BLJ: Entire Sanctification has several expressions that mean the same thing. Today, we read about them.
EXPRESSIONS OF SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS
There is an old poem of several blind men who were examining an elephant for the first time. One took hold of a leg saying, "An elephant is like a tree!" Another pulled down an ear and said, "An elephant is like a fan!" Another, pushing with both hands against the side said, "No, an elephant is like a wall!" The one who took hold of the trunk felt it begin to twist around and he said, "Oh, an elephant is like a snake!" One, feeling the tusk, said, "The elephant is like a spear." The last took hold of the tail and said, "I have it, an elephant is like a rope!" Each one was correct. The six men were simply expressing different features of the "giant of the jungle."
The holiness people also use various Scriptures to express the great experience. Other expressions, while not found in Scripture, are still valid for they have the Scripture's support.
The following terms and expressions are used throughout the holiness movement:
Sanctification -- There are two basic meanings. 1. To set apart, consecrate 2. To make clean or pure.
Entire sanctification -- "Entire sanctification is a second definite work of grace, wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer subsequent to regeneration, received instantly by faith, by which the heart is cleansed from all corruption and filled with the perfect love of God." [2]
Holiness -- The two terms sanctification and holiness are often used interchangeably. Sanctification is the experience that makes holy. Holiness is the continuing state of the sanctified. It implies a character that is Godlike.
The fullness of the blessing -- To one who has experienced both forgiveness and cleansing this term expresses the full benefits of Christ's death and resurrection and is what is meant by the term full salvation.
The deeper life -- This term addresses an entire range of living beyond the work of the new birth. It speaks of a relationship with the Lord that is deeper than the average Christian enjoys.
The second work of grace -- The first work of grace is termed justification or forgiveness. The second work of grace is experienced when the believer's carnal nature is eradicated, and he is filled with the Holy Spirit.
Heart purity -- This term expresses the conscious removal of inbred sin with its depravities and the infilling of the heart with pure and perfect love.
Perfect love -- A person loves God with all his heart, mind, soul and strength and his neighbor as himself. One's interpersonal relationships with others is Christlike.
Christian perfection -- "A perfect Christian is one who loves the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength." [3]
Crucifixion of the old man -- A physical death is not implied, but a death to the sin and carnal self influence. Christians are to reckon themselves dead unto sin (Romans 6:11).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost -- Fire is a symbol of purification. Christ's purifying fire separates the chaff from the wheat and refines moral impurities from the nature.
A more excellent way -- The way of love is expressed in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. It is superior to "prophesies which will fail; tongues which will cease; knowledge which will vanish."
The Spirit filled life -- The life is conquered, cleansed and under the control of the Spirit, without the rivalry of the carnal mind.
Resurrection life -- The new freedom, power and joy that results from inward crucifixion and death to sin is expressed in this term.
The rest of faith -- It expresses the perfect trust of those who are wholly sanctified.
The abundant life -- The holy life is a wholesome life. The idea that the sanctified Christian is now experiencing full spiritual health and enjoyment in the Lord is expressed with this term.
Friday, July 31, 2020
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Refuse to be Sidetracked
REFUSE TO BE SIDETRACKED
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering, into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1).
Satan is enraged when Christians earnestly seek the experience of entire sanctification. He now vigorously beats a drum in hell to rally every demon possible, especially those adept with skills to sidetrack the earnest seeker. "Every evil force in the world," said Alva Turner, "is opposed to holiness, and every force in the world opposed to holiness is an evil force."
It is a huge mistake to assume that a promising good start is all that is necessary.
How often do those who have gone "forward" to a public altar, put themselves on "record" as a candidate for heart purity, offered apologies or asked for the prayers of the saints, conclude that they are thereby out of spiritual danger. How natural, with the warm flush of emotion, tears and relief to assume one's spiritual crisis is past. A good start is encouraging but read again these words:
"Lest... any of you should seem to come short of it."
Let us consider those who appeared to have started in obedience to the Lord but for one reason or another failed to go all the way through with the Lord.
SOME WHO CAME SHORT
Cain was rejected at the place of the altar (Gen. 4).
Lot's wife, having been escorted from the doomed city by angels and warned of them not to look back, nevertheless disobeyed and Divine judgment instantly fell (Gen. 19).
Israel with the fruits of Canaan in their hands as samples of the promised land rebelled; and at Kadesh God said, "Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. Neither shall any of them that provoked me see it" (Numbers 14:29). (Note that Numbers 14 is the context of the scripture that heads this chapter).
King Saul rationalized the command of God, spared Amelek and their chief, Agag, and was rejected by the Lord to the sorrow of Samuel (1 Sam. 15).
A rich young ruler earnestly inquires of Jesus the reason for his spiritual lack. When Jesus tells him what he must do, the young man found the price too high and sorrowfully went away (Matt. 19).
Judas Iscariot, seated close to Jesus, experienced holy impressions, unlike any he had known before; yet left the hallowed place, became the willing tool of Satan and went to hell! (John 13).
When professors of religion who were once enlightened, who tasted of the heavenly gift , were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and who tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come deliberately fall away, spiritual wreckage is their certain fate. It becomes impossible for them to be renewed unto repentance. Such as these end on the scrap heap. What a serious warning (Heb. 6:4-6).
Here are a few Bible tragedies of persons whom Satan sidetracked and caused to fail God. The following will help to avoid such tragedies.
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering, into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1).
Satan is enraged when Christians earnestly seek the experience of entire sanctification. He now vigorously beats a drum in hell to rally every demon possible, especially those adept with skills to sidetrack the earnest seeker. "Every evil force in the world," said Alva Turner, "is opposed to holiness, and every force in the world opposed to holiness is an evil force."
It is a huge mistake to assume that a promising good start is all that is necessary.
How often do those who have gone "forward" to a public altar, put themselves on "record" as a candidate for heart purity, offered apologies or asked for the prayers of the saints, conclude that they are thereby out of spiritual danger. How natural, with the warm flush of emotion, tears and relief to assume one's spiritual crisis is past. A good start is encouraging but read again these words:
"Lest... any of you should seem to come short of it."
Let us consider those who appeared to have started in obedience to the Lord but for one reason or another failed to go all the way through with the Lord.
SOME WHO CAME SHORT
Cain was rejected at the place of the altar (Gen. 4).
Lot's wife, having been escorted from the doomed city by angels and warned of them not to look back, nevertheless disobeyed and Divine judgment instantly fell (Gen. 19).
Israel with the fruits of Canaan in their hands as samples of the promised land rebelled; and at Kadesh God said, "Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. Neither shall any of them that provoked me see it" (Numbers 14:29). (Note that Numbers 14 is the context of the scripture that heads this chapter).
King Saul rationalized the command of God, spared Amelek and their chief, Agag, and was rejected by the Lord to the sorrow of Samuel (1 Sam. 15).
A rich young ruler earnestly inquires of Jesus the reason for his spiritual lack. When Jesus tells him what he must do, the young man found the price too high and sorrowfully went away (Matt. 19).
Judas Iscariot, seated close to Jesus, experienced holy impressions, unlike any he had known before; yet left the hallowed place, became the willing tool of Satan and went to hell! (John 13).
When professors of religion who were once enlightened, who tasted of the heavenly gift , were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and who tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come deliberately fall away, spiritual wreckage is their certain fate. It becomes impossible for them to be renewed unto repentance. Such as these end on the scrap heap. What a serious warning (Heb. 6:4-6).
Here are a few Bible tragedies of persons whom Satan sidetracked and caused to fail God. The following will help to avoid such tragedies.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: The Essentials Part 2
3. Perception Is Essential
It is said that the physical miracles of Jesus in some way prefigure His intent of grace. Thus, the healing of a leper typifies the cleansing of inward depravity. This, too, may be illustrated with the miracles of giving sight to the blind (Mark 8:24-25). When Jesus touched the blind man, he asked him about his sight; and the man replied, "I see men as trees walking" At the "second touch," Jesus asked the blind man to look up; and when he did so, he "saw every man clearly." Mrs. F. E. Hill uses this picture as a type of the second work of grace, saying:
"Light, perfect light shines on this holy way,
Twice He touched my blinded eyes,
Sight, perfect sight my vision has today,
Healed by Blood that sanctifies." [4]
Spiritual clear sightedness is an essential of entire sanctification. Jesus insists upon our teaching and preaching His word and this can only be accomplished as the Spirit of God lifts the veil from our darkened comprehension and illuminates our understanding. Until the disciples were sanctified and Spirit filled our Lord had to limit in His teaching.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you" (John 14:15-17).
