Reasons Why Every Christian Should Be Entirely Sanctified

We will spend a few days looking at some reasons why every Christian should be entirely sanctified. I still remember a discussion some 20 years ago with a pastor from a denomination that did not believe in entire sanctification. He was asked, “Tell me, if it was possible would you want God to remove your inbred sin, your carnality from you?” He was so protective of his theology, he shouted, “No!” It is God’s will that you be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3), so let’s find out why.

First, because without being sanctified, we can neither do, nor be all that God commands. His greatest command is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” We certainly cannot love God with all our heart, while indwelling sin remains in us. The commands enjoining holiness are just as numerous, positive, and imperative as any in the Bible.

Second, because without entire sanctification it is impossible to be free from indwelling sin, the foundation of the “carnal mind,” which is enmity against God. These disturbing, discordant elements, the “roots of bitterness” will continually spring up and trouble us. The death of the “old man” by crucifixion is imperative.

Third, because without entire sanctification, the remaining evils of our sanctified hearts will often prevail in our passions and actions, and our Christian testimony will be marred and defective. While any forces remain in the heart, antagonistic to grace, the Christian is not fully prepared for the conflicts and race before him. We are to be holy because He is holy,

I sometimes am amazed at believers that refuse to accept the truth about entire sanctification. Certain theological persuasions, most notably Calvinists or Reformed Christians, insist that they sin every day in thought, word and deed. They seem insistent on holding to their sin. At some point I always ask them, “So which particular secret sin are you clinging to?” That generally ends the discussion. I end today with the same question that was asked 20 plus years ago, “Tell me, if it was possible, would you want God to remove your inbred sin, your carnality from you?”