Why Do I Write So Much About Entire Sanctification?

The short answer is that entire sanctification is the great need of the church. In my travels and being a part of many churches and organizations, I have seen the effects of carnality in homes, churches and denominations. Carnality is selfishness and that selfishness leads to divisions, strife and separation. Psalm 133 tells us how good and pleasant it is for brethren to be in unity. Holiness (another expression for entire sanctification) brings unity of hearts and provides good ground for the Lord Jesus Christ to bring about His will.

Some churches don’t teach holiness as a second definite experience of grace. They teach that you must live with your carnal heart until death. They make death the ultimate sanctifier. However, 1 Corinthians 15:26 tells us that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. So death is your enemy not a sanctifying power. And, death has been defeated in Jesus Christ.

Sadly, some denominations teach entire sanctification but it has been so watered down to be a mere shadow of the truth. Holiness without dying to self (referred to as taking the death route), is to attempt to take something by faith without putting yourself in a position to “take it by faith.” It results in a holiness by presumption. The danger here is seen in the medical analogy of a vaccination. You get a little to ward off the disease. Some people get a presumed holiness and see that it doesn’t work so they either dismiss it or redefine the experience to mean just do the best you can. I actually had a “holiness” Chaplin tell a young convert that it was acceptable to go to a movie that was rated R knowing it would offend the Christian conscious. That simple act lead to a decade of falling away from the Christian’s walk and testimony.

Entire sanctification is a second definite work of grace that cleanses the heart from sin (the principle) and fills with the Holy Ghost. It is preceded by a complete consecration (total surrender of oneself) and faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to be applied resulting in the cleansing. Too often, the candidate for holiness fails to take the death route (Hebrews 13:13) and the consecration is incomplete. In the days ahead, I intend to write more about taking the death route. Holiness is essential to seeing the Lord (Hebrews 12:14) and we need to walk in all the light we have been given. Time is short and heaven is too precious to miss.