LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

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05 JUSTIFICATION NOT A HALF WAY WORK

Opponents of the “second blessing” argue that in order to make place for a second experience the holiness people are obligated to depreciate the work of justification.

There is no occasion to minimize justification, and the facts are, no one more fully appreciates the work of justification than sanctified people. Instead of saying that justification is but a half-way work, they believe that justification comprehends at least ten perfect works, viz.:

1. Conviction. The Holy Spirit alone can fully awaken and convict the world “of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.” Genuine Holy Ghost conviction must precede repentance; conviction for sin is within itself a perfect work.

2. Surrender. There must be a complete yielding—an unconditional surrender to God. God will never save a man who insists on dictating terms to Him. The mental reservation of one sin, or hesitation to comply with one condition, will mean darkness, condemnation and loss of the soul. The surrender must be complete and entire. (All of the life in complete abject surrender).

3. Repentance. Repentance toward God is indispensable to Bible salvation. The lack of genuine repentance accounts for much of the superficiality of religion in these days. Repentance comprehends at least five distinct things:

● a consciousness of sin and guilt

● a deep heart sorrow for sin

● the confession of sin

● restitution

● the abandonment of sin.

Repentance is within itself a perfect work.

4. Pardon. When there is genuine repentance God grants a full and free pardon. Not half our sins, but every sin ever committed is fully pardoned, never to be remembered against us. This takes place in the thought of God, and is something done for us. The pardon of sins is a perfect work within itself.

5. Regeneration. The quickening of the soul into newness of life; the impartation of divine, spiritual and eternal life. The soul regenerated by the Holy Spirit is not made partially alive, but fully alive, so that it can he said, “We know that we have passed from death unto life.”

6. Washing of Regeneration. Sin defiles and pollutes. Hence men not only need pardon, but washing and cleansing from this acquired pollution from their sins. This is termed “the washing of regeneration,” and includes that work of the Spirit in which He did “purge your conscience from dead works.” This, too, is a gracious and complete work.

7. Adoption. The person fully pardoned is now adopted into the family of God; not partially adopted, but fully adopted, and “the Spirit of adoption” given in his heart, whereby he cries, “Abba, Father.” His name is written in heaven, and he becomes a son of God—an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. Adoption is within itself another perfect work.

8. Witness of the Spirit. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” When the soul finds acceptance with God there is the divine attestation—the witness of the Spirit to the inner consciousness, giving knowledge and assurance, so there can be no doubt or uncertainty about our acceptance with God; a telegram from the skies, a certificate signed in heaven—the voice of God in the soul, bringing confidence, gladness and assurance forever. These latter five usually occur simultaneously.

9. Power. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” This is power to resist temptation and do the will of God. The second-blessing people are about the only people who really believe and teach that “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” They insist that justification will save men from sinning; in so saying they magnify the work of justification, while they who insist on a “sinning religion” greatly minimize justification. A justification that saves from sinning is a perfect work.

10. Faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” The exercise of a perfect faith, appropriating and resting upon the word of God, is one of the conditions of light and life in the soul. “He that believeth not shall be damned.” “Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

All persons truly justified have experienced these ten points. But all this has to do with sins committed, and is only preparatory to sanctification. Sanctification deals with altogether a different problem, namely, inherited sin—the crucifixion of “our old man.” Justification is the foundation upon which rests the superstructure of sanctification. Justification is an excellent experience, but sanctification is a “more excellent experience.”