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he shall shew it unto you" (John 16:12-14).
The apostle Paul also was limited in teaching his converts at Corinth for the carnal nature again was hindering these believers from hearing and appreciating the deeper Gospel truths. He told them so:
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it; neither yet now are ye able" (1 Cor. 3:1-2).
The Holy Spirit, then, was to be Revealer, Reminder, Guide and Teacher in the absence of Jesus. The Holy Spirit of truth would indwell them and keep them from serious doctrinal error as well as from evil. His illumination would assure them of greater spiritual accuracy, showing them how to live the holy life, present the gospel of holiness to the world, and lead the flock of God into the experience and life of the sanctified. Certainly, this promised feature of the Spirit's baptism is essential to each Christian today; for our age is marked with apostasy. The Laodicean church is its truest picture.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see" (Rev. 3:17-18).
With the Baptism of purity comes the blessing of increased perception. The promise of Jesus that "the pure in heart shall see God" becomes a blessed reality. The sanctified have clearer vision on how to walk with God, testify, preach, teach the message to others, and lead earnest seekers into this great blessing.
On the Pacific coast, wicked men known as "Land Pirates" deceived and plundered sailing vessels caught in severe storms and searching for some harbor of safety. It is said that they attached lighted lanterns to horses, ponies and donkeys. By walking them rapidly over the sand dunes in two columns spread wide apart, they made the appearance of harbor lights. Mariners, desperate to guide their vessels to safety, followed these false lights until they were smashed upon hidden rocks or reefs just beneath the ocean surface. Impaled upon the rocks and battered by the waves, few seaman survived. When the weather cleared and dawn came, the "Land Pirates" rode to the wreckage and salvaged what treasures survived.
Our age of high technology has spawned many dangerous philosophies, cults and weird religions. By these twisted, anti-God teachings, great numbers have been deceived and spiritually plundered. Only the pure, loving and perceptive Bible Church can guide seekers for truth and heaven into a safe harbor. If we would not garble the Bible message and spread false doctrine to further increase the moral confusion already so widespread, we must be sanctified and taught the Holy Scriptures by their author, the Holy Spirit. One of the works of the flesh is termed... "heresies" (Gal. 5:19-20).
Jesus positively forbade His church to attempt any evangelism or gospel work until the Divine Teacher had not only purified their hearts and filled them with the kindly holy fruits of divine love but had also established the Holy Ghost as Teacher upon the throne of their understanding. Peter is an outstanding example of this. It is both amazing and instructive to observe Peter, the Spirit-filled, as his heart and mind is cleared for spiritual accuracy and application. The prophesy of Joel now has personal meaning for himself, for those to whom he is preaching and "for all that are afar off" (Acts 2:39). Further, the new converts "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine" (verse 42) on a "daily" basis (verse 46) and with the Lord's blessing, adding "to the church daily such as should be saved" (verse 47).
Reader, if one willfully retains the carnal mind it will warp one's thinking concerning vital Christianity, holiness and service to this present age.
4. Power Is Essential
As we have seen, the power of the Holy Spirit is to attend the experience of entire sanctification. Jesus promised, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
Power for Stability
It is not especially power to do but essentially to keep alive and working what already has been done, i.e., power to keep pure in the midst of a morally corrupt society and power to retain perfect love in the various interpersonal relationships with people with whom we associate. In short, the Holy Spirit's power is essential to retaining the blessing of entire sanctification.
The Apostle Paul well understood the need for this power to steady and establish his young converts. Instability among them, even the best of his congregations and with the best of the Christians, was constantly on his mind. For this very reason, he wrote the Thessalonians of his concern that they be sanctified.
"Night and day praying exceedingly that we might perfect that which is lacking in your faith... To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thess. 3:10, 13).
The experience of entire sanctification is calculated to correct the "up and down" experience, take the "wobble" out of our walk and give constant victory in the place of spiritual vacillation. It is said that God will never call you where his grace cannot keep you. The sanctified need the Spirit's power to cleave unto the Lord at all times, enabling them to withstand compromise with dead religion, suffer for the cause of vital piety and... "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). It is a big order, but the Spirit is adequate for spiritual stability.
Power for Service
The Spirit's power is also necessary for effective service. The power of the Spirit will keep you in a humble place, a hard place, or even in a hated place enabling you as a purged... "vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21) to make a telling and lasting spiritual difference in your work by your witness.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zech. 4:6).
Power to Suffer
Some have understood the words of Jesus: "Ye shall be witnesses unto me" (Acts 1:8) as implying martyrs. These argue that the witnesses of Revelation were martyrs and that our Lord intended the saints should have the power of the Spirit both to speak and to suffer for Him. As to this interpretation being correct, we have no comment; but certainly the baptism of the Holy Ghost enabled the early church to suffer great hardships for Christ and His cause. The Holy Spirit is continuing to do so today. We must, therefore, say for the encouragement of all the sanctified, that God's grace for suffering in Jesus' name will accompany the great blessing of heart holiness.
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
"Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Reader, you will be seeking that which is scriptural when asking the Lord for the experience of entire sanctification that will:
1. purify your heart from the nature of inbred sin,
2. yield the fruit of perfect love,
3. establish the Holy Spirit upon the throne of your understanding for spiritual guidance,
4. empower you to retain this work of grace and enable you to become a useful worker and witness in the Lord's service.
Seek entire sanctification now! It is for us all today. "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24).
Yes! Even your sanctification!
It is said that the physical miracles of Jesus in some way prefigure His intent of grace. Thus, the healing of a leper typifies the cleansing of inward depravity. This, too, may be illustrated with the miracles of giving sight to the blind (Mark 8:24-25). When Jesus touched the blind man, he asked him about his sight; and the man replied, "I see men as trees walking" At the "second touch," Jesus asked the blind man to look up; and when he did so, he "saw every man clearly." Mrs. F. E. Hill uses this picture as a type of the second work of grace, saying:
"Light, perfect light shines on this holy way,
Twice He touched my blinded eyes,
Sight, perfect sight my vision has today,
Healed by Blood that sanctifies." [4]
Spiritual clear sightedness is an essential of entire sanctification. Jesus insists upon our teaching and preaching His word and this can only be accomplished as the Spirit of God lifts the veil from our darkened comprehension and illuminates our understanding. Until the disciples were sanctified and Spirit filled our Lord had to limit in His teaching.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you" (John 14:15-17).
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he shall shew it unto you" (John 16:12-14).
The apostle Paul also was limited in teaching his converts at Corinth for the carnal nature again was hindering these believers from hearing and appreciating the deeper Gospel truths. He told them so:
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it; neither yet now are ye able" (1 Cor. 3:1-2).
The Holy Spirit, then, was to be Revealer, Reminder, Guide and Teacher in the absence of Jesus. The Holy Spirit of truth would indwell them and keep them from serious doctrinal error as well as from evil. His illumination would assure them of greater spiritual accuracy, showing them how to live the holy life, present the gospel of holiness to the world, and lead the flock of God into the experience and life of the sanctified. Certainly, this promised feature of the Spirit's baptism is essential to each Christian today; for our age is marked with apostasy. The Laodicean church is its truest picture.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see" (Rev. 3:17-18).
With the Baptism of purity comes the blessing of increased perception. The promise of Jesus that "the pure in heart shall see God" becomes a blessed reality. The sanctified have clearer vision on how to walk with God, testify, preach, teach the message to others, and lead earnest seekers into this great blessing.
On the Pacific coast, wicked men known as "Land Pirates" deceived and plundered sailing vessels caught in severe storms and searching for some harbor of safety. It is said that they attached lighted lanterns to horses, ponies and donkeys. By walking them rapidly over the sand dunes in two columns spread wide apart, they made the appearance of harbor lights. Mariners, desperate to guide their vessels to safety, followed these false lights until they were smashed upon hidden rocks or reefs just beneath the ocean surface. Impaled upon the rocks and battered by the waves, few seaman survived. When the weather cleared and dawn came, the "Land Pirates" rode to the wreckage and salvaged what treasures survived.
