Am I Still a Sinner?

Julian Adams • December 4, 2018
Let me be honest, for much of my Christian life I had a secret fear of the Holy Spirit. Partly because back in the day, we used words like ‘the Holy-Ghost!’ (a horrifying thought for a young boy!), and partly because I had heard so many hellfire and brimstone sermons. I remember being taught that if I do not listen to the Holy Spirit, I might end up like Ananias and Sapphira! I would imagine myself suddenly dying in the midst of worship because of my hidden sins! The teachings of those days were so full of legalism. I never understood that the Holy Spirit is so very kind, gentle and he loves to tell me of who I am, not who I was! Now, you might ask me, ‘Are you saying that the Holy Spirit does not convict us of our sin?’. And yes! That’s exactly what I am saying. He now convicts me of who I am in light of the cross. I can already picture some religious cows getting ready for the abattoir of grace! “You mean I get to sin when I want without consequences and the Holy Spirit will just stand by and watch?” Of course not. If your predisposition is to see how much sin you can get away with, something is very wrong! The Spirit of grace, who is the Holy Spirit, is not about what we can get away with, but what we get to enjoy because of our new found right-standing with the Father! He teaches us to say ‘no’ to sin because children of God do not act that way. He reminds us of who we are! Paul did the same thing. He spoke of who we are in order to help us realise we can, and will, overcome sin. In the church at Corinth, there was so much glory and sin in one place, Paul lists the sins of the past, and then he says ‘And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.’ (1Corinthians 6:11) Thank God for the word ‘but‘! We’d all be dead in the water without that word. At the cross, Jesus said ‘It is finished’, this was not a statement related to our pardoning of sin, this had to do with an invasion of new creation upon an old earth that needs to be redeemed. I’m a new creation! You see, at the cross and through the resurrection, a new day dawned, a day of new life. And because Jesus was resurrected, we were resurrected. Just as the Father was pleased after the creation and rested, so, when Jesus had paid the price for the new creation, he could cry out, ‘it is finished’. Because from then on, new life would be breaking out on an old earth, redeeming people and nations and tribes all over the world. In this, the promise made to Abraham before the law would now be fulfilled not because of the law but because the mark of this new creation is a believing people. A faith-filled people! The sum of Paul’s argument is that you were once a people marked by the circumcision of the flesh, but now your identity as the new creation is characterised by your faith! It’s not your right law-keeping or even your lawbreaking that sets you apart, but it is faith! So what does this mean then? My identity is now irrevocably changed. I am a son. Nothing can undo that. The cross is not the end point of our salvation, and it was not for Jesus. Our very life is now hidden with Him on high. The end point is the glorious duty of delighting in the Father forever and ever! I was dead to God, but now this union has produced a oneness with him that can’t be undone! It’s exciting! And what’s more exciting is that the primary reason for this union is the pleasure of knowing Him and being known by Him. Calvin said this: ‘Engrafted into the death of Christ, we derive a secret energy from it. As the shoot does from the root. It is divine energy that flows through you ‘for it is God who works in you both to will and to do his good pleasure’ (Phil 2:13). By the Spirit of God we remember who we really are in Christ.
