                    [Times Square Church Pulpit Series]

                  Delivered From This Present Evil World!

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By David Wilkerson
March 25, 1996
__________

          I believe that justification by faith is the
          foundational truth of Christianity. You can't know true
          rest and peace until you are convinced you can never be
          made right in God's eyes by your own works of
          righteousness.

          If you don't understand the perfect righteousness of
          Christ that is yours by faith, you'll lead a life of
          toil and sweat. You'll spend your days trying to please
          God through some kind of legalistic, hopeless attempt
          to establish your own righteousness. But the truth is,
          you'll never have any righteousness to bring to the
          Lord!

          No doubt you're familiar with the passage in Isaiah
          that says all our righteousness is as filthy rags in
          God's sight. This doesn't mean God despises our good
          works -- not at all. God does want our righteous acts,
          and we should do good works. But if you think your good
          works merit your salvation -- that they allow you to
          stand holy before God -- then they are nothing but
          filthy rags. You are headed for shipwreck!

          Of course, you may feel good because of the good works
          you do. You will probably enjoy a moment of victory
          whenever you resist temptation. And there probably are
          days when you think you have overcome one of your pet
          passions. You feel righteous, that God's favor is on
          you.

          But the next day you fail -- you fall back into a sin
          -- and suddenly you lose all your joy. You think the
          Lord is angry with you. You wonder if you have lost
          your salvation. You think, "I'll never make it" -- and
          you end up hiding from God!

          It is a roller-coaster ride of emotional highs and lows
          -- of up-and-down, hot-and-cold, sin-and-confess and
          sin-and-confess -- according to how good or bad you
          think you have been on any particular day. It's a life
          of misery -- because you're trying to please God in
          your flesh!

          Beloved, no righteousness of the flesh will ever stand
          before God. Even the best people among us -- the most
          moral, godly saints -- have all failed miserably and
          fallen short of God's glory. None of us can ever be
          accepted in the Father's eyes by our good works. We are
          accepted by Him only as we are in Christ!

          "...for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians
          3:28).

          When we turn to Jesus with saving, self-emptying faith,
          we become one in Christ. Being "in Christ" means God
          credits Jesus' righteousness to us. All our sins are
          washed away because of His work, not ours!

          Furthermore, we not only are one in Him, but we are
          complete in Him as well. At the Cross our old man --
          with all its fleshly lusts and desires, all its
          self-righteousness, all its strivings -- was done away
          with in God's eyes. God said, "I am finished with the
          old man. He is nailed to the Cross. From now on, only
          one Man can stand before Me -- a perfectly righteous
          Man -- Jesus Christ. And all who are one in Him are
          forgiven, accepted -- counted as righteous in My
          sight!"

                      -------------------------------

                 Unless You Grasp This Foundational Truth,
                  You Cannot Overcome in These Last Days!

                      -------------------------------

          We are justified, made right in God's sight, by our
          faith in the work Jesus did on the Cross. You see, God
          accepts nothing less than perfect righteousness. And
          there is only one perfect righteousness -- the
          righteousness of Jesus Christ. Only He perfectly
          fulfilled all the demands of the law. Only He satisfied
          the justice of God regarding sin.

          I thank God for all good, clean, moral, faithful people
          in the body of Christ -- folks who don't cheat, lie,
          steal, drink, smoke, use drugs, gamble, ogle
          pornography or gossip. All Christians ought to live
          this way.

          But none of these things will stand on Judgment Day! We
          can't count on any of them to obtain favor or
          acceptance with God. Yet, sadly, millions of people
          think they'll stand before God on the goodness of their
          lives. No! We all have to understand this truth: We can
          be justified only by faith in the work Jesus has done
          on the Cross!

          Having said that, however, let me tell you the rest of
          the story. If you go no further than justification by
          faith -- if your doctrine ends at saying, "I am made
          the righteousness of Christ by faith" -- then you are
          in grave danger!