Our age of high technology has spawned many dangerous philosophies, cults and weird religions. By these twisted, anti-God teachings, great numbers have been deceived and spiritually plundered. Only the pure, loving and perceptive Bible Church can guide seekers for truth and heaven into a safe harbor. If we would not garble the Bible message and spread false doctrine to further increase the moral confusion already so widespread, we must be sanctified and taught the Holy Scriptures by their author, the Holy Spirit. One of the works of the flesh is termed... "heresies" (Gal. 5:19-20).
Jesus positively forbade His church to attempt any evangelism or gospel work until the Divine Teacher had not only purified their hearts and filled them with the kindly holy fruits of divine love but had also established the Holy Ghost as Teacher upon the throne of their understanding. Peter is an outstanding example of this. It is both amazing and instructive to observe Peter, the Spirit-filled, as his heart and mind is cleared for spiritual accuracy and application. The prophesy of Joel now has personal meaning for himself, for those to whom he is preaching and "for all that are afar off" (Acts 2:39). Further, the new converts "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine" (verse 42) on a "daily" basis (verse 46) and with the Lord's blessing, adding "to the church daily such as should be saved" (verse 47).
Reader, if one willfully retains the carnal mind it will warp one's thinking concerning vital Christianity, holiness and service to this present age.
4. Power Is Essential
As we have seen, the power of the Holy Spirit is to attend the experience of entire sanctification. Jesus promised, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
Power for Stability
It is not especially power to do but essentially to keep alive and working what already has been done, i.e., power to keep pure in the midst of a morally corrupt society and power to retain perfect love in the various interpersonal relationships with people with whom we associate. In short, the Holy Spirit's power is essential to retaining the blessing of entire sanctification.
The Apostle Paul well understood the need for this power to steady and establish his young converts. Instability among them, even the best of his congregations and with the best of the Christians, was constantly on his mind. For this very reason, he wrote the Thessalonians of his concern that they be sanctified.
"Night and day praying exceedingly that we might perfect that which is lacking in your faith... To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thess. 3:10, 13).
The experience of entire sanctification is calculated to correct the "up and down" experience, take the "wobble" out of our walk and give constant victory in the place of spiritual vacillation. It is said that God will never call you where his grace cannot keep you. The sanctified need the Spirit's power to cleave unto the Lord at all times, enabling them to withstand compromise with dead religion, suffer for the cause of vital piety and... "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). It is a big order, but the Spirit is adequate for spiritual stability.
Power for Service
The Spirit's power is also necessary for effective service. The power of the Spirit will keep you in a humble place, a hard place, or even in a hated place enabling you as a purged... "vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21) to make a telling and lasting spiritual difference in your work by your witness.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zech. 4:6).
Power to Suffer
Some have understood the words of Jesus: "Ye shall be witnesses unto me" (Acts 1:8) as implying martyrs. These argue that the witnesses of Revelation were martyrs and that our Lord intended the saints should have the power of the Spirit both to speak and to suffer for Him. As to this interpretation being correct, we have no comment; but certainly the baptism of the Holy Ghost enabled the early church to suffer great hardships for Christ and His cause. The Holy Spirit is continuing to do so today. We must, therefore, say for the encouragement of all the sanctified, that God's grace for suffering in Jesus' name will accompany the great blessing of heart holiness.
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
"Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Reader, you will be seeking that which is scriptural when asking the Lord for the experience of entire sanctification that will:
1. purify your heart from the nature of inbred sin,
2. yield the fruit of perfect love,
3. establish the Holy Spirit upon the throne of your understanding for spiritual guidance,
4. empower you to retain this work of grace and enable you to become a useful worker and witness in the Lord's service.
Seek entire sanctification now! It is for us all today. "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24).
Yes! Even your sanctification!
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: The Essentials Part 1
ESSENTIALS OF SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS
The Acts of the Apostles affords us a picture of the sanctified life as was taught by Jesus and further expounded in the New Testament epistles. There are four basic objectives that the Holy Spirit achieved in the lives of those early disciples; and these, we are sure, are the essentials for today.
1. Heart Purity Is Essential
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).
"Purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9).
"Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:8).
The Mind. The Lord intends to purify the mind, which includes the imagination and the thought processes, by replacing the carnal mind. which is death, and establishing a spiritual mind, which is life and peace.
The Conscience. Further, the Lord desires to purge and enliven the conscience so that it may then successfully filter out impurities before they enter the interior life.
The Affections and Lusts. Carnal affections and lusts, i.e. our inordinate desires, must be purged from unholy idols. Thus, the Christian may love God supremely.
The Motives. The motives which so often indicate a dual worship of double mindedness between the carnal self and the Lord Jesus, must be purged so that one may have an eye single to God's glory.
The Will. The stubborn will which has long been a rebel to the Lord's authority must be surrendered to the Lord. One has said, "God cannot reign in the life that already has a sovereign."
Pray, then, that the Lord will purify your heart and make it as clean as the sanctifying Spirit desires.
2. Perfect Love Is Essential
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself" (Luke 10:27).
"Herein is our love make perfect... ...Perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:17-18).
In Acts 1:8 the Lord Jesus promised the power of the Holy Spirit. His Church, then, might truly be His witness to the world. Notice the progression in the great commission. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and, finally, the world. Each in its order is to experience a church bearing the fruits of divine love.
Jerusalem
It is interesting to note that disciples would then be Christlike, first in Jerusalem. Here were the temple and daily sacrifices and all that was central to their religious life. Here, also, was the scene of their betrayal and denial of Jesus, where the little band fell apart and the world looked on and laughed at their inability to get along with each other.
Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Divine love was to be the true badge of discipleship and an essential mark of the Spirit-filled life. The world was scoffing at their carnal bickering and backsliding. It still does! How Christians need to be sanctified today so as to get along with "the household of faith," the brothers and sisters with whom we worship, so that the "sanctified unity" for which Jesus prayed in John 17 might be realized.
Judea
Judea must also be convinced of the genuineness of perfect love, for they are the community at large. These represent our next door neighbors, the people with whom we trade and shop and where "squabbles" take place every day. We know them -- the haughty, arrogant, egotistical, inconsiderate, rude, discourteous, selfish people -- the people we know that are both irritable and irritating! They are impossible people!
Samaria
Samaria, also, must have the "witness" to holiness. To Jewish believers the Samaritans were half-breeds, their enemies and among whom they were to have no dealings. Racial prejudice was strong, and hatred seemed legitimate. The powerful work of entire sanctification was necessary if the Samaritans would be won for Christ.
The World
Finally, the sanctified would demonstrate perfect love to the superstitious and savage heathen nations, where not only racial but national barriers would have to be surmounted.
The Acts of the Apostles affords us a picture of the sanctified life as was taught by Jesus and further expounded in the New Testament epistles. There are four basic objectives that the Holy Spirit achieved in the lives of those early disciples; and these, we are sure, are the essentials for today.
1. Heart Purity Is Essential
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).
"Purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9).
"Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:8).
The Mind. The Lord intends to purify the mind, which includes the imagination and the thought processes, by replacing the carnal mind. which is death, and establishing a spiritual mind, which is life and peace.
The Conscience. Further, the Lord desires to purge and enliven the conscience so that it may then successfully filter out impurities before they enter the interior life.
The Affections and Lusts. Carnal affections and lusts, i.e. our inordinate desires, must be purged from unholy idols. Thus, the Christian may love God supremely.
The Motives. The motives which so often indicate a dual worship of double mindedness between the carnal self and the Lord Jesus, must be purged so that one may have an eye single to God's glory.
The Will. The stubborn will which has long been a rebel to the Lord's authority must be surrendered to the Lord. One has said, "God cannot reign in the life that already has a sovereign."
Pray, then, that the Lord will purify your heart and make it as clean as the sanctifying Spirit desires.
2. Perfect Love Is Essential
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself" (Luke 10:27).
"Herein is our love make perfect... ...Perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:17-18).
In Acts 1:8 the Lord Jesus promised the power of the Holy Spirit. His Church, then, might truly be His witness to the world. Notice the progression in the great commission. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and, finally, the world. Each in its order is to experience a church bearing the fruits of divine love.
