In the following reply to a question concerning the difference between tentative justification and vitalized justification the Pastor explains a bit about consecration and the high calling. (Italics are mine.)
There are in fact two distinctive consecrations made by the believer, the first “a consecration to righteousness” is a requirement of all believers professing faith in Christ, in the next age this will be a requirement for all who wish to enter the kingdom, the second “a consecration to sacrifice” is voluntary and is by invitation only, it is an opportunity offered only now during the Gospel Age, and only to those especially called by God (Heb 5:4).
Our first consecration takes place immediately following our conversion (or turning around), while we are yet still in the “camp condition” which represents the condition of the world of mankind in sin, and in need of atonement.
Our consecration to righteousness (to right living) is represented by our taking the “First Step”, a step of faith, faith in the redemption and forgiveness of sins secured to us through Christ Jesus our Lord. This act is represented by our passing through or beneath the “entrance curtain” into the courtyard of the Tabernacle. The “entrance curtain” the only means of access into the courtyard likewise symbolizes Christ Jesus as the only means of access by which we might approach the Father. Passing this curtain we enter by faith into the courtyard or tentatively justified condition. This first consecration we have needed to reaffirm often due to the fallen nature of our flesh, and our tendency of relapse into sin.
“We are tentatively justified from the moment we turn our backs upon sin, and turn toward God with longing desire and with good intentions of heart. Here is an individual who has been delving in sin, and walking according to the flesh, and he hears and comes to some understanding that this is the wrong course, and that God is willing he should draw nigh to him. So he is converted, i.e. turned around, and now he is facing toward God, and begins to take steps in that direction, and puts away the filth of the flesh, and strives to walk in a more orderly way. If he has been a drunkard, he puts away his cup, if he has been vile in some other respect, he puts away those vile practices, and he seeks to draw nigh unto God.
Now the Lord says, "Draw nigh unto me and I will draw nigh unto you." So he goes a little nearer. Now, what is his attitude? We speak of him as being in a justified attitude. Why so? Justified means right. He is not fully right yet, but he is in that attitude; he is making an approach toward the right. He is there tentatively; to be spoken of as a justified person; he is seeking to walk righteously. So he draws nearer, and as he draws nearer, he says,
"Now, Lord, I would like to come very near and be your child." Well, the Lord says, "Now that you have come this near, I will explain what is necessary."
"Lord, I would like to know upon what terms I can be fully your child and receive your Spirit, and receive share in all that glorious inheritance which you have provided in Jesus for those who will be joint-heirs."
"Well," the Lord answers, "they are very severe terms. They are very strict terms. (Much more than a mere profession of faith as most Christians believe), You must take up your cross and follow the Master. You must be prepared to lay down all that you have, even life itself, in my service. Only thus can you become a child of mine in the full sense of the word, because this is the only class I am calling now."
"Well," the person says, "Lord, I do not care to sacrifice, and make a consecration to death, but would like to simply do right, and if I do right--"
"Well, but you cannot do right; in your own flesh there is no perfection, and you cannot be right; you can never approach me on the basis of the law, because by the deeds of the law, no flesh can be justified.”
"Well, Lord, how can I be justified, then, if it is impossible to keep the law?"
"You can only be justified in one way, and that is through the merit of the great Advocate."
"Well, Lord, will he be my advocate?"
"He will only be your advocate if you come to the place where you make a full surrender (a full consecration) of all that you have."
Our consecration to sacrifice (sanctification or setting apart) is represented by our taking the “Second Step”, when we present our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1); this was typified by the presentation of the two goats before the “first vail” or “door” to the Tabernacle proper (Lev 16:7). The “first vail” once again not only representing our Lord as the only means of access to the Father but likewise the only means of access to this “new and living way” (Heb 10:20). Having consecrated our all to the Lord and to his service we surrender our will for his, that is what the first vail represents, the death of the will, with all its human aspirations and hopes, passing beneath this vail we enter the “Holy” or spirit begotten condition we are hence forth recognized in the flesh no longer, but hence forth are considered “new creatures in Christ Jesus”, begotten of the holy spirit. No longer are we consider merely tentatively justified, but now we are reckon actually justified having received of the imputation of the merit of Christ righteousness, our justification having become vitalized.
Continued with next post.
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