Why should every Christian possess perfect love?
1. Because, with out it, we can neither do, nor be all that God commands. His greatest and iterated 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 it. He commands us to "rejoice evermore," to "love our enemies," to "pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks," to "reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin," to "be clothed with humility," to "be filled with the spirit," and to "be holy," all of which is impossible without a
1. Because, with out it, we can neither do, nor be all that God commands. His greatest and iterated 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 it. He commands us to "rejoice evermore," to "love our enemies," to "pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks," to "reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin," to "be clothed with humility," to "be filled with the spirit," and to "be holy," all of which is impossible without a
pure heart. The commands enjoining holiness are just as numerous, positive, and imperative as any in the Bible.
2. Because without entire sanctification it is impossible to be free from indwelling sin, the rudiments of the "carnal mind," which is enmity against God. These disturbing, discordant elements -- "roots of bitterness -- will spring up and trouble us. The death of the "old man," the "body of sin," by crucifixion, mortification, or destruction, is imperative. It is commanded: "Mortify, therefore, your members, which are upon the earth." "That our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed." Then grace will purify every thought, and regulate every desire, and sweeten every disposition.
3. Because, without it, the remaining evils of our unsanctified hearts will often prevail in our passions and propensities, and our Christian characters 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. Our privilege and duty are clearly seen in the declaration: "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame."
4. Because, if our hearts are not cleansed from inbred sin, the work of grace will be so interrupted and obstructed by it, that we cannot become "rooted and grounded in love." No man can become thoroughly settled and established, like a tree whose roots strike deep and extend without obstruction in every direction, while his heart remains uncleansed.
"That ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."
5. Because, without Christian purity our growth in grace will be obstructed and unsteady. Christian purity secures the best possible ground for rapid growth in love, knowledge, and power. While only partly saved, like ancient Israel, our Christian life will be unsteady, and we shall take a zigzag course in the wilderness, object to all the workings and dangers of "indwelling sin." "Let us lay aside every weight, and the (inbred) sin, which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (steadiness) the race that is set before us."
6. Because, without entire sanctification our knowledge of personal salvation is necessarily superficial, as we know only in part. Without an experimental knowledge, we cannot know personally that "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Some things can be known only by experience. The pure in heart have the "witness of the Spirit," and a consciousness of full salvation. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine."
7. Because, without holiness we cannot be free from distressing convictions of moral deficiency -- that we are not what we ought to be, in view of the possibilities and necessities of the Christian life. Christ has said, "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; " and, "That servant, which knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes."
2. Because without entire sanctification it is impossible to be free from indwelling sin, the rudiments of the "carnal mind," which is enmity against God. These disturbing, discordant elements -- "roots of bitterness -- will spring up and trouble us. The death of the "old man," the "body of sin," by crucifixion, mortification, or destruction, is imperative. It is commanded: "Mortify, therefore, your members, which are upon the earth." "That our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed." Then grace will purify every thought, and regulate every desire, and sweeten every disposition.
3. Because, without it, the remaining evils of our unsanctified hearts will often prevail in our passions and propensities, and our Christian characters 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. Our privilege and duty are clearly seen in the declaration: "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame."
4. Because, if our hearts are not cleansed from inbred sin, the work of grace will be so interrupted and obstructed by it, that we cannot become "rooted and grounded in love." No man can become thoroughly settled and established, like a tree whose roots strike deep and extend without obstruction in every direction, while his heart remains uncleansed.
"That ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."
5. Because, without Christian purity our growth in grace will be obstructed and unsteady. Christian purity secures the best possible ground for rapid growth in love, knowledge, and power. While only partly saved, like ancient Israel, our Christian life will be unsteady, and we shall take a zigzag course in the wilderness, object to all the workings and dangers of "indwelling sin." "Let us lay aside every weight, and the (inbred) sin, which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (steadiness) the race that is set before us."
6. Because, without entire sanctification our knowledge of personal salvation is necessarily superficial, as we know only in part. Without an experimental knowledge, we cannot know personally that "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Some things can be known only by experience. The pure in heart have the "witness of the Spirit," and a consciousness of full salvation. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine."
7. Because, without holiness we cannot be free from distressing convictions of moral deficiency -- that we are not what we ought to be, in view of the possibilities and necessities of the Christian life. Christ has said, "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; " and, "That servant, which knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes."
8. Because, without purity our communion with God will inevitably be intermittent. None but the pure in heart are free from the disturbing antagonisms to grace. Inbred sin interrupts communion with God. It is only the pure in heart who have constant fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
"What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God."