Jerusalem
It is interesting to note that disciples would then be Christlike, first in Jerusalem. Here were the temple and daily sacrifices and all that was central to their religious life. Here, also, was the scene of their betrayal and denial of Jesus, where the little band fell apart and the world looked on and laughed at their inability to get along with each other.
Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Divine love was to be the true badge of discipleship and an essential mark of the Spirit-filled life. The world was scoffing at their carnal bickering and backsliding. It still does! How Christians need to be sanctified today so as to get along with "the household of faith," the brothers and sisters with whom we worship, so that the "sanctified unity" for which Jesus prayed in John 17 might be realized.
Judea
Judea must also be convinced of the genuineness of perfect love, for they are the community at large. These represent our next door neighbors, the people with whom we trade and shop and where "squabbles" take place every day. We know them -- the haughty, arrogant, egotistical, inconsiderate, rude, discourteous, selfish people -- the people we know that are both irritable and irritating! They are impossible people!
Samaria
Samaria, also, must have the "witness" to holiness. To Jewish believers the Samaritans were half-breeds, their enemies and among whom they were to have no dealings. Racial prejudice was strong, and hatred seemed legitimate. The powerful work of entire sanctification was necessary if the Samaritans would be won for Christ.
The World
Finally, the sanctified would demonstrate perfect love to the superstitious and savage heathen nations, where not only racial but national barriers would have to be surmounted.
Monday, July 27, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Scriptural Examples of Holiness
BLJ: If entire sanctification is a true doctrine, there must be Scriptural examples. Today, we read about them.
EXAMPLES OF SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS
Even in dark Old Testament times God had holy men, even perfect men. We will briefly name some of them:
Noah, (Gen. 6:9)
Job (Job 1:1, 7)
Abraham (Gen. 17:1)
Here are a few examples from the New Testament:
The apostles and disciples (John 17, Acts 2)
Appointed Church officials (Acts 6:3)
Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 6:5; 7:35)
The Samaritan Church (Acts 8:17)
The Romans at Caesarea (Acts 10:44-45)
The Apostle Paul (Acts 9:17; 13:9)
Laymen, Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:25-26)
The Greeks at Ephesus (Acts 19:4-6)
The New Testament epistles are filled with prayers and exhortations to believers to seek the experience of entire sanctification as a second work of grace. God intends that all nations should have representatives of full salvation, living proofs of wholly sanctified believers. All should be encouraged to seek this precious gift. Peter preached that the promise of the Spirit's fullness was to young and old alike and would follow to all succeeding generations.
"I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:17, 18, 39).
EXAMPLES OF SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS
Even in dark Old Testament times God had holy men, even perfect men. We will briefly name some of them:
Noah, (Gen. 6:9)
Job (Job 1:1, 7)
Abraham (Gen. 17:1)
Here are a few examples from the New Testament:
The apostles and disciples (John 17, Acts 2)
Appointed Church officials (Acts 6:3)
Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 6:5; 7:35)
The Samaritan Church (Acts 8:17)
The Romans at Caesarea (Acts 10:44-45)
The Apostle Paul (Acts 9:17; 13:9)
Laymen, Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:25-26)
The Greeks at Ephesus (Acts 19:4-6)
The New Testament epistles are filled with prayers and exhortations to believers to seek the experience of entire sanctification as a second work of grace. God intends that all nations should have representatives of full salvation, living proofs of wholly sanctified believers. All should be encouraged to seek this precious gift. Peter preached that the promise of the Spirit's fullness was to young and old alike and would follow to all succeeding generations.
"I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:17, 18, 39).
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Fourth Bible Study of the Quarter: A Watchman
Today's lesson comes from Ezekiel 33: 1-11. Ezekiel was commissioned to be a watchman in the third chapter of the book. There, as in these verses, Ezekiel is directed to preach to the wicked and to the righteous. Also, there was not a welcome response on the part of the listeners. Yet, Ezekiel had to be faithful to deliver the message God had laid on his heart. Chapters 12 through 24 of Ezekiel contain a variety of signs, messages, and parables. The parables include the fruitless vine, the adulterous woman, two eagles, two sisters, and a boiling pot. These messages were delivered against false prophets, idolatrous elders, and unfaithful Israelites. The section closes with the death of Ezekiel's wife. Ezekiel goes on to deliver messages against the surrounding nations. The chapter in this lesson begins with the recommissioning of Ezekiel. From this point in the book until the end, his messages to the exiled Jews take on a more positive note. Ezekiel will speak of a restoration and the millennial age.
The first section is "A Watchman Appointed." vv. 1-6 Many times God uses types, symbols, or signs to help us understand spiritual truths. Jesus used parables. God began the recommissioning Ezekiel with the account of the duties of a watchman. A watchman was selected to warn people of the approach of an enemy. The people trusted the watchman to have their best interests at heart. The watchman was to be alert and observant. When anger appeared, the watchman was to "blow the trumpet and warn the people." If the person did not heed the trumpet call, "his blood shall be upon his own head." In other words, it was his own fault. However, if the fault lie with the watchman, the blood of those slain God would "require at the watchman's hand." In other words, God would hold the watchman accountable.
Today, many in churches want an easy soft message that offends or challenges no one. They don't understand that the pastor is God's watchman for the church. If the pastor where you attend never discusses sin, hell, repentance, or holiness, you need to consider leaving for one that does. When I pastored, I never went more than 60 days without a message on hell and the consequences of living in sin. It was said of me that every message I preached had holiness in it. Someone sarcastically said that if I preached on the flowers of the Bible, I would turn it into a holiness message. I took it as a compliment. How is your watchman doing? Is he warning? Or, is he melting under the pressure to be inclusive of everyone and their sin? We need strong watchman that will stand against sin, preach against sin, and show the way out of sin!
The second section is "The Wicked Warned." vv. 7-9 God tells Ezekiel that He has set him as a watchman. Ezekiel was to be an intermediary. He would hear God’s message learning and communicate it to the people. God wanted the people to know that the wicked would surely die and be responsible for their sins. If Ezekiel didn’t warn them, God would require that blood from him for failing to warn them. For years I have said, that while I don’t fully understand the depth of this warning, I want to make sure it never applies to me. Ezekiel was told that if he did warn them to turn from their wicked way and they failed to turn, they would die in their sin but Ezekiel would not be responsible.
Pastors have a solemn duty. They are not CEOs running a business. They are not advice counselors. They are appointed by God to warn people to turn from their sins and be saved. In Acts 20:26, Paul said he was “pure from the blood of all men.” This is a reference to this passage. Pastors need to have the liberty to speak the truth to their congregations. Every church I have known had a “church boss.” This is a layman who thinks he/she knows more than the pastor and they want to direct the church. Generally, these folks are so carnal, but they don’t see it. They genuinely believe they know what is best. They supplant their will over the Scriptures that set forth the order of authority in the local church. May we all encourage our pastors to speak the truth in love that those in sin may turn from their iniquity and be saved from the wrath to come.
The third section is “Hope for the Despairing.” vv. 10,11 God's gracious invitation is found in the last two verses. Those to whom Ezekiel preached felt that judgment had already been passed upon their sins, and that they had passed beyond the point of being redeemed. Ezekiel was to assure them of God's love and intent to forgive. If they would repent and trust Him, they could be delivered from death, and given life instead. These verses portray the loving heart of God and His willingness to forgive. Some men love darkness rather than light. Our duty is to show them the way of life and present the gospel truth that God does not want any to perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The Golden Text is: "I have set watchman upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence. " (Isaiah 62:6) To be a watchman requires courage, constancy, vigilance and sobriety. Ministers must "never hold their peace." It is their duty to sound the alarm and warn the people and exhort them. There should be no pauses in sounding the alarm and warning of the dangers of sin. This is for all believers, not just for those called to the ministry.
