Our position is and remains, a heavenly one, simply because we are "in Christ". We may not always appropriate and enjoy our blessings in the heavenlies, but the position remains the same. God always sees us IN CHRIST at His right hand. (Rom. 8:1, 31-34).
We not only are spiritually seated in the heavenlies IN CHRIST, we have access into His presence.
"For through Him we both (Jew and Gentile believer) have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Eph. 2: 17,18).
Romans 5:1,2 speaks of our standing and our privilege together;
"Therefore BEING JUSTIFIED by faith we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
By whom also WE HAVE ACCESS by faith into this grace wherein we stand..."
I think the most humble is closest to God, it's the most prideful that has a problem.
We cannot presume to judge for Jesus or know the future. When our death is present, then we will know for certain.
I think one problem with the “forensic not infused righteousness” view is that it SEEMS to separate reality from, um, let’s say classification.
If God “imputes” righteousness to me, simply, then what does righteousness mean? This is one of those pesky ‘leaning to my own understanding’ things. If we say “God is righteous,” or even “God is righteousness” we are appealing (at least so it seems) to a concept “righteousness” which we generally think has a meaning apart from Divinity. Otherwise the statement is really “God is I know not what.”
That’s one hint of a line of enquiry. Here’s another:
God’s word is active, efficacious. He has but to SAY “Let there be light,” and — shazam! — the utility bill is in the mail!
So I suggest that (I’m not saying this is a new idea to anyone) when God imputes righteousness it’s just a matter of moving the sinner out of pen A into pen B. The very idea that the Ruler of the universe loves me just because helps me toward righteousness. The imputation returns not empty but waters my soul bringing forth good things.
Gimme some feedback, please. I’m just tossing stuff in the air here.