          Here is where many Christians fail. They say, "I am the
          righteousness of Christ!" No! We are not the
          righteousness of Christ. We have had the righteousness
          of Christ reckoned to us! We have no righteousness in
          ourselves; there is no good thing in us.

          The perfect righteousness of Christ is not infused or
          poured into us. Rather, we are accounted righteous in
          God's eyes because of Jesus. Christ's righteousness is
          credited to our account! God imputes the righteousness
          of Christ to us.

          This righteousness is not something that is in us.
          Rather, it is only in Christ. Yet when God looks at us,
          He sees us only as being in Christ -- as perfectly
          righteous!

                      -------------------------------

                   When Paul First Preached Justification
                    by Faith, He Was Falsely Accused of
                      Preaching a Permissive Gospel!

                      -------------------------------

          As the apostle Paul preached this revelation of being
          justified by the perfect righteousness of Christ, it
          was said he was preaching a permissive lifestyle.
          People pointed out that if we are saved, forgiven,
          accepted and accounted righteous all by faith in
          Christ, then we all should go out and sin more. The
          reasoning was, "God can show forth even more grace --
          and He will get even more glory!"

          Paul cried, "That's slander! It's not what I'm saying
          at all." In later years, the truth he preached became
          further perverted by many who used it as an excuse to
          continue in sin. Out of this came a doctrine called
          Antinomianism. This word means, literally, "anti-law,"
          or, "without restraint." It is a doctrine with no
          restrictions.

          The exponents of Antinomianism value being free in
          Christ. They say, "I have complete liberty in Christ! I
          have no bondage, no guilt, no condemnation -- because
          Jesus paid it all for me. He is my satisfaction with
          God, so that now the Father sees only Jesus when He
          looks at me. I am safe, eternally saved -- so I can do
          as I please!"

          One of the leading theologians of the doctrine of
          Antinomianism was a man named Dr. Crisp. Following are
          some passages from the heart of his doctrine:

          "God's love is not at all dependent upon anything in
          me, so that love will never vary on account of my
          sinning; and for this reason, when I sin, suppose by
          adultery or murder, God ever considers me as one with
          His own Son, who has fulfilled all righteousness for
          me. And as He is 'always well pleased' with Him, so
          with me, for I am 'bone of His bone and flesh of His
          flesh.'

          "There are no lengths, then, I may not run, nor any
          depths I may not fall into, without displeasing Him; as
          David did, who in spite of his repeated backslidings
          did not lose his character as a man after God's heart.
          I may murder with him, I may worship Ashtaroth with
          Solomon, deny Christ with Peter, rob with Onesimus,
          commit incest with the Corinthians, without forfeiting
          either the divine favor or the kingdom of God....

          "Jesus Christ by one offering 'perfected' me -- who am
          'sanctified' in all my sins. In Him I am complete in
          all my iniquities.... I believe God will overrule my
          sin, whether it be adultery, murder, or incest, for His
          glory and my good...."

          The doctrine of Antinomianism sounds abhorent to any
          true believer. Yet Christianity today is rife with
          people living in this very kind of "fool's paradise."
          They claim they are made the righteousness of Christ.
          They boast they are eternally redeemed. Yet they have
          never forsaken their sins!

          They drink, smoke, carouse, sleep around -- and all the
          while they say, "I'm saved, because Jesus is my
          righteousness! It's all settled by faith. So it doesn't
          matter what I do." Yet such people are enslaved to
          their old corruptions. They are still "of the world" --
          living in pleasure, polluted by the spirit of this age,
          blinded and deceived by sin.

          Indeed, many Christians hear grace preaching -- sermons
          on the perfect righteousness of Christ that is
          available by faith -- and yet it gives them a false
          sense of comfort! They continue in their sin, telling
          themselves, "Maybe my sin is not so bad. Maybe Jesus is
          my righteousness to the point that God will overlook
          it!"

          No! Such people have done despite to the grace of God.
          Paul says they have abused the message of grace!

