BLJ: Today's lesson comes from J.A. Wood's Perfect Love. This is an excellent book that answers just about any question on the subject of entire sanctification. I received my copy from my mentor, Rev. Herbert Norton. Essentially, what it takes to get sanctified is what it takes to stay sanctified.
How may a state of entire sanctification be retained?
There are many who once enjoyed the blessing of perfect love who have now lost it. Some have received it several times, and, after all, are now without it. The conditions of retaining perfect love, like the conditions of retaining justification, are the same as those by which it was obtained; namely, a complete submission of the soul to God, and simple faith in Christ for present salvation. This submission and faith, graduated by increasing light and grace, must continue through life if perfect love be retained. To retain this grace; --
1. You must maintain a continuous, entire consecration -- a complete self-abandonment to God. "The altar sanctifieth the gift;" and it is only when our all is upon the altar of consecration that we can be in a state of sanctification. No part of the price can ever be taken back if we would retain the witness of perfect love. Your consecration must continue complete, corresponding with increasing light, through all your life; and you will have occasion to watch yourself, and guard this point thoroughly. Keep yourself, your all, submitted to God.
2. To retain full salvation, you must continue to believe. "The just shall live by faith." We are "kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation." As soon as people cease to believe, they lose the blessing; for "we stand by faith." Sanctified Paul said: "The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God." Faith is the vital bond between the renovated soul and God; and by it we are to abide in Christ, as the branch abides in the vine.
3. To retain the witness of the Spirit, and continue in the light of purity, you must confess it.
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." The fear of man often hinders people from this duty. This fear, which brings a snare, must be overcome. Many have resisted the Holy Spirit when they ought to have confessed
How may a state of entire sanctification be retained?
There are many who once enjoyed the blessing of perfect love who have now lost it. Some have received it several times, and, after all, are now without it. The conditions of retaining perfect love, like the conditions of retaining justification, are the same as those by which it was obtained; namely, a complete submission of the soul to God, and simple faith in Christ for present salvation. This submission and faith, graduated by increasing light and grace, must continue through life if perfect love be retained. To retain this grace; --
1. You must maintain a continuous, entire consecration -- a complete self-abandonment to God. "The altar sanctifieth the gift;" and it is only when our all is upon the altar of consecration that we can be in a state of sanctification. No part of the price can ever be taken back if we would retain the witness of perfect love. Your consecration must continue complete, corresponding with increasing light, through all your life; and you will have occasion to watch yourself, and guard this point thoroughly. Keep yourself, your all, submitted to God.
2. To retain full salvation, you must continue to believe. "The just shall live by faith." We are "kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation." As soon as people cease to believe, they lose the blessing; for "we stand by faith." Sanctified Paul said: "The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God." Faith is the vital bond between the renovated soul and God; and by it we are to abide in Christ, as the branch abides in the vine.
3. To retain the witness of the Spirit, and continue in the light of purity, you must confess it.
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." The fear of man often hinders people from this duty. This fear, which brings a snare, must be overcome. Many have resisted the Holy Spirit when they ought to have confessed
the blessing; and in this way have lost it. Confessing entire sanctification does not exalt self; it humbles the soul, and gives glory to God. The call for clear witnesses and specific testimony for holiness, is more imperative in some places than in others, as in many places the witnesses for perfect love are very scarce and greatly needed. (See Section X.)
4. You must live constantly in the spirit of self-denial.
We must deny ourselves of everything sinful, and also of everything doubtful. "And he that doubteth is damned [condemned] if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Thousands have fallen by lawful things. It is not expedient for a sanctified soul to indulge in every gratification which is not expressly forbidden in Scripture. We are to "abstain from all appearance of evil."
5. You must live in the spirit of watchfulness.
Watch over your heart, and keep it "with all diligence." Watch over your lips, and be jealous of your tongue, and guard against a light and trifling spirit, by which multitudes have fallen into darkness and ruin. Watch for seasons of prayer and special communion with God. Watch for opportunities of doing and for receiving good. Watch against the allurements of the world, and against everything that is sensual, and has a tendency to lull the soul to sleep. Watch against temptations, and resist them in a moment -- steadfast in the faith. "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
6. You must be faithful to the teachings and drawings of the Holy Spirit.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." We must follow the Spirit of God, let consequences be what they may. The Holy Spirit will remind you of duty; you must instantly obey. The Spirit is very easily grieved, and you must promptly attend to all his teachings, or you may in a moment forfeit full redemption. His chosen emblem is the tender dove, and it will take its flight if its gentle monitions be not heeded.
The Spirit teaches and guides mainly by illumination, and little by impressions. He throws light upon nature and providence, but especially upon the Scriptures and our minds, illuminating the sacred page and our path, leading us to truth and duty. His teaching always accords with the word, hence we are not to look for dreams, visions, or impressions; these may have served their purpose in the earlier and darker dispensation. We have now, the voice of the Spirit -- the Bible. No measure of the Spirit can supersede the written word. We should never assume "wisdom above what is written."
4. You must live constantly in the spirit of self-denial.
We must deny ourselves of everything sinful, and also of everything doubtful. "And he that doubteth is damned [condemned] if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Thousands have fallen by lawful things. It is not expedient for a sanctified soul to indulge in every gratification which is not expressly forbidden in Scripture. We are to "abstain from all appearance of evil."
5. You must live in the spirit of watchfulness.
Watch over your heart, and keep it "with all diligence." Watch over your lips, and be jealous of your tongue, and guard against a light and trifling spirit, by which multitudes have fallen into darkness and ruin. Watch for seasons of prayer and special communion with God. Watch for opportunities of doing and for receiving good. Watch against the allurements of the world, and against everything that is sensual, and has a tendency to lull the soul to sleep. Watch against temptations, and resist them in a moment -- steadfast in the faith. "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
6. You must be faithful to the teachings and drawings of the Holy Spirit.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." We must follow the Spirit of God, let consequences be what they may. The Holy Spirit will remind you of duty; you must instantly obey. The Spirit is very easily grieved, and you must promptly attend to all his teachings, or you may in a moment forfeit full redemption. His chosen emblem is the tender dove, and it will take its flight if its gentle monitions be not heeded.
The Spirit teaches and guides mainly by illumination, and little by impressions. He throws light upon nature and providence, but especially upon the Scriptures and our minds, illuminating the sacred page and our path, leading us to truth and duty. His teaching always accords with the word, hence we are not to look for dreams, visions, or impressions; these may have served their purpose in the earlier and darker dispensation. We have now, the voice of the Spirit -- the Bible. No measure of the Spirit can supersede the written word. We should never assume "wisdom above what is written."
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