What is the difference between "godly sorrow" and "worldly sorrow?"

God doesn't save a man because man's sorry for his wrongdoing. God saves men because they trust in the work of Christ "alone" for the forgiveness of sins. The sorrow of a natural man's heart worketh death. The sorrow in a man's heart that's prompted by the Spirit of God will lead man to Salvation. What does death mean? Death is separation from God. Death is separation from God's power to change the moral makeup of man. A natural man repeats the same act of sin over and over and over again. Why? He's controlled by a sinful nature. Each time the natural man says he's sorry...he's not truly sorry from the heart because it's not prompted by God because of Christ?

Man's fallen nature proves that man is a rebel against God. His will is controlled by the sinful nature. In relation to Godly sorrow...Godly sorrow is the work of the Spirit of God that sways the will of man. Godly sorrow leads man to Salvation of the human soul. Why? It's the work of God that "breaks" the will of a natural man and shows this individual what he really is. The Spirit of God "convicts" the conscience of a natural man. The Spirit of God "breaks" the will of a fallen man. How? The Holy Spirit shows man what he really is in light of a Savior on the Cross...in light of a resurrected Christ...in light of the holiness and purity of the God of our Salvation.

When man is truly and godly sorrowful for the acts of sin he committed against God...he will turn to Christ and never go back. Why? His mind is changed! He realizes his helplessness. He realizes his hopelessness. He realizes he has no strength without Christ...and by the way...the Grace of God also delivers the penitent from "the guilt of sin". Only the Grace of God can remove guilt from the human conscience.

Worldly sorrow does not break the will of man...Godly sorrow does! Godly sorrow is the affect of the power of the Holy Spirit that "sways" the will of a rebel against God...just enough...to cause this person to believe! Godly sorrow causes rebels to turn away from sin and turn to Christ! Godly sorrow leads men to repentance! Godly sorrow is the affect of the work of God upon the human soul...worldly sorrow that bringeth forth death is a vicious cycle that repeats the same sinful action over, over, and over again.

2 Cor 7:9-11... Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Notice the attitude of the penitent ( a man of Godly sorrow) in the following part of the verse...

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, (this man cared about his actions) yea, what clearing of yourselves (this man cleared himself from sinful conduct), yea, what indignation (this man hated the old life), yea, what fear (this man had great reverence toward God), yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge (this man had revenge against the old life of sin)! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

The work of the Holy Spirit can never be limited. The work of the Holy Spirit reproves the world of sin. The work of the Holy Spirit leads men to repentance and godly sorrow. The work of the Holy Spirit gives the believer in Christ...a desire to "stop" practicing sin.

Grieve not the Holy Spirit!
Quench not the Holy Spirit!

God put this on my heart last night at a Bible study at the Upper Room! I went to bed thinking about it! I woke this morning thinking about it! Thought I'd share it on the Blog.

I like what Paul says in the Corinthian letter about Christ...1 Cor 15:1-4...Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Note how he says..."Keep Christ in memory ". Why? When Christ is kept in memory...you will never grieve or quench the Spirit! Lose memory of Christ and the world will consume you!

Special thanks to Mike and Chuck who prompted this study...and most of all special thanks to Christ who compels this writer to publish this Blog while keeping the legacy of Brother Hubert Lindsey alive... in 2009! I'll close with the following Bible verse...

1 Cor 6:20...For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The ministry and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit

This document was originally written in 2004 by Rick Roehm. I don't think this subject is touched on enough, today in our present Church World...but should be. So for Sunday April 5th, 2009, I'm going to re-publish this excellent teaching for those who those who desire more enlightment about the "Sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit".

Christ ministers to both saved and unsaved souls through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Through infinite love and mercy the Father draws men to salvation of the soul through conviction, repentance, and faith in the death of a Savior for personal forgiveness from sin. All these come from hearing, learning, and accepting the Gospel message that Christ commanded us to preach. Since the original sin in the Garden of Eden man has remained unholy from birth and polluted with an Adamic nature.  The Bible teaches the will and desire of every human being born is to do wrong in the sight of God. The ministry and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is God’s method of restoring humanity back to a God-given state of righteousness.