My summary points:
1. The watchman must sound the alarm and warn people of coming danger.
2. If the minister fails to warn the people, their blood will be on his hands.
3. God desires all men to repent and be saved.
Next week, "The True Shepherd." Ezekiel 34: 11-26
Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
The first section is "A Watchman Appointed." vv. 1-6 Many times God uses types, symbols, or signs to help us understand spiritual truths. Jesus used parables. God began the recommissioning Ezekiel with the account of the duties of a watchman. A watchman was selected to warn people of the approach of an enemy. The people trusted the watchman to have their best interests at heart. The watchman was to be alert and observant. When anger appeared, the watchman was to "blow the trumpet and warn the people." If the person did not heed the trumpet call, "his blood shall be upon his own head." In other words, it was his own fault. However, if the fault lie with the watchman, the blood of those slain God would "require at the watchman's hand." In other words, God would hold the watchman accountable.
Today, many in churches want an easy soft message that offends or challenges no one. They don't understand that the pastor is God's watchman for the church. If the pastor where you attend never discusses sin, hell, repentance, or holiness, you need to consider leaving for one that does. When I pastored, I never went more than 60 days without a message on hell and the consequences of living in sin. It was said of me that every message I preached had holiness in it. Someone sarcastically said that if I preached on the flowers of the Bible, I would turn it into a holiness message. I took it as a compliment. How is your watchman doing? Is he warning? Or, is he melting under the pressure to be inclusive of everyone and their sin? We need strong watchman that will stand against sin, preach against sin, and show the way out of sin!
The second section is "The Wicked Warned." vv. 7-9 God tells Ezekiel that He has set him as a watchman. Ezekiel was to be an intermediary. He would hear God’s message learning and communicate it to the people. God wanted the people to know that the wicked would surely die and be responsible for their sins. If Ezekiel didn’t warn them, God would require that blood from him for failing to warn them. For years I have said, that while I don’t fully understand the depth of this warning, I want to make sure it never applies to me. Ezekiel was told that if he did warn them to turn from their wicked way and they failed to turn, they would die in their sin but Ezekiel would not be responsible.
Pastors have a solemn duty. They are not CEOs running a business. They are not advice counselors. They are appointed by God to warn people to turn from their sins and be saved. In Acts 20:26, Paul said he was “pure from the blood of all men.” This is a reference to this passage. Pastors need to have the liberty to speak the truth to their congregations. Every church I have known had a “church boss.” This is a layman who thinks he/she knows more than the pastor and they want to direct the church. Generally, these folks are so carnal, but they don’t see it. They genuinely believe they know what is best. They supplant their will over the Scriptures that set forth the order of authority in the local church. May we all encourage our pastors to speak the truth in love that those in sin may turn from their iniquity and be saved from the wrath to come.
The third section is “Hope for the Despairing.” vv. 10,11 God's gracious invitation is found in the last two verses. Those to whom Ezekiel preached felt that judgment had already been passed upon their sins, and that they had passed beyond the point of being redeemed. Ezekiel was to assure them of God's love and intent to forgive. If they would repent and trust Him, they could be delivered from death, and given life instead. These verses portray the loving heart of God and His willingness to forgive. Some men love darkness rather than light. Our duty is to show them the way of life and present the gospel truth that God does not want any to perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The Golden Text is: "I have set watchman upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence. " (Isaiah 62:6) To be a watchman requires courage, constancy, vigilance and sobriety. Ministers must "never hold their peace." It is their duty to sound the alarm and warn the people and exhort them. There should be no pauses in sounding the alarm and warning of the dangers of sin. This is for all believers, not just for those called to the ministry.
My summary points:
1. The watchman must sound the alarm and warn people of coming danger.
2. If the minister fails to warn the people, their blood will be on his hands.
3. God desires all men to repent and be saved.
Next week, "The True Shepherd." Ezekiel 34: 11-26
Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Errors Concerning Scriptural Holiness
BLJ: Opponents of entire sanctification use extremism and distortion of the teaching to either hide their sin or out of ignorance. Today's reading will assist people who are really searching.
ERRORS CONCERNING SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS
Some have thought that persons wholly sanctified could never sin, were now beyond the reach of temptation, freed from mistakes, no more to be plagued with thoughts of sin, loved and appreciated by all for their Christlikeness and in such a state of perfection as to exclude further spiritual growth.
This is not scriptural. We must now, briefly, think through these six serious errors to the truth.
1. Certainly, the sanctified may sin; for the experience does not destroy one's free will. Sanctification does not remove the possibility of sinning but greatly reduces the probability of sinning.
2. Certainly, the sanctified will be tempted. Therefore, one must be constantly on guard to detect and resist the temptations.
3. Certainly, the sanctified may make mistakes. These must be corrected or they may lead to serious difficulties. Sanctification does not dehumanize one. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels," said Paul (II Cor. 4:7). The saints are likened here to frail earthen vessels. The treasure Paul refers to is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are finite, only God is infinite. Do not throw your "eraser" away.
4. A thought of sin is not a sinful thought unless the heart makes the wrong response to it. Satan will attempt to bring the garbage of unsavory thoughts into our minds. The sanctified "resist the devil" (James 4:7), and thus the mind and heart remains without the stain of moral corruption.
5. It is foolish to assume all will love and appreciate the sanctified because they are Christlike. To be sure, the God fearing will; but Scripture teaches... "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12). A holy life is often the source of irritation and hate to the ungodly.
6. Christian perfection, is insisted upon by the Lord Jesus, (Matt. 5:48). It is urged upon us and testified to by the New Testament writers. Christian perfection, therefore, is possible for weak and imperfect people. It is not to be thought of as mental perfection, physical perfection, or perfection of performance. It is always the perfection of love, desire and motive.
Sadly, many sincere persons have confused sanctification with glorification. The first is to be obtained by obedient faith in this life; the latter, after one has put on immortality.
In the beautiful prayer of John 17, Jesus prayed for His disciples,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
The doctrine of entire sanctification is so adequately expressed in Article thirteen of the Articles of Religion of the Free Methodist Church that we can do no better than state it here.
"Entire sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to regeneration, by which the fully consecrated believer, upon exercise of faith in the atoning blood of Christ, is cleansed in that moment from all inward sin and empowered for service. The resulting relationship is attested by the witness of the Holy Spirit and is maintained by obedience and faith. Entire sanctification enables the believer to love God with all the heart, soul, strength and mind, and his neighbor as himself, and prepares him for greater growth in grace." [1]
ERRORS CONCERNING SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS
Some have thought that persons wholly sanctified could never sin, were now beyond the reach of temptation, freed from mistakes, no more to be plagued with thoughts of sin, loved and appreciated by all for their Christlikeness and in such a state of perfection as to exclude further spiritual growth.
This is not scriptural. We must now, briefly, think through these six serious errors to the truth.
1. Certainly, the sanctified may sin; for the experience does not destroy one's free will. Sanctification does not remove the possibility of sinning but greatly reduces the probability of sinning.
2. Certainly, the sanctified will be tempted. Therefore, one must be constantly on guard to detect and resist the temptations.
3. Certainly, the sanctified may make mistakes. These must be corrected or they may lead to serious difficulties. Sanctification does not dehumanize one. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels," said Paul (II Cor. 4:7). The saints are likened here to frail earthen vessels. The treasure Paul refers to is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are finite, only God is infinite. Do not throw your "eraser" away.
4. A thought of sin is not a sinful thought unless the heart makes the wrong response to it. Satan will attempt to bring the garbage of unsavory thoughts into our minds. The sanctified "resist the devil" (James 4:7), and thus the mind and heart remains without the stain of moral corruption.
5. It is foolish to assume all will love and appreciate the sanctified because they are Christlike. To be sure, the God fearing will; but Scripture teaches... "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12). A holy life is often the source of irritation and hate to the ungodly.
6. Christian perfection, is insisted upon by the Lord Jesus, (Matt. 5:48). It is urged upon us and testified to by the New Testament writers. Christian perfection, therefore, is possible for weak and imperfect people. It is not to be thought of as mental perfection, physical perfection, or perfection of performance. It is always the perfection of love, desire and motive.
Sadly, many sincere persons have confused sanctification with glorification. The first is to be obtained by obedient faith in this life; the latter, after one has put on immortality.
In the beautiful prayer of John 17, Jesus prayed for His disciples,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
The doctrine of entire sanctification is so adequately expressed in Article thirteen of the Articles of Religion of the Free Methodist Church that we can do no better than state it here.
