Forgiveness of sins

When a man receives forgiveness of sins it does not mean he has blanket coverage to sin - for life. Forgiveness of sins is and actual experience where condemnation is lifted and man comes into right-standing with Christ to be walked out - daily. It's called redemption as the redemptive work of the cross of Calvary flows into the human soul. Redemption is an "inner work" of the Spirit of God's Mercy and Grace that forgives and brings righteousness into the believing heart. Redemption and forgiveness of sins are based primarily on the blessing found in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. A forgiven man knows how, why, and when forgiveness was found in Christ the Savior and redeemer.

• Colossians 1:14...In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
• Acts 13:38...Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Forgiveness of sins qualifies a believer in Christ to be Justified and regenerated in the Spirit. Forgiveness is maintained by belief in Christ and faithfulness to Him. An unfaithful man does not have blanket coverage over the acts of sin.

So precious

So precious is God’s Mercy upon us who believe.
So precious is Salvation of the human soul.
So precious is our forgiveness from all past sins.
So precious is our redemption today.
So precious is our victory over sin that the unsaved world can never experience.
Oh, So precious is our Christ who gives us a new life.
So precious is our Christ who changes the moral character.
So precious is Christ, who changes the way we act, behave, and think.
So precious is the one who teaches us to grieve not the Holy Spirit.
So precious and so great is our Salvation.
Oh, so precious.
Oh, so precious,
So precious is Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

When people "get to" Christ...things happen!

It is urgent that I speak to people about getting to Christ at Calvary and reaching Him with the heart and soul through belief. Why? Something happens to the heart and soul of a believer when man "finds" redemption through the power of Christ! Forgiveness is found within the soul of sinful man through belief! Not because this man asked or was sorry..but because Christ loved him enough as a sinner that he would die with a willingness to be crucified. Jesus desires and wants to deliver all men from their evil, wretched, and sinful condition in life...but not solely because they are sorry or they ask...but... because they "believe" and "trust" in what He did for them personally at the Cross at Calvary. Something happens when man turns to Christ's death alone for forgiveness! A sinful man thus becomes "through" with the old lusts . Something happens because a sinner finds power to do right through the death of a Saviour on the cross! People need to find personal forgiveness at Calvary! They need to find personal deliverance from lust and sensuality. They find Mercy and Grace when they connect to a Saviour's love and holiness. When they find Christ and His miracle pardon over their old conversation...they will be through with the old life of lust, through with the old life of sensuality, and through with the old life of dirty living. They willfully "quit" their meanness because Christ changes them morally by the exceeding riches of His Grace! Glory to Christ! Glory to Christ! Glory to Christ!

...through this man (Christ) is preached the forgiveness of sins...Acts 13:38, 39
...in whom we have redemption, ever the forgiveness of sins...Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14

Why? The exceeding riches of God's Grace...

Without understanding of man's "fallen nature" ...there's no need for a Saviour

The following is an excerpt from a biography I'm presently writing about Brother Lindsey. The biography is titled, "The Walking Bible". Since I began writing the biography (2009) God has since taken me in another direction which has become... this Blog. Since back then, this writer has began publishing past radio broadcasts by Brother Lindsey. Before Brother Lindsey died, him and I discussed keeping this ministry alive. I committed to him and through that committment... this Blog and my Church in Williamsburg have both become God's vehicles to carry this Gospel for God...and Brother Lindsey. May this Blog in dedication to Brother Lindsey bless others as much as it this writer. Here's the excerpt...

Hubert's preaching always contrasted "fallen man" with the power of the true Gospel. Hubert’s reasoning was the depravity of man needed to be taught more in the modern Church-world so men would see more of their need for the redemptive work of Christ. Hubert’s preaching always kept the topic of the fallen state of man under the light of the Glorious Gospel. Hubert Lindsey was very sensitive to fallen man’s helplessness, his hopelessness, and his inability to change morally without the redemptive power of Divine Grace. Hubert always emphasized the need for teaching both the frailty of man and the power of a resurrected Savior. Hubert knew that without recognition of man’s fallen state the unsaved world would have no need for the power and presence of a living Christ. Hubert preached Christ to all his listeners and explained in depth mans need for deliverance from the pollution of sin caused from man’s inherited fallen nature.