9. Because, without perfect love we cannot be entirely saved from tormenting, slavish, unsanctified fear. "Perfect love (alone) casteth out fear; " and he that is not in possession of this grace has some "fear that hath torment." "God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment. There is no fear in love. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
10. Because, without perfect love we cannot enter fully into gospel rest, and possess undisturbed peace of mind. Purity alone can secure soul rest -- freedom from all the disquieting and jarring discords of indwelling sin. "We, which have believed, do enter into rest." In this rest the tumult of the heart is hushed in peace. The work of righteousness (holiness) shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever."
11. Because, purity is essential to "full assurance of faith," and a continuous witness of justification. Inbred sin darkens our spiritual vision, often obscures the clear light of justification, and is fruitful of darkness, doubts, and fears. Conscious confidence in Christ and a conscious neglect of privilege and duty cannot coexist in our hearts. Clear light and the witness of the Spirit cannot be steadily retained without possessing or seeking full conformity to all the will of God. "Ye are my friends," said Jesus, "if you do whatsoever I command."
12. Because it is the end and aim of the whole Christian system. Holiness is the grand object and aim of the gospel economy. For this purpose Christ died, the Holy Scriptures were given, the means of grace instituted, and the work and agency of the Holy Ghost furnished. "And holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."
13. Because, if not sought there is the utmost danger of backsliding. Not to go forward is to go back, and "end in the flesh." There is no standing still in a religious life. Israel could not stay on the borders of the promised land; they had either to go over, or measure their steps back into the wilderness.
14. Because, without entire sanctification we cannot occupy the best vantage-ground to resist temptation and achieve complete victory over Satan. Holiness involves all the elements of stability and strength, and affords power in the hour of trial, and great moral endurance in the conflicts of life. It secures the safest possible condition of probation. "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Christian holiness would save us from many annoyances and difficulties of
life. It would lift us above them. If the eagle were to fly low along the ground, every man might aim
a dart at it but when it soars into the clouds, it is above every arrow's reach. So they that are fully saved, "mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
15. Because, without perfect love we cannot possess that full measure of religious joy and healthful happiness which God has provided for us, and which our nature and circumstances require. The enjoyments of the entirely sanctified heart are full, purely religious, and divine.
When our blessed Redeemer stood and cried at the Jewish feast, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink," He called upon all to come and drink at the fountain of his own infinite felicity. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." This completes the climax. Halleluiah!
16. Because, without entire sanctification we cannot reach the maximum of our spiritual power, or attain our greatest usefulness. Other circumstances being equal, God always graduates the Christian's influence by his purity. Love and purity are the strongest elements of moral power, and he who has them is invincible. Proportionately to our purity, God and good men will love us, and in the same proportion we shall have influence with God and with men. "If a man therefore purge himself from these (inward defilements), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
17. Because, perfect love is the most pleasing expression of gratitude to God for his infinite goodness. When we were in our sins, he convicted, pardoned, and regenerated our unworthy soul. Should we not be as entire now in the service of God as we were in the service of the devil? We are under infinite obligations of love and praise to God. He has given us his Son, his Truth, and his Spirit. He has provided for us a seat in heaven, a robe of righteousness, a harp of gold, a crown of glory, and special place in the center of his eternal love. "That where I am there ye may be also."
18. Because, God is holy -- essentially, absolutely, unchangeably, and transcendently HOLY. He infinitely loves holiness, and infinitely hates sin. He delights only in that which possesses his own nature, and bears his own image. He is the infinite model and source of holiness, and desires that all his creatures should be holy. Because it is written, "Be ye yourselves also holy." -- Alford.
19. Because, holiness has intrinsic excellence and glory in itself. It brings a whole constellation of virtues into a single heart -- perfect love, perfect faith, perfect humility, perfect patience, and perfect purity. Here are riches and honors, like the source whence they emanate, glorious as heaven and lasting as eternity. These graces constitute the richest adornment of our nature. The garments of holiness are for glory and beauty. John Bunyan declared, "The ornament and beauty of this lower world, next to God and his works, are the men and women who sparkle and shine in the beauty of holiness."
20. Because, the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom demands it. We cannot glorify God fully without it. The lives of Christians are to be the practical exponents of the holy principles of Christ's spiritual kingdom. "Ye are the light of the world." Millions of sinners are perishing for
15. Because, without perfect love we cannot possess that full measure of religious joy and healthful happiness which God has provided for us, and which our nature and circumstances require. The enjoyments of the entirely sanctified heart are full, purely religious, and divine.
When our blessed Redeemer stood and cried at the Jewish feast, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink," He called upon all to come and drink at the fountain of his own infinite felicity. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." This completes the climax. Halleluiah!
