Carl Syvertson shares his journey from understanding salvation intellectually to experiencing the transformative revelation that God has already freed him from sin and given him a new identity.

• Carl's spiritual journey began with a family legacy of seeking closeness to Jesus
• His great-great-grandfather was a Quaker missionary who became an Adventist after a dream showing others closer to Jesus
• Carl describes himself as having been a "hothead" with a prideful attitude before understanding the gospel
• During college at Andrews University, Carl encountered the writings of Jones and Wagner about righteousness by faith
• For decades, Carl believed in salvation but still thought transformation required constantly asking the Holy Spirit for power
• A breakthrough came when Carl realized God had already transformed him and given him the Holy Spirit
• Carl found this truth confirmed in Scripture and in the writings he'd studied years before
• The revelation changed Carl's relationships, particularly with his wife and daughter
• Angry outbursts that once caused multi-day arguments became shorter and less destructive
• Carl began recognizing the Holy Spirit's promptings to share these truths with others
• Understanding comes through intimacy with God, not just intellectual knowledge
• The gospel revelation isn't just a doorway to knowing God but must lead to ongoing relationship