Faith in Christ alone - the "yes," the "I give up on my own self-righteousness and place my faith and trust in the righteousness of Christ" - creates low pressure. Again, the Holy Spirit no longer woos, but rushes to the very core of our being, creating and recreating after the mind of Christ. More of the theology behind this will be discussed in the next two chapters, but for now (recalling our introductory chart again), it is important to realize that the Holy Spirit as justifying grace moves inside the circle to continue as sanctifying grace. In that same moment sin moves outside the circle (though sin remains, it no longer reigns) and continues as the carnal nature. Before moving on to a more general discussion of justifying grace, allow an old evangelist a word of exhortation. You can take it. People the world over are being drawn by the Spirit of God. The prevenient grace of God is at work all around us. Yet too many people, like Wesley, are weary of the bankruptcy of their own selfsufficiency. They are restless and uneasy. They cannot change their own lives. They cannot turn around. Their marriages are failing at an alarming rate. Most do not like doing what they do. Those with jobs can look forward to a two-day weekend, or a two-week vacation, or, for the less fortunate, a solid piece of meat or a good education for the eldest child, but little more. Many are discontent with a form of godliness which denies the power to pull it off. They are weary of the law without strength or inclination to obey. Do not despair, however, here is good news! Although 1 John 5:19 says ''that the whole world is under the control of the evil one," 1 John also says that God's "commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (vv. 3-5). "Overcoming," perhaps John's favorite word (cf. Revelation, chapters 2-3), establishes the urgency of the gospel. Want to survive? Repent and believe the gospel!
Justifying Grace Justifying grace describes the work of the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. At this point, it is important to give a more general description of the miracle that occurs in this moment.
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