16. Because, without entire sanctification we cannot reach the maximum of our spiritual power, or attain our greatest usefulness. Other circumstances being equal, God always graduates the Christian's influence by his purity. Love and purity are the strongest elements of moral power, and he who has them is invincible. Proportionately to our purity, God and good men will love us, and in the same proportion we shall have influence with God and with men. "If a man therefore purge himself from these (inward defilements), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
17. Because, perfect love is the most pleasing expression of gratitude to God for his infinite goodness. When we were in our sins, he convicted, pardoned, and regenerated our unworthy soul. Should we not be as entire now in the service of God as we were in the service of the devil? We are under infinite obligations of love and praise to God. He has given us his Son, his Truth, and his Spirit. He has provided for us a seat in heaven, a robe of righteousness, a harp of gold, a crown of glory, and special place in the center of his eternal love. "That where I am there ye may be also."
18. Because, God is holy -- essentially, absolutely, unchangeably, and transcendently HOLY. He infinitely loves holiness, and infinitely hates sin. He delights only in that which possesses his own nature, and bears his own image. He is the infinite model and source of holiness, and desires that all his creatures should be holy. Because it is written, "Be ye yourselves also holy." -- Alford.
19. Because, holiness has intrinsic excellence and glory in itself. It brings a whole constellation of virtues into a single heart -- perfect love, perfect faith, perfect humility, perfect patience, and perfect purity. Here are riches and honors, like the source whence they emanate, glorious as heaven and lasting as eternity. These graces constitute the richest adornment of our nature. The garments of holiness are for glory and beauty. John Bunyan declared, "The ornament and beauty of this lower world, next to God and his works, are the men and women who sparkle and shine in the beauty of holiness."
20. Because, the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom demands it. We cannot glorify God fully without it. The lives of Christians are to be the practical exponents of the holy principles of Christ's spiritual kingdom. "Ye are the light of the world." Millions of sinners are perishing for
want of a holy ministry and membership. For the want of entire sanctification, multitudes in both the ministry and membership do but little for God and the salvation of souls. Of Barnabas it is written: "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith and much people were added unto the Lord."
If then, dear reader, without entire sanctification we are subjects of indwelling sin, which is unfriendly to our religious life -- struggles for ascendency -- disturbs our peace -- obscures our spiritual vision -- is the instrument of sore temptation -- mars our Christian character -- interrupts our communion with God -- cripples our efforts to do good -- occupies a place in our hearts which should be possessed by the Holy Spirit -- obstructs our growth in grace -- renders our service to God but partial -- begets doubts and fears -- hinders usefulness, and produces distressing convictions of moral deficiency, how can we neglect its extermination with impunity? "This is the will of God even your sanctification." It is His will both permissively and authoritatively. Can we resist God's will with impunity?
Bishop Foster beautifully says: "Motives to holiness! where shall we not go to find them? What direction shall we take to elude them? Are they not everywhere? Do they not come down from the heavens, and spring up from the earth? Do we not feel them within, and behold them without us? Is there anything that has a voice that does not preach it? Nay, do not even mute and dumb things urge it with silent but persuasive eloquence? What is heaven but an eternal monument of its glory? What is hell but a terrible and endless declaration of its necessity? The happiness of the former and the anguish of the latter equally impress it upon the hearts of thoughtless mortals. Indeed, turn where we will, whether to time or eternity, to the throne or the abyss, a million arguments commend it to us, a million voices urge it upon us. -- Christian Purity, p. 184.
Reader, we are approaching a holy God, a holy heaven, and a company of saints and angels who cry: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty; heaven and earth are full of his glory."
If then, dear reader, without entire sanctification we are subjects of indwelling sin, which is unfriendly to our religious life -- struggles for ascendency -- disturbs our peace -- obscures our spiritual vision -- is the instrument of sore temptation -- mars our Christian character -- interrupts our communion with God -- cripples our efforts to do good -- occupies a place in our hearts which should be possessed by the Holy Spirit -- obstructs our growth in grace -- renders our service to God but partial -- begets doubts and fears -- hinders usefulness, and produces distressing convictions of moral deficiency, how can we neglect its extermination with impunity? "This is the will of God even your sanctification." It is His will both permissively and authoritatively. Can we resist God's will with impunity?
Bishop Foster beautifully says: "Motives to holiness! where shall we not go to find them? What direction shall we take to elude them? Are they not everywhere? Do they not come down from the heavens, and spring up from the earth? Do we not feel them within, and behold them without us? Is there anything that has a voice that does not preach it? Nay, do not even mute and dumb things urge it with silent but persuasive eloquence? What is heaven but an eternal monument of its glory? What is hell but a terrible and endless declaration of its necessity? The happiness of the former and the anguish of the latter equally impress it upon the hearts of thoughtless mortals. Indeed, turn where we will, whether to time or eternity, to the throne or the abyss, a million arguments commend it to us, a million voices urge it upon us. -- Christian Purity, p. 184.
Reader, we are approaching a holy God, a holy heaven, and a company of saints and angels who cry: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty; heaven and earth are full of his glory."
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