When Hubert preached he always addressed two types of sin. First was the act of sin that man commits; second was the actual sinful nature of man. Hubert’s Gospel always steered men to turn away from both kinds of sin to an acceptance of the person of Christ as means of redemption. At the end of his sermons Hubert always offered his audience invitation to the redemptive power of Christ. Hubert had no problem understanding that only through the person of Christ could sinful men be led to repentance.

In all of his preaching Hubert always made the point that repentance means to change your mind. Hubert had a God-given way of describing the two-fold meaning of repentance. In one respect he would show repentance as man’s change of mind from wrongdoing and from sinful acts. Secondly, he would teach that repentance is man’s change of mind from what he is by nature. Repentance from the fallen state of man is not taught much in the mainstream today. Hubert understood that only the power from preaching the Gospel leads sinful men to repentance from what they did...and from what they are.

Luke 24:47… And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,

Acts 13:38-39…Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things

Hubert Lindsey confidently recognized the fact that the fallen nature of man was a doctrine taught in almost every book of the Bible. Hubert believed that without this doctrine being taught man would lack understanding or the need for the work of the Holy Spirit that morally sanctifies man from the nature of sin. Hubert wouldn’t budge from the fact that man was carnal by nature as taught in the Bible. He knew that Christ was man’s only hope to be delivered from that propensity of sin! Hubert believed and taught that a man had to know “what he is” before he could find deliverance from the carnal heart through the Spirit’s Sanctifying work. Hubert professed there was a time in the past when the subject of the depravity of man was taught on more. Brother Lindsey proclaimed that the doctrine of depravity faded in the past 100 years. That’s why he called what we’re living in today, “The modern Church-world”. Among other things the modern Church-world has drifted away from teaching on …the depravity of man.

In 1985 Brother Lindsey put this great subject onto an audio recording. It was titled, “Original Sin and doubt”. This audio recording contained a wealth of scriptural evidence that is “a must” for every Christian library.

Hubert attended a Faith Conference in the 80’s where many known figures in the modern Faith Movement attended. He was approached by a popular mainstream Pastor and asked, “What are you going to preach on tonight”. Hubert stated, “Doubt”. The Pastor asked Hubert, “Why doubt at a Faith conference?” Hubert stated because the Holy Spirit deals with the negative side of the human being.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and reveals doubt to the human conscience. Doubt is… faith in Christ’s greatest hindrance. Doubt is the fruit of man’s negative side that causes man to miss Christ. Hubert preached on doubt because it’s a product of the carnal heart. Doubt and uncertainty hinders people from believing or exercising faith in Christ. Hubert preached on doubt so he could show people how God could “rid” man from “it”. When Christ is revealed the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit directly “reproves” the negative part of man that produces doubt and unbelief.

John 16:8-9… And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Life-changing forgiveness

Life-changing forgiveness is spoken by God to a believer in Christ. Man hears and knows forgiveness. God lets one know that every sin is forgiven. A state of holiness is granted and a new life begins. Why? You were "put into" Christ by the Spirit of the living God. Power from above took you out of sin and put you into Christ - because God spoke. This baptism is performed by the Spirit of God just like God delivered Israel through the Red Sea.

Life-changing forgiveness will forsake sin and have a reason to forsake sin to live holy. When forgiveness is found God's pardon overwhelms the soul so much that you don't want to wrong God anymore. A new nature is born. A new character is created. A clean moral conscience allows the believer to make right and holy decisions. Christ centered decisions. Christ centered choices. Christ centered lifestyle.

