In trying to address this subject, I realize that not everyone will agree with the basic premise that there is such a state as an awakened man. I shall not try to defend this position, but endeavor to give some help to those who find themselves in a place where the Spirit of the Lord is at work in their lives, but they have not victory over sin. Many try to excuse and try to explain it away, but let us meet the issue head on. WHOSOEVER THAT IS BORN OF GOD DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN (1 John 3:9). New Testament Christians meet this criterion.
Many today exist on a sub-spiritual plane where they sin and repent, sin and repent in a vicious circle, trying to live from one camp or revival to another. This is a dangerous and deadly cycle, but many grind away the years of their life right here. This is not New Testament Christianity and it is far less than Christ bought for us at Calvary.
It is easy to measure ourselves by ourselves or others that are highly visible. This will stalemate us very quickly. If we are to enter the kingdom of heaven we must respond to the overtures of the Holy Ghost as he shows us the deep pollution of our heart. Nothing will stalemate the seeker quicker than trying to justify what the Lord has condemned. In my own quest for God, I distinctly remember the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit when I sought to justify what the Lord had condemned. It is rather difficult for carnal man to admit what the Lord reveals as the truth, but it is necessary if the seeker wants to be freed from sin. NO excuses, just confession will keep the seeker from becoming stalemated.
As we ponder this further, the seeker is often stalemated by ignoring the weightier matters of the law. While not too many are stalemated for refusing to do some outward form of service, many are stopped when they see the inward requirements of the law. Those requirements attack your private garden, known only to you. They may seem all harmless to others, but to you they represent the seat of your affections. As always Christ will not reside where He cannot reign. The blessing goes to those who mourn, not to those who resist what the Spirit so faithfully reveals.
Many who find themselves in an awakened state for longer periods of time are generally those who have been subjected to much light and consequently have a higher than normal estimation of themselves. Consequently the battle to reduce their self image to one who has nothing with which to recommend themselves to the Lord and are at His mercy, is often times a long and drawn out battle. It does not have to be, but the old selfish nature often causes this. As long as a seeker hangs on to the idea that he is better than the chiefest of sinners, the Lord can never bring him to the new birth. Remember, He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. It is only sinners that He can save.
Often the clergy does not recognize this and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in correcting this error. The first mistake is not requiring basic New Testament fruit for evidence of the new birth. Let us never forget that Galatians 5:19-25 still outlines the difference between the old life and the New Testament experience.
The second mistake is not cultivating the leadership of the Spirit in discerning and correcting this error. Salvation is of the Lord! We are His servants and He is the Master. Our words are to be His words. Preach the Word and leave the results to Him and His care.
The gravest danger to being in this state is that some may mistakenly think that they have God’s best and never press on to Romans 8:1. The state of no condemnation is the privilege of New Testament salvation available to them. Jesus promised that the gates of hell should not prevail against this Church. Let those who earnestly seek not rest until they come to the knowledge of sins forgiven.
From: Brown, C. Marion. “The Possibility Of Becoming Stalemated And The Dangers Attached.” The Arminian: A Publication of the Fundamental Wesleyan Society, vol. 7, no. 1, 1986. http://wesley.nnu.edu/arminianism/the-arminian-magazine/the-arminian-magazine-spring-1986/. Web.