By Julian Adams January 3, 2025
We are living in a world of dramatic change. The relentless pace of development often leaves us breathless and exhausted. The demand for innovative ways of communicating, inventing, and staying ahead of cultural trends can feel daunting and demoralizing. It can push us into a space where we find ourselves trying to copy rather than be authentic, to imitate rather than create. This pressure can lead us to believe that we need to be more creative, and that our individual stories do not matter. But nothing could be further from the truth. Your story, no matter how small, matters and is powerful. One of the remarkable aspects of ancient manuscripts, like the Bible, is that they tell the stories of individuals whose lives may seem small and insignificant. Yet, God chose to make their lives a memorial of what He could do with a life that the world deems insignificant. The incredible power of the gospel is that it changes lives one at a time. God is as interested in the individual story as He is in redeeming the cosmos. The aim of the gospel is not just dealing with personal sin; it is about restoring individuals to a relationship with a kind Father. In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis beautifully said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Justification addresses our standing before God, but our adoption invites us into a relationship with the Father. It allows us to partake of who He is and to live in a place of deep joy from who He is. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Many of us forget that the work of salvation has turned this verse around. Through Jesus, we have been restored to the glory of God. One description of the word "glory" refers to the divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, and splendor. It is the revelation of God's intrinsic worth and beauty. Do you see that? We have been restored to His divine quality, splendor, and beauty. In a world where it can be easy to feel like just another face in the crowd, remember that your story is significant. Your experiences, your journey, and your voice matter. Embrace the unique narrative God has given you and let it shine. You are not just a spectator; you are a vital participant in God's grand story. Your authenticity, creativity, and individuality are valuable. As you navigate the rapid changes of our world, hold on to the truth that your story has power and purpose. God sees you, knows you, and has a plan for your life that is uniquely yours. Let us celebrate the beauty and significance of each individual story, knowing that together, we contribute to a tapestry of divine splendor and glory.
By Julian Adams July 17, 2024
Rejection is a powerful force that can shape the trajectory of our lives, often in ways we don't fully realize until much later. For me, this journey began in childhood. I was born with a cleft palate, which affected my ability to speak, and coupled with my passionate devotion to Jesus, I faced daily ridicule and rejection throughout my school years. My speech and my fervent faith made me a target, and I found myself isolated and misunderstood. Despite the rejection, something beautiful began to grow within me: a deep and abiding friendship with Jesus. Through profound encounters with the Lord, I began to walk in the prophetic. This newfound gift led me to public ministry, where I started releasing prophetic words. However, beneath the surface, I was carrying an immense amount of pain that I hadn't dealt with. This pain manifested as a lifestyle of performance, driven by the need for acceptance and validation. Though I was a new creation in Christ, I was living as if I were still bound by my old wounds. In Matthew 23:27-28 (MSG), Jesus describes the Pharisees as "manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin, you're total frauds." These words struck a chord with me because I realized I was living like a professional Pharisee. Outwardly, I appeared to have it all together, but inside, I was disconnected from the healing process that God wanted to take me through. This disconnect had a significant impact on my prophetic ministry. My words, especially those concerning sin, were often harsh and unkind, reflecting my damaged perspective of myself and the world. It wasn't until I began to address my heart issues that my approach to the prophetic truly changed. God started speaking to me about the connection between my gift, my performance, and my worth. Through this process, He took me back to moments of pain and difficulty from my childhood and even into my adult life. In one profound moment, God said to me, "Son, I want you to grow up and be a child." This statement might seem paradoxical, but it revealed a crucial truth: the posture of the kingdom is one of childlike fascination and trust. My journey into sonship transformed how I viewed the prophetic and how I ministered to others. No longer driven by judgment and legalism, I began to approach people with love, kindness, and the heart of the Father. Understanding my identity as a beloved child of God allowed me to see others through His eyes. This shift not only brought healing to my heart but also enabled me to minister more effectively and compassionately. Rejection and pain had shaped my early years, but God's love and healing power brought me to a place of wholeness. This journey has taught me that dealing with our heart issues is essential for authentic and impactful ministry. As we pursue wholeness, we open ourselves to deeper intimacy with God and greater effectiveness in serving His people. If you find yourself struggling with similar issues of rejection, pain, or performance, I encourage you to invite God into those wounded places. Allow Him to heal and transform you, just as He did for me. Embrace the posture of childlike wonder and trust, knowing that you are deeply loved and valued by your Heavenly Father. In this place of wholeness, you will find the freedom to live and minister authentically, reflecting the heart of God to a world in need.
By Julian Adams July 21, 2023
In my years of teaching people the prophetic and how to hear God's voice, I've learned several practices that help people hear Him. Here are a few of my most helpful!
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