The first work of the Holy Spirit through conviction affects the will, conscience, and desire of man by revealing the sinful and unholy heart. Man’s need for a Savior’s love is made known to the penitent as the Holy Spirit testifies the person of Christ to the human soul. Through conviction from the Holy Spirit and guilt from the human conscience, condemnation from sin is revealed and placed heavy upon mans inner being. The Holy Spirit places a desire in that heart of man to quit wrong doing.  Conviction is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that affects the human soul and leads a sinful man to repentance.

Repentance is the process of an unbeliever changing his mind after the ministry of the Holy Spirit’s conviction sways the human will to change or brokenness. God’s goodness leads men to repentance as the Holy Spirit reveals man’s need for a Savior’s mercy and forgiveness. When man recognizes Christ and sees himself as he really is, the presence of the Holy Spirit makes man sorrowful for a wrongful past and his unholiness of heart. This man will no longer want to continue in sin and unrighteousness. Man thus turns away from sin and cries out to God for help.  The process of repentance through the work of the Holy Spirit is a sinful mans action of turning away from sin and disobedience to a life of obedience and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Repentance is simply a change of mind.

Trusting in the death of Christ for personal forgiveness of sins allows God to give man a new heart which begins the new life in Christ. This new creation in Christ comes through the Spirit’s work of regeneration in the human soul.  Regeneration is a re-created mind, will, and conscience produced by God’s Grace in the new birth. The inner make-up of man is morally restored with a divine nature like Adam had before the fall.  Through the Holy Spirit’s power of regeneration a sinful man is converted into a child of God and thus receives a God-given divine nature. In this new birth man’s sins are not only forgiven but also a new desire from the Holy Spirit is given to the believer in Christ… to forsake sin.

The Holy Spirit testifies Christ and confirms the truth of God’s Word.  This revelation does not come from flesh and blood it comes straight from the Throne of God. After regeneration the work of the Holy Spirit continues making Christ known to the heart of a believer through divine revelation. This witness from the Spirit not only reveals Christ but also strengthens the believer inwardly. Regeneration from the Holy Spirit leads the believer in Christ to sanctification. Sanctification allows the Spirit of God to cut the believer away from the old man and the old life of self consisting of bad habits, selfish desires, selfish affections, etc. that still exists. An inner conflict which began through the power of the new birth arises between mans inherited carnal nature and the newly given divine nature. The power of the Holy Spirit’s witness exposes the conflict caused from the Old Man that still tries to rule. This exposure in light of the death of Christ on the cross reveals the crucifixion of self.  Crucifixion of self is brought more to a believer’s attention by the Spirit of God. Crucifixion of self is an actual death to the Old Man. This crucifixion of self is experienced in the life of a believer by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible states, “The body of sin might be destroyed”. Romans 6:6

Sanctification through the Spirit reaches to the deepest need found in the heart of a believer. This need is the crucifixion of self that gets in the way of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit leads the believer in Christ to the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying power that’s found in the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Sanctification through the Spirit is a work that enables the Spirit of God to sever a believer away from a selfish life of I, me, and mine that exists… to the complete crucifixion (death) of the Old Man. After Sanctification through the Spirit cuts man away from all the conflicts in life God also can preserve and fortify this faithful man in Christ.  This operation in the life of a believer is the “fullness” of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and comes after regeneration and after the crucifixion of self where the body of sin, the Adamic nature is destroyed. Yes, a believer can be completely rid of the Old Man. God said so!

        
 Indwelling sin is destroyed as the indwelling Holy Spirit takes full possession of mans total being.  This final work of the Holy Spirit is called, “Entire Sanctification”. It’s proven in New Testament records through the sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire and follows the regenerating work of the new birth.  Two complete experiences through the ministry and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.  Both experiences take place at separate times. Regeneration is the experience of a sinner and takes place when forgiveness of sins is received. Sanctification is the experience of the believer and takes place when the Old Man is crucified.

