

2. "Dead to Sin" (Rom. 6:2,6,8). Sins were not only atoned for, but "our old man" is crucified with Christ. Our sinful, guilty past has been closed up in death—"dead with Christ." This is true of every believer. (Col. 3:3).

3. "Sin Condemned in the Flesh" (Rom. 8:3), is a further lesson, and when learned is the secret of a life of holiness. Sin (the root) is not forgiven, but condemned. Thus three things, true of each believer, took place at the Cross: Sins were put away; our old man crucified; and sin condemned.

4. "Reckon Yourselves Dead to Sin" (the root—Rom. 6:11). Reckon is faith on the believer's part, in accepting God's judgment on ourselves (not realization) and is the secret of the full enjoyment of the three former blessings and the key which unlocks the door of deliverance out of Rom. 7, and puts one in the green pastures of Rom. 8.

5. "Bearing About in the Body the Dying of the Lord Jesus" (2 Cor. 4:10). Here we get experience, realization, the giving up of my will to that of another; owning His perfect claims over me, thus yielding ourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead (Rom. 6:13).

6. "Delivered Unto Death" (2 Cor. 4:11). God comes in to assist us in this work; is fully with us in our desires, etc., and permits trials to come across our path as Jesus had when here, and thus we share His path, have fellowship with Him; all this for His glory, and for our help and blessing.

7. "The Life of Jesus Manifest in our Mortal Bodies" (2 Cor. 4:6-11). God's purpose is now complete as regards us on earth. The end is reached. "The path of the just is as a shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." We commence at the cross (the basis); faith—the opened hand which receives the blessing; practical experience in our path; then last, but not least, Christ seen and manifested in us (partially, of course); when He comes, this last will be perfect. This is what we are saved for.

—A.E. Booth