                      -------------------------------

                         There Is Always a Risk in
                       Preaching a Message of Grace!

                      -------------------------------

          The risk in preaching grace is that people will abuse
          it, as they did with Paul -- slanderously reporting
          that the more we sin, the more God's grace can be
          manifested among us. Such a doctrine is dangerous,
          because it omits something vital -- something central
          to the gospel!

          Let me give you the heart of the true grace message: It
          is not a permissive gospel -- but one that teaches
          holiness!

          "For that grace of God 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; looking
          for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
          the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus
          2:11-13).

          According to Paul, we are not walking in grace until we
          have broken from wordly corruptions. Unless we are
          endeavoring through the power of the Holy Spirit to
          lead godly and righteous lives, looking for the Lord's
          coming in our every waking moment, then we do not know
          God's grace!

          The majority of Christians want forgiveness -- but
          that's all. They don't want to be delivered from this
          present world, because they love it. They are attached
          to their sins, not wanting to give up the pleasures of
          this earth. So they cling to a doctrine that says, "I
          can live as I please -- as long as I say, 'I believe!'"

          They don't want to hear about obedience, repentance,
          self- denial, picking up their cross, taking on the
          yoke or burden of Christ. They would rather live in
          this world without restraint, thinking they have a
          Savior who will forgive them in the end.

          They want simply to be excused on Judgment Day -- to
          have all their iniquities overlooked. They expect Jesus
          to open up the pearly gates, put His arms around them
          and lead them down a golden street to their reserved
          mansion -- even though they've never broken from the
          spirit of this world!

          Paul writes, "And be not conformed to this world: but
          be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
          may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
          perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).

                      -------------------------------

                We are to Break from this World Completely
                     and be Conformed to Christ Alone!

                      -------------------------------

          You see, Jesus justifies us through faith for a
          purpose: It is to embolden and empower us to resist the
          devil and overcome the world, in the power of God's
          Spirit. Yes, Jesus died for us so that we could have
          eternal life; that is truly wonderful. But He also died
          so we could enjoy deliverance in and from this present
          evil world!

          "...Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that
          he might deliver us from this present evil world,
          according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians
          1:4).

          "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from
          all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar
          people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).

                      -------------------------------

                       There Is a Complex Theological
                          Problem That Has Divided
                        Christianity for Centuries.

                      -------------------------------

          A centuries-old theological question still rages today.
          That is: "What is God's part in our salvation, and what
          is our part?" It is a question of faith versus works.

          One school of thought, called Calvinism, says Christ
          has done a finished work, so that no further work is
          required. The other camp, called Arminianism, says we
          are justified so that we may do good works through the
          power of the Holy Spirit.

          One camp quotes Galatians, stating, "Paul says the
          gospel is by faith alone, without works." The other
          camp points to James, saying, "James states faith
          without works is dead. We're to give evidence of our
          faith in our actions!"

          In truth, both of these positions are right. There is
          no contradiction between them. Here is what is really
          being said:

          1. Works will not justify or earn salvation for anyone.

          2. Those who are zealous to do good works prove they
          have the kind of faith that justifies.

          These are both wonderful, life-giving, scriptural
          truths about the nature of faith.

          Yet, the fact is, not all faith justifies. Not all
          faith is a faith that saves. Let me explain.

          Since Times Square Church was founded nine years ago,
          thousands have walked down the aisles here, stood at
          the altar, prayed a sinner's prayer and said, "Lord, I
          believe. Save me!" But the majority of them went back
          to their seats and back to their homes unsaved! They
          returned in the same condition in which they came.

          Many Christians say they believe in justification by
          faith. Yet merely saying the words, "I believe," does
          not justify them. After all, the Bible says the devils
          believe and tremble. Such people have not brought to
          the Lord a saving, genuine faith.

