God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)
You cannot cherish Jesus and your sin. We cannot add Christ without subtracting sin. A change in belief should always be followed by a change in behavior.
The “carnal Christian” teaching appeals to those who are supposed to be justified, as though a new heart and life are optional. Sanctification is spoken of as though it can be subsequent to the forgiveness of sins and so people are led to believe that they are justified even though they are not being sanctified! The truth is that we have no reason to believe that Christ’s blood covers our sins in the record of heaven if the Spirit has not changed our hearts on earth. These two great blessings are joined together in the one covenant. The working of the Spirit and the cleansing of Christ’s blood are inseparably joined in the application of God’s salvation.
