What happens when we truly believe in Christ's finished work?
When a person truly and honestly believes that Christ accomplished everything needed on their behalf, God imputes His righteousness to them, covering them. Christ moves in and gives them power to live a life pleasing in His sight. Though they may fall or trip, God forgives, cleanses, and tells them to move on.
Les teaches that this great covering of salvation is imputed, a bookkeeping term meaning to put to the account. God's righteousness is imputed to us and covers us because we have believed what He has done on our behalf. Les addresses the common objection that a person believes but still seems defeated; he says if that is the case, something is wrong in the believing end. When we truly and honestly believe that Christ accomplished everything needed on our behalf, He moves right in and gives us the power to live that life pleasing in His sight. Although we will fall and trip, God is like a patient young mother who never gives up, picking us up and saying, You're forgiven, you're cleansed, now move on. Les clarifies he is speaking of people genuinely concerned about dealing with God on His premises, not a flash in the pan or merely walking an aisle, joining a church, or fulfilling a ritualistic demand.