Past or Present?
The tense is important....
I will use Galatians 2:20 as an example of how the satanic alteration of verb tense in modern English Bible translations takes our focus off sanctification (the present tense of our salvation) and onto justification (the past tense of our salvation). Satan is a deceiver and subtle, and I am convinced the translators were aware of the deception.
I will use the King James Version and the New King James Version as translations from the same Textus Receptus, the original unaltered manuscripts.
The King James Version (The Present Tense)
Galatians 2:20 KJV 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.
The sanctified life is the life of a spiritual slave to Jesus. The sanctified saint picks up his/her own cross daily and walks to Golgotha. “I am crucified with Christ,” exclaims the present-tense reality of our life from the indwelling spirit, the “yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Our faith is the “faith OF THE Son of God.” His faith is imputed to us when we are born again.
The New King James Version (The Past Tense)
Galatians 2:20 NKJV I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
“I am” has been replaced by “I have been,” a past-tense reference designed to distract us from the present-tense sanctification and renewal of mind that the transformed life demands. While we look backward at the cross for our salvation, we are focused on the wrong thing. Propitiation of our sins is important, but it leads to a lazy faith focused on a past achievement rather than an ongoing self-examination of who we are today. We leave ourselves open to the “Did God really say?” question Satan will always ask us in our weak moments.
“I live by the faith of” has been replaced by “I live by faith in”, transferring active faith to a deceased outside person, Christ Jesus, the crucified, resurrected, and glorified saviour.
“Faith in” what? The finished work again, not the current indwelling work.
Conclusion
Our current selves are a direct reflection of our self-perception.
“I have been saved” is a false flag that dictates how we behave in the natural. The pleasures of our physical existence consume our lives while we think the finished work absolves us without any transformation. These people majority own our churches.
“I am saved” recognizes our present-tense true identity in Christ, which also dictates our behaviour. A renewed mind and a life transformed in spiritual slavery to Christ are the outworkings of our true identity in Christ. These people accept no spiritual authority from anyone other than Christ.
This will not happen without the foreknowledge of God.
Romans 8:29 ESV For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
If you are foreknown, Christ will hound you to be conformed to His image. You are the Wheat awaiting the harvest. Satan will see you as his enemy and attack your weaknesses.
If Christ is not hounding you, you are not foreknown, and you are the tares waiting to be put into bundles to be burnt. Satan will leave you alone.
I wish you every blessing in Christ.
Jude 1:24-25 ESV Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, (25) to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.