Unlike the new convert at regeneration where the conflicting Adamic nature still tries to rule, the entirely sanctified believer is completely delivered from the carnal nature and relieved from the bondages caused from all struggles in life… both inner* and outer*. This completed work of Sanctification allows the Holy Spirit to have full sway of the believer’s entire being and character. After the inward work of the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is experienced, a believer’s life is renewed in the Spirit.  Holiness of heart and full trust in Christ for everything in life without an inner or outer struggle is proof of this renewal.

*Inner Struggle…conflict between the new nature and the Adamic life…after the new birth

*Outer Struggle…conflict with the problems of life that man can’t control

Unfortunately for many, the fullness of the work of the Holy Spirit is missed and never experienced until late stages of the Christian life or even after death to the physical body.  When the blessing of Entire sanctification is however; experienced and walked out for a long period of time on this side of heaven it offers: an unimaginable life that provides victory over sin; gives a sense of contentment the world can never offer; and provides a full assurance to an eternal inheritance that awaits every child of God in heaven. There is no struggle when God has your complete trust and dependency on Him for everything in life. There is a contentment found in this experience that can be found in no other place in life on this side of Heaven. It’s Full Salvation that offers the full blessing of deliverance. It’s not just being saved it’s being completely dependent on God without the Old man trying to dictate your life.

This writer does not have all the Biblical answers for all of our encounters in life. I know the new birth is taught in the Bible. I know the baptism with the Holy Ghost is taught in the Bible. Both operations regeneration and Sanctification have their distinct purpose. This discourse on the ministry and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit was written only to build up ones personal faith in Christ who regenerates and sanctifies. This document is intended only to encourage men to learn more about the truth of the Bible.  This writing is based on an overview of all New Testament records that agrees with the Epistles of Paul, John, James, and Peter after the death of Christ. This writing contains many years of doctrinal clarification and clarifies with words the most blessed experience any man can receive from a living Christ in the Throneroom.  Sanctification entire, the will of God, is one of the greatest blessing’s any believer can receive on the Christian side of life.

….As a believer grows in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ a closer walk with God is developed.  A shallow knowledge of Christ can also mean a shallow walk with God. A broad knowledge of Christ will increase faith and bring responsibility to the heart of a believer…

                                                                                                            

 Hubert T. Lindsey

The Sanctified life...harmony between man and God

Brother Lindsey once told this writer that "Sanctification" was the most sacred theme of the Holy Scriptures. I accept that fact and like Hubert Lindsey... I also rank the subject of sanctification very highly. Sanctification is more than doctrine, "It's the experience of Full Salvation" in the life of a believer. May this Blog help to enlighten all readers and recipients to the truth about God's Word and the experience of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

The sanctified life goes beyond conviction; beyond the new birth; and beyond death to the Old man. It’s the fullness of the work of the Spirit of God experienced in the heart and life of a believer. (Conviction, Regeneration, Spirit Baptism, Justification, Sanctification, circumcision of the flesh, etc.*)  The work of the Holy Spirit is experienced in the personal life, domestic life, social life, the workplace, and religious life. “The first work of the Spirit” reproves the heart of sinful man by making Christ known.

John 16: 8, 9…and when He (the Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment, of sin because they believe not on me… (Christ)

*Other examples of the “work of the Holy Spirit” are shown in the life of a believer and can be viewed as: conviction in the heart of a sinner; a leading to repentance which causes men to change their minds; enlightenment that causes men to believe and accept Christ; exposure of the carnal nature; a compelled direction toward the crucifixion of the Old man; all leading to deliverance from indwelling sin; and the miraculous baptism with the Indwelling Spirit.

Inside the experience of the work of the Spirit… life can be seen as; (1.) a path to Justification by faith; (2.) Justification by faith can be seen as a path to crucifixion of self; (3.) crucifixion of self can be seen as a path to the fullness of Sanctification through the Spirit.  Based on mans “belief in Christ” and “what God does” within this heart and life, Sanctification can be seen as the “perfect work of the Holy Spirit”. This perfect operation in the heart and life of man only comes from God and makes any believer complete in Salvation within the realm of Christ. (Present tense)

1Thessalonions 5: 23…and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly (entirely); and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless (present tense) unto the coming of our Lord…

Colossians 2: 9, 10…for in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete (fully furnished) in Him…

As the heart of man is reproved in the presence of Christ, man sees himself as he really is.  In light of Christ’s Divine presence secrets from the heart of man can be exposed and uprooted.  The ministry of the Spirit thus teaches man accountability for his own actions and decisions in the sight of God.  The sanctified life has always been Gods Divine will and purpose since the creation of man, even before the fall of Adam.

