Sunday April 26, 2026Sunday April 26, 2026
Lance Johnson Ministries
We live in a world that can often feel chaotic. As Christians, we are called to be in the world, but when we begin to look like the world, we lose our witness. That’s why in today’s message, Pastor Lance reminds us that we are not in this battle alone
29:30•26 Apr 2026
From Religion to Transformation: Putting On the Garment of Christ
Episode Overview
- Accepting Christ is presented as more than a prayer; it involves putting on the "new man" and bearing the image of Jesus.
- The Holy Spirit is described as providing transformation and deliverance, not just forgiveness, including freedom from addiction.
- Religion without the presence and power of God is criticised as offering an invitation without requiring changed garments or changed lives.
- Conviction from the Holy Spirit is highlighted as a sign of real faith, affecting speech, habits, relationships and private behaviour.
- True Christianity is framed as spiritual transformation rather than mere behavioural modification or church membership.
“Salvation without transformation is not salvation.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This message from Bishop Lance Johnson leans hard into that question, speaking straight to anyone who feels stuck between church attendance and real change. Rooted in Matthew 22 and Romans 8, the episode centres on the idea of the "wedding garment" – putting on Christ, not just accepting an invitation to the banquet.
Bishop Lance argues that many people have settled for religion and a "get out of hell free card" instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to change their nature, habits and addictions. As he puts it bluntly, "Salvation without transformation is not salvation." You’ll hear him challenge the comfort of institutional religion that offers forgiveness without real conversion.
He contrasts behavioural modification with what he calls genuine spiritual transformation, stressing that the Holy Spirit doesn’t simply cleanse; "the holy spirit provides transformation. The holy spirit provides deliverance." This includes addictions like drugs, alcohol and pornography, as well as destructive anger, dishonesty and compromise. The episode has a strong call to examine whether someone has just "accepted the invitation" or actually "put on the new man". Bishop Lance reminds his audience that "God may have found you broke...
strung out on alcohol... full of perversion. But God will not leave you that way. He came to transform you." For anyone in recovery or wrestling with hidden cycles of self-destruction, that line lands squarely. The tone is direct, urgent and sometimes confrontational, but aimed at hope: that there is "not an addict he can't deliver" and that the Holy Spirit goes home, into marriages, workplaces and private battles, to bring lasting change.
If you’re tired of white-knuckling your way through addiction or pretending you’re fine while secretly breaking apart, this message may push you to ask: have you just come to the banquet, or are you ready to put on the garment?
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