Forgiveness is to be treasured above all things. Forgiveness is given to allow man to be holy and without blame before God in Christ. A forgiven heart is heart full of peace, joy, and righteousness in the Holy Spirit. Anyone can live and know every sin is forgiven. How? Christ is personally experienced and redemption cleanses the human soul. Many around the globe are taught to live in sin and ask forgiveness daily. What a tragedy! What a bad habit! What a misconception of life-changing forgiveness personally found in the redemptive work of Christ. Forgiveness is not blanket coverage to sin. Forgiveness doesn't entitle you to take for granted wronging God. Forgiveness is life-changing and manifests a life of obedience to Christ. Don't be deceived into thinking you get forgiven once and everything is OK down the road. Forgiveness is a present tense moral state of holiness and right living in the eyes of Christ. Without holiness in this life no man will see the Lord. Without forgiveness when you die no man will see Heaven. Don't kid yourself! You definitely aren't kidding God.

Forgiveness is a state of being. A forgiven life-style is not a life of unholiness or disobedience. Forgiveness is a present tense state of being and doesn't cover your future sin. Sin violates God Almighty like it did in the Fall of Adam. When sin is committed it must be forgiven by Christ. Why not be what God wants you to be. You have power to quit sinning. This tears down the trap of Theological barriers. Christ becomes the central focus on a daily basis. Christ is made your personal forgiveness on a daily basis. The reality of Christ becomes "present tense" in life-changing forgiveness. This kind of forgiveness keeps man from grieving the Spirit of God. Life-changing forgiveness is not given because you asked its given because you trust Christ for personal forgiveness. A forgiven life is a blessed life of holiness and must be maintained daily. A forgiven life is not a license to sin.

Your personal life-changing forgiveness is "present tense proof" a Savior lives.

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.

Are you a believer in Christ or not?

Believer’s in Christ live right in the eyes of God because the believing heart is made clean and holy by the Saving Grace of God. Many claim to believe in Christ but live like devils. Who are they kidding? Surely not God. Be not deceived. True believer’s know every sin is forgiven and the heart is clean and right.  Reason? Believers in Christ receive the power of God’s Grace that morally changes man from a state of depravity to a state of holiness. Big difference. So, are you a believer in Christ or not?

Staying conscious to Christ

Faith can see Christ without eyes.

Recognition understands who Christ is.

The moral change of heart in Salvation brings realization and consciousness to the presence of a living Christ.

Consent to the person of Christ is a matter of personal trust. In order for fallen man to give consent to God - the will and rebellious nature of fallen man must be broken by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Obedience to Christ is outflow of the power of Calvary in the believing soul.

Staying conscious to Christ is an act of faith.

Staying conscious to Christ is forsaking sin.

Staying conscious to Christ is knowing every sin is forgiven.

Staying conscious to Christ is minding the Spirit.

The reason life in the Spirit is greater than life in the flesh

Hebrews 4:12-14...For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

The Word of God and Death are the only (2) things that can separate the soul and spirit - from the physical body. Let's examine separation more closely. The Word of God morally transforms the soul and spirit when  Salvation and forgiveness are found through belief in Christ. Forgiveness is found. The body is no longer governed by the flesh...but by the Spirit of God's Holiness. Thinking is transformed. Behavior is transformed. Conduct is transformed. Why?

"The Word of God that "separates" the inner man from the physical make-up of man...is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Right becomes the object because Christ is within. Moral transformation is made within man's being because Christ is God and He has power to change man inwardly and morally. This is Bible Truth. Not Philosophy! Not religion!"

Bible Truth is denied and misunderstood...but clearly speaks of power that morally transforms a sinner into a saint - by the Grace of God. Here's a picture of how God's Word "separates" the inner make-up of man from the outer part of man's physical make-up.

