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Vocabulary
74 Words
Mercy
Mercy refers to the fact that instead of giving us the punishment (death and hell) we deserve, God has forgiven us and shown us mercy. Mercy and Grace are two words that go together. Someone has said, “Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve!”
Lost
Before we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are said to be "lost." After we receive the Lord Jesus Christ we are "saved." Lost people do not have their sins forgiven until they repent and receive Christ. The Bible teaches that lost people are slaves to sin and to Satan. Lost people do not have the gift of eternal life.
Lordship of Christ
“Lordship” refers to the fact that Jesus Christ is totally in command of our lives. He is the King. He gives us orders and commands that we obey. He is our Master. It does not make sense for anyone to claim that Jesus is his or her Savior and that He is God, but refuse to be willing to obey Him. When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, we receive Him as Savior and as Lord.
Legalism
Legalism has two meanings. It can refer to the belief of some people who are not Christians that we can be saved by our own good works. It can also refer to Christians who cannot enjoy their freedom in Christ because they feel bound to do many things that God does not command us to do. (Or they feel bound not do things that God does not forbid us to do.)
Justification
Justification is the act of all our sins being forgiven and cleansed away from us forever. This takes place at the very moment we receive Jesus Christ into our lives as Lord and Savior. Someone once said, “When I am justified, it’s ‘just if I’d’ never sinned!” That’s a good way to remember the meaning of the word! Since our sins are all forgiven and taken away, God declares us to be “righteous.” The words “righteous” and “justified” come from the same Greek word.
Invitation
God invites everyone to repent of his or her sins and to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior. We call this "God's invitation." In many churches (including ours) most worship services have a time, near the end of the service, when an "invitation" is given. People are encouraged to examine their own hearts and say "yes" to God's invitation. Many pastors and evangelists encourage people to "come forward" during the time of invitation to let others know publicly that they have said "yes" to God's invitation. Many times Christians also "go forward" during the time of invitation in order to pray for special needs. Others go to let people know they are rededicating their lives to the Lord.
Intercession
When we pray for other people besides ourselves, we are said to be “interceding” for them. Intercession, or praying for others, is a very important part of our pray life.
Inspiration
Inspiration refers to the process that God uses to accomplish His purposes. He “inspired” His Word to be preserved inerrantly and infallibly. He inspires us to do His Work and accomplish His purposes. We are more likely to be inspired to do things for God if we are learning to listen to His voice speaking within us.
Infallible
Infallible is a word often used with the word “inerrant.” It means that since the Bible is God’s Word, it cannot fail or mislead in any way. It is perfect.
Inerrant
A description given to God’s Word by Christians who believe that the Bible contains no errors at all.
Inerrancy
The belief that God caused His Word, the Bible, to be written perfectly and without any errors at all. People who reject part of God’s Word (for example, the miracles) do not believe in inerrancy.
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
When we receive Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live inside us. He never leaves us again. To live somewhere is to “dwell” there. The Holy Spirit lives or dwells within us forever.
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