"Entire sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to regeneration, by which the fully consecrated believer, upon exercise of faith in the atoning blood of Christ, is cleansed in that moment from all inward sin and empowered for service. The resulting relationship is attested by the witness of the Holy Spirit and is maintained by obedience and faith. Entire sanctification enables the believer to love God with all the heart, soul, strength and mind, and his neighbor as himself, and prepares him for greater growth in grace." [1]
Friday, July 24, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Are You Prepared?
BLJ: We continue to study Rev. Fay's book, "Even You're Sanctification." This is an excellent book on the second work of grace, commonly called holiness.
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR OUR LORD'S RETURN?
It has been said that one verse out of every twenty-three verses in the New Testament touch upon this theme. The second coming of Christ is the Christian's hope. Christians are to prepare for the Lord's coming even as a bride prepares for her husband in marriage. If one carefully examines the scriptural context of the second coming passages, he will find that "holiness of heart and life" is an absolute necessity. There is to be a marriage with Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as His holy Bride. Believe the Scriptures! Jesus is not coming for a dirty bride!
* * *
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR PERSECUTION?
However, we do not know for certain how long yet our Lord may delay His coming. Meanwhile, Christian persecution is accelerating around the world. It is said that more Christians have been martyred in the twentieth century than in all the other preceding nineteen centuries of the Christian Church. Only that church that is filled and strengthened by the resources of the indwelling Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit, will stand true when the fiery trial of persecution comes.
R. A. Torrey, the great evangelist and teacher, made this confession,
"I cannot take another step in Christian service until I know I am baptized with the Holy Ghost."
Later in his ministry, which was mightily blessed of the Holy Ghost, he declared to all who would be Spirit filled and sanctified,
No man ever got this blessing who felt he could get along without it." [10]
"Wake up, brother, wake up, sister,
Seek, O seek this holy state,
None but Holy ones can enter
Through the pure celestial gate:
Can you bear the thought of losing
All the joys that are above?
No, my brother! no my sister!
God will perfect you in love." [11]
-- Walter H. Talcott
Being profoundly serious is a condition necessary for--
Even your sanctification!
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR OUR LORD'S RETURN?
It has been said that one verse out of every twenty-three verses in the New Testament touch upon this theme. The second coming of Christ is the Christian's hope. Christians are to prepare for the Lord's coming even as a bride prepares for her husband in marriage. If one carefully examines the scriptural context of the second coming passages, he will find that "holiness of heart and life" is an absolute necessity. There is to be a marriage with Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as His holy Bride. Believe the Scriptures! Jesus is not coming for a dirty bride!
* * *
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR PERSECUTION?
However, we do not know for certain how long yet our Lord may delay His coming. Meanwhile, Christian persecution is accelerating around the world. It is said that more Christians have been martyred in the twentieth century than in all the other preceding nineteen centuries of the Christian Church. Only that church that is filled and strengthened by the resources of the indwelling Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit, will stand true when the fiery trial of persecution comes.
R. A. Torrey, the great evangelist and teacher, made this confession,
"I cannot take another step in Christian service until I know I am baptized with the Holy Ghost."
Later in his ministry, which was mightily blessed of the Holy Ghost, he declared to all who would be Spirit filled and sanctified,
No man ever got this blessing who felt he could get along without it." [10]
"Wake up, brother, wake up, sister,
Seek, O seek this holy state,
None but Holy ones can enter
Through the pure celestial gate:
Can you bear the thought of losing
All the joys that are above?
No, my brother! no my sister!
God will perfect you in love." [11]
-- Walter H. Talcott
Being profoundly serious is a condition necessary for--
Even your sanctification!
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Are You a Serious Christian?
BLJ: We continue to study Rev. Fay's book, "Even You're Sanctification." This is an excellent book on the second work of grace, commonly called holiness.
ARE YOU A SERIOUS CHRISTIAN?
Orlow Webb once said,
"If you get saved real good, you will want to be sanctified real bad!"
Do you want to be the best Christian you can be? The best minister? Missionary? Wife? Husband? Parent? Student? Employee? Do you want to be the best church member and Christian worker that you can be? If so, then the search for heart holiness must become a passion and an obsession with you.
"God could not justify a man unless in his desire to be forgiven there is also a desire for the cleansing of the whole being." [7]
The plain truth is this. You dare not be trifling about God's sacred call to holiness. You will not long retain His smile if you do so, for the call to holiness is God's call. I repeat, "He therefore that despiseth, (rejecteth, margin) despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 4:8).
Be careful! Do not frustrate or grieve the Holy Ghost.
Recently a man said, "I am saved tonight because I'm sanctified." I understood fully what he meant; for that man, like every man, had discovered a warped, carnal nature within him. The Bible calls this inward depravity a "bent to backsliding" (Hos. 11:7). Fortunately, that Christian man sought the Lord for entire sanctification, the second blessing, and found deliverance from his inward moral weakness and the consequent stabilizing power of the indwelling Holy Ghost for daily victorious living.
Unfortunately, many Christians have failed to obtain this great experience of sanctification; and the carnage of backsliding and dead religious profession is widespread. One has said,
"We cannot more fearfully and dangerously show our contempt for the Holy Ghost than in despising God's call to holiness." [8]
I recall as though it were yesterday how serious and intent I was in obtaining entire sanctification. Alone in the church, I sought earnestly, with many tears for the blessing. I well remember kneeling at the altar with the hymn book open before me and singing this prayer with a broken spirit:
"Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want thee for ever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe--
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." [9]
Yes, I really did long for this inward washing. I seriously wanted every idol of my heart broken by the power of God, and I yearned for release from my inward carnal foes. God knows how desperately I needed this inward washing, and I praise Him that He gave me a serious yearning and hunger for it. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness," said Jesus, "for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
ARE YOU A SERIOUS CHRISTIAN?
Orlow Webb once said,
"If you get saved real good, you will want to be sanctified real bad!"
Do you want to be the best Christian you can be? The best minister? Missionary? Wife? Husband? Parent? Student? Employee? Do you want to be the best church member and Christian worker that you can be? If so, then the search for heart holiness must become a passion and an obsession with you.
"God could not justify a man unless in his desire to be forgiven there is also a desire for the cleansing of the whole being." [7]
The plain truth is this. You dare not be trifling about God's sacred call to holiness. You will not long retain His smile if you do so, for the call to holiness is God's call. I repeat, "He therefore that despiseth, (rejecteth, margin) despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 4:8).
Be careful! Do not frustrate or grieve the Holy Ghost.
Recently a man said, "I am saved tonight because I'm sanctified." I understood fully what he meant; for that man, like every man, had discovered a warped, carnal nature within him. The Bible calls this inward depravity a "bent to backsliding" (Hos. 11:7). Fortunately, that Christian man sought the Lord for entire sanctification, the second blessing, and found deliverance from his inward moral weakness and the consequent stabilizing power of the indwelling Holy Ghost for daily victorious living.
Unfortunately, many Christians have failed to obtain this great experience of sanctification; and the carnage of backsliding and dead religious profession is widespread. One has said,
"We cannot more fearfully and dangerously show our contempt for the Holy Ghost than in despising God's call to holiness." [8]
I recall as though it were yesterday how serious and intent I was in obtaining entire sanctification. Alone in the church, I sought earnestly, with many tears for the blessing. I well remember kneeling at the altar with the hymn book open before me and singing this prayer with a broken spirit:
"Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want thee for ever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe--
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." [9]
Yes, I really did long for this inward washing. I seriously wanted every idol of my heart broken by the power of God, and I yearned for release from my inward carnal foes. God knows how desperately I needed this inward washing, and I praise Him that He gave me a serious yearning and hunger for it. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness," said Jesus, "for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: The Holy Spirit and Your Sanctification
BLJ: We continue to study Rev. Fay's book, "Even You're Sanctification." This is an excellent book on the second work of grace, commonly called holiness.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOUR SANCTIFICATION
The call to holiness is a serious call. "He therefore that despiseth, (rejecteth, margin) despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 4:8). The call to holiness is not man's, but God's, therefore it is sacred and serious. One may actually spurn God's call.
With each passing day, hour and minute, the Holy Spirit seeks opportunity to awaken us, to illuminate our understanding. He convicts and entreats us to seek that "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12-14).