Hebrews 4:12-14...For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

• The human make-up consists of three parts.  Body, soul and spirit.
• The physical body is controlled and governed by the soul and spirit.
• The soul is man's power to choose and decide.
• The spirit is man's eternal make-up whether lost or saved.
• The inner part of man is "regenerated" when Christ and personal forgiveness are found.
• The Spirit of God's Holiness becomes the governing part of man when Christ and personal forgiveness are received.
• When forgiveness is found...flesh no longer rules the physical body. God's Spirit is greater

Life in the Spirit is experienced by a believer in Christ - when the inner part of man is redeemed and washed by the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb. The Word of God "separates" the unsaved soul and spirit from the body and morally cleanses and changes such. Salvation by the Spirit of God thus "overcomes" the flesh. This is the reason why - life in the Spirit is greater than life in the flesh. A spirit led man keeps his eyes on Christ. A spirit led man doesn't "ever seek" but has "found" Christ. Spirit life is in harmony with Bible Truth. Experienced! Not altered by human opinion. Flesh gravitates to the ways of man. Spirit life depends on the ways of God. Not equal...God's Spirit is greater than the flesh! Why? Because God is God. He has power over human make-up.

God's Word has power to separate a sinner from sin. Why? Right is given from above. Right overcomes wrong. For the first time in life a believer in Christ has "power to do right" because the Spirit of Christ came in. Jesus takes over the child of God. The Spirit rules that life. Prove those things acceptable to God. The flesh is subject to the Spirit of God. God's Spirit of holiness is greater than the flesh. Why? The same Spirit of Holiness that rules a child of God is the same Spirit of Holiness that raised Christ from the dead.

 Romans 1:4... And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Forsaking sin, the attitude of a believer

Christ commanded His disciples to go into "all" the world and preach the Gospel because He knew the power and the effect the Gospel message would have on the unbelieving world. Saint Luke stated the words of Christ in the 24th chapter that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name. Both repentance and remission of sins are received in the heart of man through the effect of the truth of the Gospel message upon the unregenerate heart. What does the Gospel message have to do with the unregenerate man forsaking sin? How does the Gospel message effect the unbelieving world? These questions arise.

 As the Gospel message is ministered to the hearts of men the Holy Spirit has an effect on the unbeliever that "sways" mans thinking and attitude. The unbeliever sees himself in light of the Spiritual presence of the person of Christ. Sin is revealed as the goodness of God "leads" an unregenerate man to repentance or change of mind. This leading, this spiritual effect, and this power that flows from the truth of the Gospel message "stirs" the conscience of the unregenerate soul. It stirs him enough to give him the attitude to "turn away from sin". It stirs him enough to give him the attitude to quit sinning. It sways him enough to give him the attitude to "forsake sin and dirty living". This is the work of the Holy Spirit that breaks the will of fallen man and turns him away from the desire to live unholy in the eyes of God. Forsaking sin is the attitude of an unregenerate man in repentance. Forsaking sin is a natural desire of an unregenerate man who weighs out the things he did in the past...and puts them in light of the truth about Christ that comes from the hearing the Gospel message. Yes my brothers and sisters forsaking sin is the attitude of the unbelieving soul, even before God's Grace comes in to remit and forgive man from all past sins.

Forsaking sin comes from the act of repentance. Forsaking sin is a desire to quit wrongdoing because of enlightenment that Christ places upon the unbelieving soul. The attitude of forsaking sin is the right attitude to receive the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation. The power of the Gospel, the power of God's Grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit that flows from Calvary is the power that breaks, sways, and changes the unbelieving heart...to a place of repentance. When the power of Calvary is "trusted" completely by a man that repents and forsakes sin... a miracle takes place. The miracle is the remission of sins that man receives "when" he personally trusts Christs redemptive work on the cross at Calvary. Through this man (Christ) is preached the forgiveness of sins. Reconciliation is made for the lost soul in Heaven. God speaks pardon to man who repented with the desire to forsake sin. This man can believe and trust Christ because the eyes of his understanding have been enlightened. Christ is revealed and accepted. Sin has been forsaken. The attitude of forsaking sin took place before the new birth in repentance. Now the repentant heart can accept and trust Christ for personal forgiveness. All sins are remitted. A power from above has showed the man who forsook sin a new life and a new walk. Grace brings a new experience of righteousness and right living. Not weaving in and out of wrongful living. Even before the saving Grace came in mans attitude was to forsake sin. After Grace came in the regenerated man had power to live holy and to do right. He not only forsakes sin in repentance but has a God given desire to live holy and right in the eyes of God.