          If you were to go into the streets and ask people at
          random, "Do you believe Jesus was the Son of God? that
          He came to this earth to minister? that He was
          crucified and resurrected?", the vast majority of
          people would answer, "Yes -- I believe all of that."
          But they are not saved! Merely giving mental assent to
          those things does not constitute a saving faith. It is
          not a faith that justifies!

          The church of Jesus Christ desperately needs some plain
          talk about faith. We simply are too glib about it. We
          offer faith to people who are not ready for it. We
          present it as if it were a first installment on a new
          car. In doing this, we downgrade faith to something no
          more valuable than a prize in a box of Cracker Jack!

          The church's concept of faith has been corrupted by our
          American culture. People in this country have been
          feeding on a demonic gospel of self-esteem, self-worth,
          self-help. We've been told, "Believe in yourself." Then
          add to that our obsession with "instant everything" --
          instant meals, instant drinks, instant information,
          instant gratification.

          Now, in turn, churches offer a demonic diet of
          self-will and trusting in self. Preachers say, "Just
          give mental assent to God's promises. You'll get
          instant heaven, instant holiness, instant happiness!"

          This has produced a temporary, false faith. People
          today are running to God's altar with no real
          conviction, saying, "Jesus saved me. I believe!" But
          they don't have true faith. What they have is
          presumption!

                      -------------------------------

                       You Cannot Trust in God Until
                      You Quit Trusting in Yourself!

                      -------------------------------

          Paul did not speak of having faith until he had lost
          all confidence in his flesh. He took all that he knew
          -- all his education, self-confidence, abilities,
          doctrines and zeal -- and cast them aside as dung! He
          spoke of faith only after he had said, "I have no
          confidence in my flesh!"

          The same is true for us! We don't have saving faith
          until we come to the end of believing that someone or
          something other than Jesus can save us. Before anyone
          is capable of true faith, he must come to a sense of
          how lost, helpless and utterly hopeless he is.

          You may object, saying, "Almost every time Jesus
          performed a miracle, He told people, 'Only believe!'"
          Yet in each instance He said this to people who had
          come to the end of all hope -- who had lost faith in
          everything else. This includes the father whose son was
          cast into the fire by demons. It also includes Jairus,
          whose twelve-year-old daughter had died. Their faith
          was born out of the knowledge that nothing else in the
          world was of any use. They had committed everything to
          Christ, crying out in faith, "Jesus, You are my only
          hope. If You don't do it, it can't be done!"

          Yet saving, justifying faith involves more than giving
          up all confidence in the flesh. It also involves
          submitting your whole life to Christ with all your
          heart. It includes a repentance that says, "Jesus, I've
          got nothing to offer You. I am nothing and I have
          nothing. I come to submit to Your Lordship!"

          In Romans 10:9, Paul characterizes saving faith as
          believing with your heart and confessing with your
          mouth. He's saying that faith is more than merely
          giving mental assent. Rather, it is submitting your
          whole life to Him -- with all your heart!

          In Acts 8:37, Philip said to the eunuch, "...If thou
          believest with all thine heart..." The eunuch replied,
          "...I believe..." (same verse) -- and he was saved!
          This was not simply a mental "yes" to Jesus by the
          eunuch. It was a full surrendering of his will -- a
          committing of his very life and future into the Lord's
          hands. He believed with all his heart!

          In contrast, Simon Magus believed Paul's preaching. Yet
          he had only a temporary faith, because his heart was
          not in it. Scripture says he still clung to bitterness!
          (see Acts 8:13).

          Indeed, multitudes of people in Jesus' day believed
          temporarily in the name of Christ. But Jesus would not
          commit Himself to them because He knew their hearts
          were not committed to Him (see John 2:23-24).

          So, you ask, who is truly justified by faith? Who has
          Christ's perfect righteousness credited to him? Who is
          seen as holy before God?

          It is the one who has come to the end of all human help
          -- who knows he is lost and helpless! This person has
          tried everything and failed. And now he has committed
          his whole life into the Lord's hands -- with all his
          heart, mind, soul and strength. He cries out, "Lord, I
          am Yours -- take all of me! I want to be delivered from
          all my sins. I want to live the Christ-life. Lord, You
          are my only hope!".

