Good questions cp
First of all, I've got a lot to learn myself, God may correct me today and show me something else tomorrow...I can judge no one. That said,
To Bob and Paul's posts...My thoughts are, my understanding is; precept upon precept...If we reject foundational precepts, then it becomes harder to find the foundation upon which the rest are to reside...and circular questions ensue.
Yet all is of God who conciliates us to Himself through Christ and is giving us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the Word of the Conciliation….He makes to us a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God's righteousness in Him. II Cor. 5:18,19
But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many. Romans 5:15
Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him who justified the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin.
IMO, many foundational precepts have already been presented in earlier posts in this thread. As we pray for discernment, God veils and reveals.
God's blessing, James.