Don't let man deceive you God's Grace is enough to live holy. Repentance and godly sorrow is enough to usher in the power that a believer needs to be the person they ought to be. Isn't that beautiful? Don't be confused sin is forsaken in repentance. Holiness of heart is found in Salvation. Glory! Believing in and trusting in Christ for personal forgiveness is also a renunciation of sin. Why? Belief allows the Holy Spirit to give you a desire to quit sin. When the Holy Spirit takes you over you will quit your meanness completely. Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. You are delivered from sin and washed in the Blood. You don't have to forsake sin anymore. You did that when you repented. Now by the Grace of God, you just cease from sinful living. You become "proof" our Savior lives. He's alive in you! Glory! You're saved! Your heart is clean! No more dirty living!

Luke 24:44-47...And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,

What the Gospel really is…

The Gospel is what the Old Testament Scriptures and Prophets said about Christ…1 Cor. 15:1-4

The Gospel reveals the person, power, and presence of Christ…Romans 16:25,26

The Gospel is the power of God that generates Salvation in the human soul…Romans 1:16

Jesus opened the Scriptures and preached the first Gospel sermon to His disciples…Luke 24:44-49

Jesus commanded the Gospel to be preached in all nations upon the Earth…Mark 16:15, 16, Mat. 28:19-21

The Gospel is what birthed the Church, the body of Christ…Acts 20:28

The Gospel is what brings forgiveness of sins to the human soul…Acts 13:38, Eph. 1:7

The Gospel is the instrument God uses to bring Saving Grace into the human soul…Titus 2:11-14

The Gospel is what brings the Holy Spirit into the human soul…Eph. 1:13

Can a person know every sin is forgiven?

Yes. Forgiveness is found and experienced.

How does one find personal forgiveness? By trusting the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

Trusting Christ brings forgiveness from all past sins. Forgiveness from God gives man a clean conscience. Forgiveness from God gives man a pardon from all past sinful conduct. Forgiveness from God is known and realized by the believer.

Forgiveness is an act of God’s Mercy given to a believer in Christ. Forgiveness is not granted to you just because you asked. Forgiveness is granted to you because you trusted what Christ did for you personally. God forgives and Saves people when they trust what a Savior did on the cross at Calvary.

A saved man “knows” every sin is forgiven in God’s Mercy. A forgiven man is a man blessed man because the burden and weight of sin is lifted from the soul. The sense of Eternal condemnation is removed from the conscience and overtaken by peace, joy, and righteousness. The conscience is freed from guilt caused from the past life of sin. Forgiveness is the beginning of a new life and holy life found in Christ. Forgiveness is the channel for God’s Holy Spirit to come in and replace sinful living. The slate is wiped clean. A pardon has been granted. You know where you stand. Forgiven in the eyes of God.

Through Christ is preached the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness from the person of Christ is preached and ministered to the lost world. God through the power of the Gospel message has a way of calling men sinful men to forgiveness and pardon. The Gospel is so powerful that is can lead sinful men to repentance. It can take sinful men to the turning point of brokenness. The Gospel is so powerful that it can show sinful men the way out of misery and destruction. The Gospel reveals Christ in power and Glory.

The way out of sin and guilt is to experience personal forgiveness from Christ. The way out of sin and guilt is to know that Christ took away and forgave me for every sin I ever committed in the past. Christ gave me a chance to live right and to do right! I’m forgiven! I’m saved! Now the power of Salvation is given to me to prove it!

