So, it's always been "salvation by grace plus law, faith plus works" according to you?
In regard to Romans 3:31, how do you define "establish the law?" We establish or uphold the law by putting our faith in the One who fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf and who offers us His perfect righteousness as a free gift. (
Romans 4:5-6) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (
Romans 10:4)
By faith we are restored to the image of God.
In His infinite love, God is working to restore His divine likeness within the human soul. This was the original purpose of our creation and remains the grand object of the plan of salvation.
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
But sin came alone and destroyed God image in us.
Jesus came to this world as the "express image" of the Father to show us how to live and to provide the power necessary for our transformation.
I feel like you have a different understanding to me, of what it means to be restored in the image of God.
You are focusing on the gift of justication and the provision made for the past sins. But God also wants to free us from the slavery of sin.
2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Beholding Jesus we are changed into the same image.. Jesus kept the sabbath Holy. Beholding Him we should keep it holy too.
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Phi 2:12.....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
We will be changed physically ...
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption...
And the restoration will be completed when we are given new bodies.
But do you think the restoration of our characters is an instant thing, do you think God will force us to think differently and change our characters. ??
I believe sanctification is a big Part of the restoration.
And sanctification is by faith.