BLJ: It is good to be a well prepared holiness soldier and be able to answer questions about holiness.
What course do many professors of religion pursue in regard to Christian holiness?
They pursue much the same course in respect to it, that sinners do in respect to justification; they neglect it, and endeavor to justify themselves in so doing by various excuses. There is a striking similarity in the excuses presented by the impenitent for not seeking religion, and those made by professors for not seeking holiness.
What are they, and what is your reply to them?
1. "I am not clear in my views of Christian holiness."
You are clear that God requires it; that he has made provision for it; that he promises it; that you need it, and that the Church needs it. The sinner presents the same excuse, "I am not clear in my views of religion," as a reason for his neglect of seeking regeneration. You say to the sinner, what we say to you, -- he has sufficient light in regard to religion to see that it is both a duty and a privilege to seek it. The Christian with the light of justifying grace, can see that he ought to be cleansed from all sin, so as to love God with all his heart. "If any man will do his will," says Christ, "he shall know of the doctrine."
2. "I regard entire sanctification a great blessing, too great for me to obtain."
If it is too great for you to obtain, it is too great for God to require of you. That it is a great thing we gladly admit. You have a great Saviour. He died to secure great results, and can "save to the uttermost." He says, All things are possible to him that believeth." Will you believe the Lord Jesus Christ? Can he lie, or did he ever deceive anybody? Unbelievers present this excuse for not seeking religion -- "It is a great thing to be a Christian." You tell them the provisions of' the gospel are ample, mighty, divine. Are they?
3. "If I attempt to seek holiness, I am fearful I shall fail."
You need not fail. If you do, it will be your own fault. The Bible encourages no such idea; and that should be the rule of our faith and practice, and not our imagination. Holiness is sought by consecration, prayer, and faith. Will not such efforts to secure a pure heart be attended with happy results upon Christian life and character, even though there be a failure to obtain the clear witness of entire sanctification? The impenitent make the same excuse about seeking religion. The reply made to them will answer this objection.
4. "I have known persons who professed holiness to do things which are wrong, and thereby gave no evidence of holiness."
This we do not deny; though you may misjudge or lack charity. Admitting it to be true, is it not a reason why you should be entirely sanctified, and so "let your light shine " as to disabuse the minds of men regarding this precious doctrine? This is the standing objection of wicked men against seeking salvation. Do you justify sinners in neglecting Christ, because so many professors give no evidence of being saved? St. Paul says, "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth."
What course do many professors of religion pursue in regard to Christian holiness?
They pursue much the same course in respect to it, that sinners do in respect to justification; they neglect it, and endeavor to justify themselves in so doing by various excuses. There is a striking similarity in the excuses presented by the impenitent for not seeking religion, and those made by professors for not seeking holiness.
What are they, and what is your reply to them?
1. "I am not clear in my views of Christian holiness."
You are clear that God requires it; that he has made provision for it; that he promises it; that you need it, and that the Church needs it. The sinner presents the same excuse, "I am not clear in my views of religion," as a reason for his neglect of seeking regeneration. You say to the sinner, what we say to you, -- he has sufficient light in regard to religion to see that it is both a duty and a privilege to seek it. The Christian with the light of justifying grace, can see that he ought to be cleansed from all sin, so as to love God with all his heart. "If any man will do his will," says Christ, "he shall know of the doctrine."
2. "I regard entire sanctification a great blessing, too great for me to obtain."
If it is too great for you to obtain, it is too great for God to require of you. That it is a great thing we gladly admit. You have a great Saviour. He died to secure great results, and can "save to the uttermost." He says, All things are possible to him that believeth." Will you believe the Lord Jesus Christ? Can he lie, or did he ever deceive anybody? Unbelievers present this excuse for not seeking religion -- "It is a great thing to be a Christian." You tell them the provisions of' the gospel are ample, mighty, divine. Are they?
3. "If I attempt to seek holiness, I am fearful I shall fail."
You need not fail. If you do, it will be your own fault. The Bible encourages no such idea; and that should be the rule of our faith and practice, and not our imagination. Holiness is sought by consecration, prayer, and faith. Will not such efforts to secure a pure heart be attended with happy results upon Christian life and character, even though there be a failure to obtain the clear witness of entire sanctification? The impenitent make the same excuse about seeking religion. The reply made to them will answer this objection.
4. "I have known persons who professed holiness to do things which are wrong, and thereby gave no evidence of holiness."
This we do not deny; though you may misjudge or lack charity. Admitting it to be true, is it not a reason why you should be entirely sanctified, and so "let your light shine " as to disabuse the minds of men regarding this precious doctrine? This is the standing objection of wicked men against seeking salvation. Do you justify sinners in neglecting Christ, because so many professors give no evidence of being saved? St. Paul says, "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth."
5. "Some have obtained it and lost it, and I fear I should lose it."
Is the fact that good men have lost grace and become vicious, a reason why bad men should not seek grace and become good? The excuse, "I should not be able to live religion if I had it," is common among sinners. It takes no more grace to keep men saved than it does to save them; and St. Paul asserts, "My grace is sufficient," and God "is able to make all grace abound toward you."
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