Forgiveness changes your attitude about sin. Forgiveness constantly shows me what I used to be. Forgiveness shows me what I am today in light of a Savior. I’m not a sinner anymore. I’m forgiven. I’m a child of the most high God. I’ve been born again! God didn’t forgive me because I’m me. God forgave me because of His Son who suffered, and bled, and died for me personally. Thank You Jesus!

Forgiveness is not blanket coverage for Salvation. Forgiveness is not an excuse to continue in sin. Forgiveness is something I received from God because I accepted and trusted what Christ did for me personally. What Christ did for me personally allows me to have God’s Mercy and pardon today. Forgiveness isn’t automatic coverage if I commit another sin in the future. Forgiveness is God’s way of showing me the right way not the wrong way. Forgiveness should never be taken for granted or as an excuse to sin. Forgiveness should never be taken lightly. God gives a forgiven man a clean heart and power to do right.

You can deviate from God-given forgiveness. Then you are unforgiven. The state of unforgiveness means you are in sin with need of forgiveness. An unforgiven man is without mercy and future hope. The Bible says, “That in Christ we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins”. Without forgiveness from sin there is no redemption.

Often people get into the repetitive and dangerous mode of sinning and then asking for forgiveness, over, and over, and over. This worldly way of thinking deducts from the actual meaning of what forgiveness found in Christ really is. Forgiveness found in Christ is known and experienced through belief and trusting in Christ for redemption. Not just asking. In forgiveness from sin a realization of right-standing with God is made known to the soul. Not because you asked to be forgiven but because you trusted Christ for personal forgiveness. Big difference. Asking for forgiveness is because of “you”. Trusting Christ for personal forgiveness is because of “God”. Forgiveness from God comes to humanity because of Christ…because of a Savior…because of God’s love for fallen man.

Forgiveness is granted to a believer in Christ as a result of God’s Mercy. When God’s mercy touches the heart of man a realization of the truth is found. Only the death of Savior can offer the blessing of forgiveness from sin to the human soul. There is no other way to find forgiveness. There is no other religion in the world that can make forgiveness known in the heart of man. Only through the person of Christ can forgiveness be found, experienced, and made known within the human soul.

Colossians 1:13-14…Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:38-39…Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Note: God has blessed this preacher/writer for over 25 years in the name of Jesus. It gives me joy to share and publicize these words for the cause of Christ. I preach the same messages I write; and, I write the same messages I preach. God Bless you all. With love…

What takes place when a sinner’s heart is cleansed from sin?

The old hymnal I love very much asks the question? What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Rick Roehm asks the question, “What takes place when a sinner’s heart is cleansed from sin?”

The unholy heart is made holy as God’s Justification takes place. The new nature is given to the believer in Christ because of regeneration of the Spirit. God takes man out of the world and “baptizes” him into the body and person of Christ. By one Spirit we are all baptized into one body. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of sins…

Many things take place when a sinner is made into a child of God. Sin is washed away. The heart of man is cleansed. The Spirit’s baptism “puts the repented sinner into Christ”. A miracle takes place when every sin committed in the past life is forgiven. The dirty heart of fallen man is made clean. The sin stains are washed away as a result of suffering and shed blood of Christ. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Or…There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb. Or, He sought me, and he bought me with His redeeming Blood.

The cleansing power of the cross flows into man’s heart and life. Baptism takes place as God immerses the beleiver into Christ. This baptism is performed by the Spirit of God. Forgiveness is found and the conscience is freed from the guilt of sin. Many things take place in the heart of man according to the power of God’s Grace.

The heart is made clean. Man is “placed into” (baptized)into right-standing with God. It’s soul cleansing that comes from above. Born of the Spirit washed in His blood. Many things take place in redemption. I write of these things to clarify words in the Bible such as redemption, Salvation, being cleansed, the Spirit’s baptism, remission of sins, forgiveness, Justification, Sanctification, etc.