Ephesians 1:4-5….According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

2 Thess 2:13-14…because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

During the Old Testament times a sanctified vessel was set apart for God’s sacred use. Now, in  New Testament time the believer (a sanctified vessel) is set apart from things such as sinful acts; lusts of the flesh; pleasures of the world; and /or devices of the Devil.  Separated by the Spirit of Holiness and endued with power (for Gods sacred use) a sanctified man becomes a witness to Christ through the Holy Spirit’s influence in the cleansed heart and soul.  This enduement of power, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is the “full sway of the Holy Spirit” within the cleansed heart and life of a believer that reflects Christ in both word and standard of living.

Luke 24: 49…and behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high…

Acts 1: 8…but you shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me….

After a believer is filled with the Holy Ghost he thus becomes a witness for Christ to a lost world because he has experienced a newness of life the world doesn’t have.  This person will remember when he received Christ … why he received Christ … and how he received Christ. Testimony on behalf of Christ will be given because of such change.

The enduement of power strengthens a believers witness because of the actual experience of deliverance from Adamic life; this deliverance will provide control over the lust of the flesh; also give endurance to escape temptation; helps to overcome worldly things; and removes doubt and produces immovable faith (in Christ) to resist the Devil. When a man is Sanctified Entire he will have something to testify about because he realizes the source from which it came. This witness for Christ will also be ashamed of the old life.

In light of the human side of Sanctification, the truth of the Gospel message effectually ministers to the human soul as it stirs; moves; and causes men to do right.  Repentance, belief in the truth, acceptance of the Word of God, and crucifixion to the old man are various stages of the “Action of man” because of believers trust in Christ.

Since harmony between man and God has always been the will of God, the power and truth of the Gospel is what places a natural man into communion with God. This deliverance is from man’s fallen state of being.  As the work of the Holy Spirit ministers to the human soul, conviction the action of the Spirit of God sways the heart of man toward acceptance of Christ.  The Spirit’s conviction leads man to repentance and belief of the truth. Repentance and belief of the truth thus become an action of a man who is swayed by the ministry of the Spirit of God.

After man believes, the Spirit of God (on the positive side) teaches, guides, and reveals the person of Christ; (on the negative side) the Spirit’s ministration reproves the old man thus leading him toward the crucifixion of self into a life of obedience to God without an inner struggle.

Death to the Old man; putting off; emptying out; or crucifixion of self is what God requires of a believer to be “filled with the Spirit”.  The delivering power of the Baptism with Holy Ghost and fire “destroys the body of sin” after!!! a believer is “dead to the old man”.  As a believer does his part by faith and obedience, God does His part through the Sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

Note!!! How both sides of sanctification are always Christ centered?

A comparison between the “Action of man” and the “Action of God” is shown to illustrate a life in harmony between man and God in Salvation by Grace, through man’s faith in Christ.

Action of man • repentance • belief, faith • obedience • putting off the old man • crucifixion or death to self • subjection

Action of God • Grace • conviction • salvation • redemption • forgiveness of sins • baptism into the body • direction from the Spirit • justification • sanctification • baptism with the Holy Ghost • circumcision of the heart

The Action of God is the perfect operation of God granted (inside the sanctified life). The often misunderstood word perfect relates to the operation of God.

Hebrews 13: 20, 21…Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight…

Both the action of man and the action of God work together to fully furnish believers with the fullness of God thus making them complete in Christ. Being made complete or perfect is what makes man able to do things well pleasing in the sight of God.

Colossians 2: 9, 10…for in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete (fully furnished) in Him…

Carefully consider the Biblical language and terminology used in the Bible concerning both the human side and God’s side of a Sanctified life. It will be more than enlightening for all who desire strong meat rather than milk, concerning the Word of truth.