Don't you see, Mark. It's not even the believer that is living his life before God.
"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME; and the LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE in the flesh, I live BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).
From the moment of salvation until the day of Jesus Christ that good work that was begun in me by God will continue in me, by God. It's the HE that began it and it's the HE that performs it until the day of Jesus Christ. Not me. He.
PRAISE GOD FOR THAT. I sure can’t save nor even improve myself. It’a usually a major challenge merely to cooperate!
Don't you see, Mark. It's not even the believer that is living his life before God.
Could you explain what you mean here?
"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME; and the LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE in the flesh, I live BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).
From the moment of salvation until the day of Jesus Christ that good work that was begun in me by God will continue in me, by God. It's the HE that began it and it's the HE that performs it until the day of Jesus Christ. Not me. He.
Notice the difference of your statement from Paul's. Paul is stating that he lives by Christ as in his own volition. You are stating that God uses you like a robot slave. We in the Church rejected that idea nearly 2000 years ago.