Honored to share with you what God has shared with me. Love using the lyrics to the old hymnals also. Those songs were scripturally sound. Based on the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb. This Blog also illustrates what takes place when a sinner repents, believes, and finds redemption in the human soul. God puts man into Christ. Man is baptized by the Spirit into the holiness and purity of Christ. If any man gets into Christ he is a new creation. We are His workmanship “created” in Christ Jesus. Much happened! Much took place! The sinner becomes a saint of God! Glory!

Has Jesus became real to you?

The reality of Jesus is how Jesus morally changes the believing heart. Man's initial change first begins when forgiveness is found through the power of God's Grace. Forgiveness is an experience that flows from Calvary into the believing heart. The reality of forgiveness is a conscience freed from the guilt of sin. Only the Grace of God can free the human conscience from the guilt of sin. This is the "real" blessing of God's Grace found through and acceptance of Christ as Saviour and Redeemer. It's a blessing that offers true contentment and peace to the human soul that can be found from no other source within humanity. It's a blessing that's only found when Jesus becomes real to you. You can know every sin has been forgiven when Jesus becomes real in your heart and life. Jesus has power to cleanse the heart of fallen man from sin. Jesus is real as His merciful hand reaches out to humanity. Has Jesus became real to you? Make sure He has. You can know every sin is forgiven. You can know you are in rightstanding with God at all times. All it takes is a clean heart that is cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Has Jesus became real to you?

There is no process in becoming a child of God...you either have salvation of the soul or your soul is lost

The mindset today is to achieve Christ by "works". These works I speak of are "religious works". These religious works are the activity of man in effort to obtain a better standing with God by his own religious actions, works, or practices. These religious activities of man are very dangerous and even cause some to miss the activity and truth about God's Divine Grace in the Church the body of Christ. God's Divine Grace is not a process "worked out" by men that call themselves Christians. A believer in Christ has a new and better life of clean living in an ungodly world because he's been changed by Divine Grace that is given through faith alone in the person of Christ. A believer in Christ is a sinful man that has been "cleansed" from a heart of disobedience and sinful conduct...through trust alone in what Christ did for him personally at Calvary.

Forgiveness of sins is granted to the penitent not because of human sorrow only. Forgiveness of sins is granted because of the fact that Christ is a Savior. When man believes and trusts in Christ, trusts in Christ at Calvary, and trusts in Christ's power from the Throneroom forgiveness is granted to the heart of man and offers Salvation to the human soul. Forgiveness is granted to the human soul because man "trusts and believes" in Christ crucified... for personal forgiveness. Christ's shed blood and the suffering of a Saviour are man's only grounds for personal forgiveness.

Acts 13:38-39... Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him (Christ) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

There is no process for man to do any religious act... to receive forgiveness for all the past sins that were committed. There is no process to become more spiritual with God by religious works, actions, or practices. The Christian life is not a process to get more spiritual or to be gradually be delivered from sin. Studying God's Word does not make you more spiritual. Spirituality does not even come through praise and worship. People should praise and worship Christ "because" they're delivered from sin "not to be delivered from sin. Sin is not essential in the heart of a believer in Christ.

Recognizing Christ is the key to everyday Christian living. Realizing Christ as a personal Saviour is essential to the better life of holiness. Realizing who Christ is and what He did for you personally allows the conscience to be cleared from all sins of the past. Realizing who Christ is allows Christ to govern your heart and life every day of your existence on planet earth. Recognizing Christ is not a process, it comes through your personal belief and trust in Him. Realizing where you stand daily in Christ shows your subjection to a Saviour that lives. Behaving yourself as a child of God "proves" that a Saviour lives and actually changes the heart of a sinful man. Becoming a child of God is not a process of religious works but the activity of God's Divine Grace in the heart and life of a believer in Christ.

