Invitation, Acceptance, and a New Life in Christ

The continual invitation extended by God toward the human family never ceases to exist in the life of a natural man. God reaches toward the human soul through conscience, creation, and the Gospel message.

• John 6:44-45…No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Because of natural man’s callous and hardened state of being, neither conscience nor creation has the much needed convicting effect of a preached Gospel sermon.

• 1 Cor 2:14…But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
• Eph 2:3…Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath,

When the person and presence of Christ are revealed through Gospel preaching, the Holy Spirit’s conviction and reproof penetrate into the soul of man by stirring the conscience, exposing sin, or showing man what he really is in the presence of Christ. God’s invitation has always been extended to humanity, but it’s the ministration of the Holy Spirit that leads man to acceptance of Christ and cleansing of the soul.

Belief in the truth or exercising faith in Christ is acceptance of God’s invitation into the spiritual family.

• John 1:12…But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

Through acceptance man forsakes sin as he is drawn toward God in the presence of Christ. When sin is forsaken, God’s power of Divine Grace removes the heaviness of guilt from all the past life. At this point of man’s acceptance through the justification of God, a new birth takes place. A natural man then becomes a new creature in Christ through deliverance from sin and is translated into the marvelous kingdom of God where a new Christian life begins.

• 1 Peter 2:9…ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
• Col 1:13…Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Repentance, forsaking sin, and acceptance of Christ are all things man does when the heart is stirred. Forgiveness of sins, pardon, and union with the Holy Spirit are things God does in the heart of man that accepts God’s glorious invitation into the spiritual body. Yes, this man by the power of God is passed from death and separation from God, into an abundant life of holiness and blessed living. This abundant life is a Christ centered life, where old things are passed away…and all things are become new.

• John 5:24…Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
• 2 Cor 5:17…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Distinction between Justification and Sanctification

Justification deals with “the sinner”; Sanctification deals with “the believer”

Justification · When you repent · saved from the transgression · freed from breaking the law · sins forgiven · the new birth · puts off the old man · empties out · instantaneous · upon · double minded · wants to be controlled · power from redemption · being sealed with the Spirit · work begun · baptism into Christ · God forgives what you do

Sanctification · When you die to what you are · severed from the carnal life · removes the adamic nature · sin nature destroyed · baptized with the Holy Ghost · puts on the new man · fills up · instantaneous · Within · Single minded · controlled · the work of the Holy Spirit · being filled with the Spirit · work complete · Christ baptizing with Spirit · God destroys what you are

Hubert Lindsey showed me this in 1990...

Justification (The sinners pardon from God “because” of Christ)

Justification is a declaration from God that speaks pardon to the human soul. Justification is a declarative act of God from Heaven. The basis of God’s Justification is the precious blood of Christ who was beaten in a Roman dungeon and hung on the cross to die as a public spectacle. His suffering began after He was treated like a criminal and placed on trial by the Jews who hated him without a cause. By the Romans He was whipped and scourged on two occasions. He was sentenced to death by crucifixion where He died an agonizing death. His body was placed in a tomb but miraculously He triumphed over death and rose from the grave! In His glorified body He walked among men for a short time. Later, He was exalted to Heaven where He now makes His abode for us! From Heaven Christ now speaks to the heart of man. From Heaven Justification speaks to any man who acknowledges the price that Jesus paid when He shed His precious blood. Justification for man was the reason God set forth Christ to be a propitiation for us.

· Rom 3:24-26… Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Justification lets man know he’s free from sin and guilt because of what Christ did. Justification lets the sinner know he’s free of guilt from all past sins. Man is declared innocent by God through Justification. How? Christ shed His blood at Calvary but also resurrected from the grave. Christ from Heaven now testifies to the heart of man, “You’re Free”. Justification frees the human conscience from the guilt of sin because of the power of a resurrected Savior! Christ tasted death for every man by the Grace of God. This same Grace takes away the guilt of sin from the human conscience! How? Justification from Heaven speaks innocence to the heart of man! Justification tells the conscience of believer he’s not guilty. Justification tells the sinner he’s declared righteous. Why? Christ was the Just One who suffered and rose from the grave to redeem people like you and me. Abel’s shed blood spoke, “Guilt”. Jesus’ shed blood speaks, “Innocence”. From the presence of Jesus our High Priest who sprinkled His blood in the Holy of Holies, God’s Justification now speaks to the heart of man from Heaven saying, “You’re Pardoned”.

· Heb 12:24-25…And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Justification in a judicial sense lets a criminal know he’s been freed of all charges. Justification in a Christian sense lets a sinner know he’s forgiven and free from all guilt. Christ suffered and died for every sinner personally. Christ did it for me…He’ll do it for you! God declares the truth of Calvary to every human soul that receives Him! Through belief in the person of Christ both forgiveness of sins and removal of guilt from the human conscience are ministered to man through God’s Justification.

· 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…

Justification brings peace and contentment to the heart of man. A man without Justification through Christ is a man without inner peace (Romans 3:16, 17). Justification gives man peace with himself through the new nature. Justification gives man peace with all men, but most of all Justification gives man …peace with God.

· Rom 5:1…Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Justification through Divine Grace is given to man “when” he believes. Justification is granted to a man who trust’s in Christ’s redemptive work for the forgiveness of sins. Justification grants innocence and righteousness to the heart of man who by faith accepts the fact that Christ did it all for him. The reason the Bible teaches, “The just shall live by faith” is because a just man is obedient to Christ (in the present tense). A believer in Christ has a responsibility of faithfulness to Christ because Justification is an every minute, every hour, accountability to God. A believer that trusts Christ’s death on the cross for personal forgiveness is obligated to remain Justified. The reason a believer is obligated to Christ is because he knows he’s been pardoned from all past sins. A believer knows by the Spirit’s Holy presence in his life he’s obligated to live a holy life. Justification by faith is not to be taken lightly by the believer.

