1053. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 4)

A while back, we asked our listeners to comment on something that completely changed for them as they slipped from the roots of religious legalism into the grace of the gospel.

This week includes the topics of:

- The Holy Spirit does not convict believers of sin, but unbelievers.
- Knowing that not all Bible verses are what they appear and are often taken out of context.
- "Daily disciplines" or routines are not required to get closer to God. Jesus has become a new and living way for us.
- Dispensationalism.
- Holiness and sanctification are gifts that came through Jesus and not something unattainable that we progressively or gradually work at to become more righteous or acceptable to God.
- Overcoming the painful experience of self-righteous judgement by getting kicked out of church for what the hierarchy viewed as failing their so-called moral code (dancing).




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1052. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 3)

A few weeks ago, we asked our listeners to respond with comments to this:

Name something that completely changed things for you when coming from a traditional or legalistic-based religious mindset compared to a greater knowledge of the gospel of grace. For those who have experienced such a journey, the differences are nothing short of amazing (and exciting). There is a good chance you have had similar experiences you'll find very relatable.

This week includes the topics of:

- Thinking a believer in Christ can forfeit their salvation.
- The Holy Spirit convicts us (believers) of sin.
-Religious accusations of idol worship motivated by guilt.
- God's love didn't really bring any change to you unless you were wholeheartedly committed to church ministry.
- Misunderstanding our identity inherited in Christ ... instead of working or doing something to attain what God has already gifted.




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

949. Salvation as a Gift - But What About Sanctification?

Even many who are stuck in certain degrees of legalism might agree with our recent discussions about salvation being offered as a gift by grace through faith. But they can't resist the temptation to somehow make works a part of the equation. One way of doing this is to suggest salvation is free and instantaneous (then listen for the "but"), BUT sanctification is a gradual process that we participate in - meaning our behavior and works. Before you know it, well-meaning believers are taking credit for their "sanctification" and thereby are receiving more blessings as they boast about themselves.

It may sound correct to the religious mindset, but let's take a look at how God has already gifted us with sanctification through Jesus Christ, just as He did for salvation. We'll land in a place where our boasting is in Jesus and what He provided for us that we could not do for ourselves.



   
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913. How Works Fit Into the Message of Grace

The majority of us who chose to believe in Jesus were encouraged within religious circles to work at making ourselves better, more holy, more righteous, more sanctified ... and the list goes on. We've gotten it backwards with that approach. The better way is to grow in the knowledge of God with the understanding that He has already declared us to be all of these things and more.

So instead of trying to work at becoming what we think we are not, we realize God has already equipped the believer in Christ with all things that pertain to life and godliness. This is our starting point as we run this race and it's called the finish line. Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus will completely change our perspective and motivation in many ways—including works.



   
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854. Jesus Took a Seat - Already Forgiven and Sanctified

Within the first covenant, the Jewish priests offered sacrifices daily for the sins of the people and for their own sins. The job was never complete, sins were still on record since the blood of bulls and goats couldn’t take them away, so the priests kept standing. Enter Jesus … who offered one sacrifice for sin with His own blood, which would bring forgiveness of sins for all time (eternal redemption), plus perfection and sanctification through the one offering.

In other words, sanctification is not something we progressively work at—it’s a gift which we’ve inherited by the will of God. All of this resulted in a New Covenant—a new and living way where God declared, “I will remember their sins no more.”

During this episode we mentioned how we've previously talked about how sanctification is not progressive, and is not something we do, but rather is instantaneous and permanent, and is something that Christ has done. Here are a couple of past episodes in which we discussed this:

703. Born Identity: You Are Sanctified
752. Hebrews 10: Forgiven and Sanctified (Jesus Sat Down)

   
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821. "What Can I Do to Ensure I’m Right With God?"

When religionists insist on a balance between law and grace—or works and faith—it often leaves people in a state of uncertainty. When not very familiar with the accomplishments of the cross of Jesus, they may try putting forth some type of effort to ensure they are in right standing with God… even to make sure they “maintain” their salvation. It becomes more about doing instead of being.

The question we need to ask is … exactly what work or works can people do to ensure they are in an acceptable position with God? What act can we possibly perform to ensure we’re saved, forgiven, accepted, blessed and perfectly loved? Our honest answer should be that we can add nothing to the finished work and shed blood of Jesus. He “did” for us what we can never “do” for ourselves.

   
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806. The 800 Club: Looking Back – Sanctification - It Is Finished

Since our 800th program, we’ve been looking back at some of our most essential conversations when it comes to being established in the knowledge of the truth. One piece of good news that seems to elude religious folks is that our sanctification is not a work in progress, but was completed by Jesus Christ and gifted to us as a new creation in Him. Works-based religion yearns to try and make the gospel about what we do, thereby putting us in the spotlight instead of where it belongs—on the finished work of Jesus. They will dress it up to appear humble enough by saying salvation is an instant gift, but sanctification is a gradual process which we get to participate in through self-improvement while establishing some sort of moral high ground.

God makes it clear there is no boasting when it comes to our sanctification because it’s something Jesus already took care of for us, leaving no doubt that we’ve already been declared holy and set apart. Israel wasn’t able to achieve this by works and commandments … and we can’t either. We can rest from that effort and believe Jesus did enough to complete the job. Being sanctified isn’t something we’re trying to become, it’s who we are and part of our new identity in Him.

   
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752. Hebrews 10: Forgiven and Sanctified (Jesus Sat Down)

When the commandments which came through Moses were still in effect during the first covenant, every priest under the law stood daily while offering the same sacrifices over and over which could never take away sins. The only time a priest would be allowed to sit is if there were no further forgiveness needed for sin … of course, that never happened.

But Jesus offered one (1) sacrifice for sins resulting in forgiveness … and not just up until that moment … but all sins for all time. Afterwards, we find His offering was more than enough as our new High Priest sat down at the right hand of God. The job was truly complete, and the work of forgiveness was finished, once for all. It also gifted us with instant sanctification and perfection—something the law could never do, no matter how hard one tried to keep it.



   
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703. Born Identity: You Are Sanctified

Hollow religious teaching will declare you’re saved by grace (justified), but being sanctified is a gradual, progressive, life-long process which must work at in order to become more set apart before they reach the finish line . It’s time to change our thinking. Consider that through the cross God has already gifted you with sanctification and this is the starting line. Whew! It’s the ultimate head-start, and now you can run from here.



   
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701. Born Identity: You Have Been Perfected

It’s been said that “nobody is perfect.” While that may be true from a behavioral perspective, it shouldn’t be confused with who God has already made us to be as believers in Jesus Christ. You have been perfected, not by how well you perform or by the things you do, but by what Jesus did on our behalf. Perfection was a necessary requirement, but we will never achieve this status based upon our works and behavior. While behavior improvement can gradually take place in our lives and result in good and positive results - it has nothing to do with having already been perfected in Him. Growing in our understanding that Jesus has already made us inwardly complete will likely result in beneficial, outward changes with what we do. But we should avoid getting this backwards or it will lead to frustration, guilt and fear. God demanded perfection, not progress. Therefore, He provided a Substitute, not a goal.

We borrowed the last part above from our friends at The Grace Cafe Podcast, and we mentioned them on this podcast. We recommend that you give them a listen!



   
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