Human works and man's religious activities are stinch to the nostrils of God! Why? Human works cause men to miss the work of Christ from Calvary and from the Throneroom...now in the present tense. Religion is man's attempt to reach Christ. Christianity is where Christ is found through belief and trust. Religion is a human process. Christianity is a human experience found through faith and belief in the person of Christ. Christ is the head of the body...not you! Christ governs your heart and life because He's God. Christ purchased the Church with his own Blood. It's what Christ did at Calvary that gives you and I personal forgiveness not our own sorrow or our own works.

Titus 3:5-7...Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

When we get into the mode of part time belief...sinning religion...asking for forgiveness... and committing sin over and over again...the Bible calls this "worldly sorrow" that only brings death.

2 Cor 7:10... For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Godly sorrow bringeth Salvation to the human soul. Why? Salvation is the work of God's Divine that gets man in the Spirit...that gives man the new birth, and that gives man a desire to quit practicing sin. What I'm saying is, "Sin is not essential in the heart and life of a child of God". Divine Grace forgives man of all past sins and rids man of sinful conduct in the present tense. A child of God's desire therefore is to "forsake" sin and sinful conduct. Divine Grace keeps the Holy Spirit present in the life of a believer in Christ. A believer in Christ is just as subject and conscious to Christ's Holy presence in the workplace as he is in the local Church. No process to get into Christ and no process to get into the Spirit. This mindset of the gradual process to reach or achieve Christ through religious works is a very dangerous deception that's rampant today in the mainstream.

I like Peter's word when the people that crucified the Lord of Glory were stirred so much by the Holy Ghost they asked, " What shall we do?" Peter responded, Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of sins.

Acts 2:37-38...Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins

Sins are remitted when sinful men get into Christ! Glory to Christ! The Gospel message leads sinful men to repentance! The Gospel leads sinful men to Christ and forgiveness that only comes from a Saviour's love. The Gospel message causes men to turn from sin and disobedience. they repent, believe, and trust in Christ! The Gospel is why Rick Roehm writes these words. God Bless you all! May the Grace of God become "real" to your hearts...because God's Grace....

Titus 2:11-12...that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

All men do not "know" God

Many men make claim they know God...but the Bible say's no man can "know" God unless he has the Spirit of God. Natural men (unsaved men) don't have the Spirit of God. Therefore they do not "know" God. The sinner does not know God because he does not have the Spirit of God. A sinful man does not trust Christ's death on the cross for forgiveness of personal sins.

1 Cor 2:11-14... For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,...even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God

...But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,

Why some people reject the truth...

A child of God has the witness of the Spirit in his heart. The witness of the Spirit testifies Christ and truth to the human soul. All this comes from a "Glimpse of Calvary"...which comes through mans belief in what the Prophets said about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. After a sinful man's repentance...believing allows Christ to come into the character and make-up of the human soul. This conversion is "not" a process...it's an instantaneous experience of God's Salvation by Grace. It's the Christian experience of the new birth! That's why James said in ...

James 1:21...Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Many things happen in belief. First man understands the things concerning Christ's redemptive work on the cross for his own personal forgiveness for sins. Secondly, a renunciation of sin and disobedience to God becomes the attitude of this believer's heart. Belief obligates man to God in Christ. Forsaking sin is a part of a believer's obligation to God.

Knowledge of the Bible brings even more responsibility to the believer. You show me a man that's truly saved and I'll show you a man in agreement with the truth of the Bible. You show me a man who rejects Salvation of the human soul and I'll show you a man who rejects the truth about what's written in the Bible. Bible truth isn't hard for a child of God to accept...but it is hard for a sinful man to accept. Why? Belief requires forsaking sin. This allows the power of God's Grace to save (convert) the human soul... This conversion and Christian experience of Salvation is automatically in agreement with the truth of the Holy Scriptures.

Again, I quote...

James 1:21...Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.