                      -------------------------------

                     Here Is One Other Important Aspect
                       of Saving, Justifying Faith!

                      -------------------------------

          The strongest feature of true, saving faith is a desire
          to draw closer to Him who loves you!

          "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just
          for the unjust, that he might bring us to God..." (1
          Peter 3:18).

          Why did Jesus suffer and die? Why did He provide
          justification for us? Why is His perfect righteousness
          accounted to us?

          It was that He might bring us to God! It's all about
          intimate fellowship with the Father. You see, saving
          faith has in it a heart-cry: "Oh God, draw me nearer to
          You!" And unless you have this as a part of your faith,
          it cannot be saving faith.

          When you come to Jesus, it has to be about something
          more than just wanting happiness in life. Something in
          your heart -- put there by the Spirit -- must say, "I
          want to know Him who loves me. I want to know the One
          who gave His Son to die for me. I want to be drawn
          closer to the Lord!" There is a drawing power in saving
          faith.

          When Adam sinned, he lost the most precious thing any
          man or woman could possess: intimacy with God. Sin
          drove Adam away from closeness with the Father -- and
          he actually hid from His presence. And ever since then,
          whenever man sins, he has a tendency to run and hide
          like his forefather, Adam.

          This is why God so hates sin -- because it robs us of
          His fellowship! He created us for this very reason --
          for intimacy with Him. And He so yearned for our
          fellowship that He sent His own Son to die on a cross,
          to justify us and tear down the walls that blocked that
          intimacy from taking place.

          That is the power of justification -- the glory of
          Christ's perfect righteousness imputed: It made a way
          back to God's original purpose in creating man -- for
          fellowship with the Father!

          This present world is full of evil, slander, satanic
          lies, seductions, guilt, fear, condemnation -- all of
          it designed by Satan to keep us feeling unholy,
          unworthy to come into God's presence. The devil would
          have us hide as did Adam -- to keep us from intimacy
          with God!

          But we have been delivered from all that. We have a
          right to God's presence -- an invitation to His throne
          -- because we stand with a perfect righteousness before
          Him! Our heavenly Father is not willing that anything
          stand between us and Him. Because we wear the cloak of
          Jesus' righteousness, nothing can keep us from the
          Father's saving grace!

          Yet not only has God invited us to the throne of grace,
          but He accepts us as being holy in Christ. Our sin is
          under the blood, forgiven -- and now we have a right
          into His holiness. Moreover, if we have come to Jesus
          with saving faith, then we have yielded all to Him. And
          something in our hearts constantly yearns after Him.

          Beloved, Jesus didn't die just to take you to paradise.
          He died so that every day you could live in beautiful,
          close fellowship with the Father. You can talk to Him,
          listen to Him, ask Him to lead you, guide you, tell you
          where you're wrong, convict you of sin -- because He
          abides in you by His Spirit!

          To be delivered from this present evil world means
          simply this:

             * He delivered us from the power, guilt and
               condemnation of sin.

             * He delivered us from the condemnation of an
               accusing conscience.

             * He atoned for every sin, robbing Satan of all
               accusations against us.

             * He buried our sins in a sea of forgetfulness,
               nailing everything against us to the Cross.

             * He rent the veil in two -- opening up to us the
               Holy of holies, a way for us to come in to Him and
               for Him to come out to us.

          You don't need to understand deep theology --
          Calvinism, Arminianism, Antinomianism or any other
          theological concept to accept this truth. You don't
          need a four-year Bible college education. All you need
          is a faith that yearns to know Him in whom you have
          believed -- and a hunger in your heart for Him! Amen!

          ---
          Used with permission granted by World Challenge, P. O.
          Box 260, Lindale, TX 75771, USA.

          This material is solely for personal use and is not to
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          link this site to reference these messages.

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