Why this anxious concern? Why this effort to probe our conscience and motives? Why does He strive to aid our reluctant will to yield all to the Lord Jesus? What is our peril? Surely, it is that of certain punishment which will come upon those--
"who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace" (Heb. 10:29).
Beware of crossing the "deadline" of the Holy Spirit's call by a callused or even a casual ignoring of your need and privilege to be entirely sanctified. The call to holiness is a serious call, and your response is serious business. Ultimately, the Savior's blood will either be on your heart or on your heel!
Reader, where will it be?
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOUR SANCTIFICATION
The call to holiness is a serious call. "He therefore that despiseth, (rejecteth, margin) despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 4:8). The call to holiness is not man's, but God's, therefore it is sacred and serious. One may actually spurn God's call.
With each passing day, hour and minute, the Holy Spirit seeks opportunity to awaken us, to illuminate our understanding. He convicts and entreats us to seek that "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12-14).
Why this anxious concern? Why this effort to probe our conscience and motives? Why does He strive to aid our reluctant will to yield all to the Lord Jesus? What is our peril? Surely, it is that of certain punishment which will come upon those--
"who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace" (Heb. 10:29).
Beware of crossing the "deadline" of the Holy Spirit's call by a callused or even a casual ignoring of your need and privilege to be entirely sanctified. The call to holiness is a serious call, and your response is serious business. Ultimately, the Savior's blood will either be on your heart or on your heel!
Reader, where will it be?
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Jesus and Your Sanctification
BLJ: We continue to study Rev. Fay's book, "Even You're Sanctification." This is an excellent book on the second work of grace, commonly called holiness.
JESUS AND YOUR SANCTIFICATION
And Jesus the Son? Look upon Him who in love that can never be equaled, "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:7-8).
Again we read,
"Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood suffered without the gate" (Heb. 13:12).
What condescension! What suffering! What proofs do we ask? By his soul-wrenching groans in Gethsemane; by the sweating of his precious blood; by the silver of his sacred tears; and now, even now, by His continuing intercession for the Church that...
"He might sanctify and cleanse 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 blemish" (Eph. 5:26-27).
With such proofs of Christ's passion for a pure Bride, dare anyone relegate the great experience of entire sanctification to a place of unimportance? Reader, need we further proofs? Surely not! Christ will have nothing less than our entire sanctification... "even your sanctification!" (1 Thess. 4:3).
JESUS AND YOUR SANCTIFICATION
And Jesus the Son? Look upon Him who in love that can never be equaled, "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:7-8).
Again we read,
"Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood suffered without the gate" (Heb. 13:12).
What condescension! What suffering! What proofs do we ask? By his soul-wrenching groans in Gethsemane; by the sweating of his precious blood; by the silver of his sacred tears; and now, even now, by His continuing intercession for the Church that...
"He might sanctify and cleanse 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 blemish" (Eph. 5:26-27).
With such proofs of Christ's passion for a pure Bride, dare anyone relegate the great experience of entire sanctification to a place of unimportance? Reader, need we further proofs? Surely not! Christ will have nothing less than our entire sanctification... "even your sanctification!" (1 Thess. 4:3).
Monday, July 20, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: The Father and Your Sanctification
BLJ: We continue to study Rev. Fay's book, "Even You're Sanctification." This is an excellent book on the second work of grace, commonly called holiness.
THE FATHER AND YOUR SANCTIFICATION
John 3:16 is the favorite Bible verse of many, for it speaks of the Father's love for the whole world and each of us, in particular. Centuries prior to this wonderful verse, however, is a scene from Genesis, which is both touching and instructive of a father's wonderful love. God spoke to Abraham, His friend, and said, "Take now thy son, thine only son, Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of" (Gen. 22:2).
J. Sidlow Baxter explains that Isaac, the son of promise, was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ and Father Abraham, a type of the heavenly Father. He then raises this question which speaks of the sufferings of the father:
"When Abraham lifted the knife to slay his unresisting son on that rough altar, who (do you think) suffered more -- Isaac in his mute helplessness or Abraham, his agonized father, who would have fain have died in Isaac's place?" [5]
The father and the son cannot be separated in the story. One is the giver and the other, the gift. So, too, in our redemption we cannot, dare not, separate the Son from the anguish and unfathomable grief and pain of the Father. God so loved that He gave, the Supreme Giver, his only begotten Son, the Supreme Gift.
And wonderful to tell, this sacrifice was in the mind of the Trinity before the world was created.
"He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Eph. 1:4).
"Holy" refers to the inner spiritual quality; "without blame" to the outer life.
"Holy living is not an afterthought, but a part of God's original plan of salvation." [6]
The Father, in love has purposed and provided for our sanctification in the supreme price of giving us His Son. Let us be grateful.
THE FATHER AND YOUR SANCTIFICATION
John 3:16 is the favorite Bible verse of many, for it speaks of the Father's love for the whole world and each of us, in particular. Centuries prior to this wonderful verse, however, is a scene from Genesis, which is both touching and instructive of a father's wonderful love. God spoke to Abraham, His friend, and said, "Take now thy son, thine only son, Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of" (Gen. 22:2).
J. Sidlow Baxter explains that Isaac, the son of promise, was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ and Father Abraham, a type of the heavenly Father. He then raises this question which speaks of the sufferings of the father:
"When Abraham lifted the knife to slay his unresisting son on that rough altar, who (do you think) suffered more -- Isaac in his mute helplessness or Abraham, his agonized father, who would have fain have died in Isaac's place?" [5]
The father and the son cannot be separated in the story. One is the giver and the other, the gift. So, too, in our redemption we cannot, dare not, separate the Son from the anguish and unfathomable grief and pain of the Father. God so loved that He gave, the Supreme Giver, his only begotten Son, the Supreme Gift.
And wonderful to tell, this sacrifice was in the mind of the Trinity before the world was created.
"He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Eph. 1:4).
"Holy" refers to the inner spiritual quality; "without blame" to the outer life.
"Holy living is not an afterthought, but a part of God's original plan of salvation." [6]
The Father, in love has purposed and provided for our sanctification in the supreme price of giving us His Son. Let us be grateful.
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Third Bible Study of the Quarter: Restoration Promised
Today's lesson comes from Ezekiel 11: 14-21. Pelatiah was the son of Benaiah and one of the princes that Ezekiel uttered words of doom in Ezekiel 11: 5-12. When Pelatiah died, Ezekiel thought that it signified the wiping out of the remnant of the Jewish heritage. As chapter eleven opens, the Spirit of God brings Ezekiel to the eastern gate of the temple. He finds twenty-five men who "give wicked counsel" in the city. These were the leaders of the people. They advised the Jews to rebel against Babylon. Further, they said that the city was safe from destruction and God would keep the city from being destroyed. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against these wicked men. God declares that these men "have not walked in my statutes...but have done after the manners of the heathen." (v. 12) As Ezekiel finishes, one person drops dead. That death verified the certainty of the coming destruction. Ezekiel fears that God will destroy all Israel. God did not leave Ezekiel without an answer.
The first section is "The Remnant Identified." vv. 14,15 In these verses we learn that the inhabitants of Jerusalem that had not been taken captivity believed that they were religiously superior to those that had been removed. The remaining ones were contemptuous of the downtrodden. hey felt that God must despise those who had been deported, because they had been removed from the Promised Land. The Jews in Jerusalem made the mistake of "localizing" God. They believed that God was limited to Palestine and Jerusalem. The inhabitants of Jerusalem were egotistical, self-justifying, and censorious of others. However, God told Ezekiel that the "house of Israel" was actually to be found among those who had been taken away into captivity. Ezekiel's brothers in exile were the true remnant. While Ezekiel feared that the remnant would be destroyed in Jerusalem, God assured him that He had already spared the remnant who had been taken away.
The second section is "The Remnant Preserved." vv. 16-18 In these verses we see a beautiful portrayal of God's mercy and grace to a displaced people. God will preserve His people, gather them, and return them to the land. God's providential care is so evident. In the same way, God will be with us in all the circumstances of life. The people taken in captivity would be "as a little sanctuary." The people in Jerusalem believed those taken into captivity were forsaken by God. Those in Jerusalem had the temple but not God. Those in captivity had no temple but they had God.