What is a "just man" ?

Did you know that Noah was a "just man"?

Did you know that Jesus' adopted father Joseph was a "just man"?

Cornelius, the Centurion, was a "just man" and devout before God.

The Bible teaches that the "just shall live by faith". So what is Justification? How does God "justify" a man? Did you know that Justification is an audible declaration made by God? Justification speaks "Pardon" to the human soul. Why? Because of man's faith in God...especially things that pertain to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.

Isa 53:11...by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Just men of old looked forward to God's Promises made about Christ, the son of God according to the flesh. Prophecies were given about the seed of a woman. Prophecies were given about "thy seed" which was Christ. Men of old had "hope" for the coming Messiah that was promised to them by God. Faith in such allowed them to be made "just" through God's Divine favor. God's Divine favor was His hand extended to men of faith. God spoke! God ministered! God promised? God's Word was recorded by writers! God speaks pardon to the human soul. Pardon allows men to be made righteous as a result of God's Divine favor. Divine favor is the mighty hand of God enxtended of "all" men of faith.

Isa 53:11...by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Just men of the New Testament see Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Christ. Just men of Grace know Christ through the Holy Spirit's presence! God speaks pardon to the human soul through the work of Christ from the Throneroom. God's witness speaks pardon because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for you and I. The precious blood of Christ speaks pardon, pardon, pardon!

Heb 12:24...And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Biblical Questions answered...at this Blog!

Our desire at the Churches on Trial is to teach the Bible the way its written. No Spiritualization! Not out of context! Rightly Divided! Rightly taught! We teach the distinction between Law and Grace. We teach the Kingdom message in its proper place! We don't mix up the Old and New Testament and run it all together! We do not teach a spiritual Israel - everything is literal!

Our intent at the Churches on Trial is to prepare people for the work of the ministry...by teaching the holy heart and holy life. Why Holiness? Holiness allows God to work through that vessel. Since the Early Church Revivals break out where Sanctification and holiness is taught! We teach Sanctification from the Bible...because the Spirit testifies sanctification to the heart and soul!

Do you have a question about the Bible? Get it answered at the Churches on Trial! This writer updates the content...often! Hubert Lindsey's life and ministry is being published here.

The purpose of this Blog...The Churches on Trial...to give back what Christ has given us.

God Bless!

Revived! Churches in Trial...7/5/87 pt.2 (audio) Hubert T. Lindsey

This recording particularly deals with the subjects of Interacial Marriage, Water Baptism..how? Why? When? and much, much more. Subjects like being born of Water are clairified...John 3:3, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-6 ...Laws of purification through sprinkling water in the Old Testament Numbers 8 and 19, John 3:24,25; why the Laws of purification were to stop in Acts 21.

Very interesting study material...and excellent call in show with Biblical answers given by Brother Hubert Lindsey.

Why the subject of "Sin" is not controversial

The truth about sin is not controversial when "more light" is placed on the Word of God. Many take the following Scripture as an excuse to sin...

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

God doesn't excuse sin! His Word doesn't excuse sin! Only men excuse sin!

John is not talking about sin as something men do! He is not talking about a sinful act or a violation against God...he's talking about the "sin nature" of man.

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

At the time this first Epistle of John was written the pagan religion of Gnosticism was prevalent. Gnosticism rejected the fact that Jesus was a human being and thus missed the redemptive power of Salvation that comes to the heart of a believer because of the atoning work of Christ at Calvary. Gnosticism rejected the fact that man inherited sin from Adam. Gnostic's did not believe man was born with a sinful nature! This is what John was refuting in his first Epistle.

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Any student of God's Word will agree that "Sin" in the Bible is not limited to just a single "act". Sin is also a propensity, or an inherited nature that all men are born with..since the Fall of Adam. Sin can be an action..or something you do; but it can also be your nature...or what you are from birth. A sinful act is a verb or an action taken by man. The sinful nature is a noun or the nature of man's being.

With understanding of what "sin" really is clarification on the subject takes away much controversy that plants the seed of doubt that causes confusion. Clairification on what sin is changes the way we think. The Word of God is "never" controversial if taught in its proper perspective. God doesn't excuse sin! His Word doesn't excuse sin! Only men excuse sin!

I agree... teaching the Bible in this context doesn't get along with all men...but it does get along with God, it does get along with the Spirits directive for men to be holy, and does get along with the truth of the Holy Scriptures.

Sin is taught in the Bible to show men how to get rid of it! God provides man through Christ...with a way to get rid of the acts of sin and from the inherited sinful nature!

Justification (a pardon from God that grants the new birth) deals with the acts of sin that man committed against God.
Sanctification (the cleansing work of the Spirit of God) deals with the sinful nature that man inherited from the Fall.

Both Justification and Sanctification are the "Action of God". The action of God is what "rid's" man from sinful acts and the inherited sinful nature. When the controversy is taken out the Scripture we can see the action of God more clearly. We thus see the power of His Grace. We thus see the complete work of His Holy Spirit. By taking away the controversy from the subject of sin a complete and different light is placed on the necessity of Christ and His living active power from the Throneroom.

The acts of sin can be forgiven through man's confession and the regenerating work of the New Birth.
The nature of sin can only be "destroyed" by the action of God. That action performed by Christ is the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. This final work of the Spirit of God comes upon man "after" man has received the new birth.