After the remnant had been cured of idolatry, God would gather them, assemble them, and return them to the Promised Land. Upon returning, the exiles would "take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations." They would purge the land of idolatry which included statutes, high places, heathen altars, and images. Worship of the one true God would be established.
The third section is "The Remnant Transformed." vv. 19-21 God's power to transform the heart and life is seen in the lesson's last section. The result of change will be the ability to live in harmony with God's laws. There is a need for a heart change in every true believer. True religion is more than external conformity. It must come from a heart filled with love for God. God promises to give a "new heart" and a "new spirit." The transformation would be the result of God's free grace, not of works. The heart is the key to a person's spiritual condition and to his relationship with God. Having a heart whose affections that are set only on God will bring unity among the people of God.
Continued disobedience will result in men hardening their hearts against God. They become insensitive to the impressions of God's Spirit. God promises to give a "heart of flesh" which is a heart that is sensitive, capable of receiving spiritual leadership. This new heart will bring about inner transformation so men can now "walk in my statutes." The lesson closes with a solemn warning to those "whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things." God says He would "recompense their way upon their own heads." Sin will bring its own consequences and God will not restrain those consequences. At the end of Ezekiel's vision, the glory of the Lord departs from Jerusalem. Ezekiel is transported back to Babylon and the exiles. Ezekiel then tells his vision to the exiles and provides comforting words of God's promise of restoration.
The Golden Text is "I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them." (Amos 9:14) Verses eleven through fifteen of the ninth chapter describe the conditions of the millennium. Jesus will reign supreme. God's promises are sure. Though circumstances may appear to make fulfillment impossible, nothing is impossible with God.
My summary points:
1. Don't pass judgment on others due to their circumstances.
2. God is not restricted to a location.
3. Our outward life will manifest our inner heart condition.
Next week: "A Watchman." Ezekiel 33: 1-11.
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
The second section is "The Remnant Preserved." vv. 16-18 In these verses we see a beautiful portrayal of God's mercy and grace to a displaced people. God will preserve His people, gather them, and return them to the land. God's providential care is so evident. In the same way, God will be with us in all the circumstances of life. The people taken in captivity would be "as a little sanctuary." The people in Jerusalem believed those taken into captivity were forsaken by God. Those in Jerusalem had the temple but not God. Those in captivity had no temple but they had God.
After the remnant had been cured of idolatry, God would gather them, assemble them, and return them to the Promised Land. Upon returning, the exiles would "take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations." They would purge the land of idolatry which included statutes, high places, heathen altars, and images. Worship of the one true God would be established.
The third section is "The Remnant Transformed." vv. 19-21 God's power to transform the heart and life is seen in the lesson's last section. The result of change will be the ability to live in harmony with God's laws. There is a need for a heart change in every true believer. True religion is more than external conformity. It must come from a heart filled with love for God. God promises to give a "new heart" and a "new spirit." The transformation would be the result of God's free grace, not of works. The heart is the key to a person's spiritual condition and to his relationship with God. Having a heart whose affections that are set only on God will bring unity among the people of God.
Continued disobedience will result in men hardening their hearts against God. They become insensitive to the impressions of God's Spirit. God promises to give a "heart of flesh" which is a heart that is sensitive, capable of receiving spiritual leadership. This new heart will bring about inner transformation so men can now "walk in my statutes." The lesson closes with a solemn warning to those "whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things." God says He would "recompense their way upon their own heads." Sin will bring its own consequences and God will not restrain those consequences. At the end of Ezekiel's vision, the glory of the Lord departs from Jerusalem. Ezekiel is transported back to Babylon and the exiles. Ezekiel then tells his vision to the exiles and provides comforting words of God's promise of restoration.
The Golden Text is "I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them." (Amos 9:14) Verses eleven through fifteen of the ninth chapter describe the conditions of the millennium. Jesus will reign supreme. God's promises are sure. Though circumstances may appear to make fulfillment impossible, nothing is impossible with God.
My summary points:
1. Don't pass judgment on others due to their circumstances.
2. God is not restricted to a location.
3. Our outward life will manifest our inner heart condition.
Next week: "A Watchman." Ezekiel 33: 1-11.
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Be Serious
BLJ: We have finished Rev. Fay's book on salvation. He wrote an additional book on entire sanctification. We will spend a few days looking at this subject. As I wrote earlier, I believe only a few in the church are truly saved, and if so, there are even fewer sanctified wholly. Entire sanctification destroys the "old man", i.e. carnality or the carnal mind. When someone is sanctified, you see it in their life, their speech and in their behavior. The sanctified believer is sold out 100% for God. Are you sanctified?
BE SERIOUS
Dale Yocum said it well:
"This is a high tension age. The rapid whirl of activity and the full program of events place a heavy tax upon nerve, muscle and spirit. Moses had to climb up into a crevice before he saw God pass by. God does not usually unveil His face to the man on the go." [1]
The prevailing spirit of our age is exceedingly trite, immoral, worldly and carnal and he who would be godly must stand and press against it. God not only does not respond to the indifferent, trifling, proud and self assured but He positively resists them. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).
"The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it will yield its best treasures. God has nothing to say to the frivolous man." [2]
Perhaps nowhere else in Scripture does one sense a more sincere and serious desire for God than in David's prayer as recorded in Psalm 139:23-24:
"Search me, O God and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
1. Notice the reasonableness of such a prayer. Earlier in this Psalm, David freely acknowledges God's thorough going understanding of him. All his thoughts in verse 2, his ways in verse 3, and his words in verse 4.
2. Notice also the rightness of his prayer. It is right in its approach to God. Here David pleads, "Search me, O God" (verse 23). God alone knows a man's heart and can reveal to him its true spiritual condition. David also targets the right areas to be searched and known, i.e., his "heart" and "thoughts" which constitute the core of true piety. "For out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). Further, David is approaching the Lord with a right attitude in prayer. He prays "search me, know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts." What profound and serious soul searching! This man is intent on knowing his true spiritual state. David wants to know the worst of his condition.
3. Notice the risk of true prayer. "See if there be any wicked way in me" (verse 24). The word "wicked" is rendered in the margin "way of pain, or grief," i.e., some attitude or practice of his past or present. David's bold "if" indicates the possibility of such a revelation. Here David vows, if required, to make a radical admission or adjustment as may surprise or even shock his associates and thereby render him odious in their eyes, but he is desperately serious and will pay even this price to be put into right relationship with God.
4. Notice the resignation in David's prayer. Even the prayer's ending "and lead me in the way" (verse 24). reveals the splendid resignation of a soul intent on true spirituality. This attitude indicates that God will have no problem to lead him. Small wonder then that God called him, "a man after His own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14). Surely David provides a model for all who hunger for the fullness of Christ's blessing.
"Invite even the anguish, if need be, of the most humiliating self exposure, and shrink not from the rod of correction." [3]
Everywhere in Scripture a sincere and serious approach to God is insisted upon. We note a few of these and urge the reader to take the time to ponder each verse.
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul" (Deut. 4:29).
"Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God" (1 Chr. 22:19).
"And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman" (2 Chr. 15:12-13).
"The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God" (Ps. 14:2).
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob" (Ps. 24:3-6).
"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Ps. 27:8).
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" (Ps. 42:1).
"Yea, if thou crieth after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Prov. 2:3-5).
"I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me" (Hos. 5:15).
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).
"The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached and every man presseth into it" (Luke 16:16).
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24).
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1).
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).
A genuine believer will manifest a strong desire for heart purity, which one writer calls the "Crown of Justification" and then adds:
this desire is always attached to it:
as weight to lead,
as heat to fire,
as fragrance to the rose,
as green to a healthy leaf,
-- always inseparable. [4]
Each member of the Trinity -- the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost -- continues to prove His undying concern for our sanctification.
BE SERIOUS
Dale Yocum said it well:
"This is a high tension age. The rapid whirl of activity and the full program of events place a heavy tax upon nerve, muscle and spirit. Moses had to climb up into a crevice before he saw God pass by. God does not usually unveil His face to the man on the go." [1]
The prevailing spirit of our age is exceedingly trite, immoral, worldly and carnal and he who would be godly must stand and press against it. God not only does not respond to the indifferent, trifling, proud and self assured but He positively resists them. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).
"The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it will yield its best treasures. God has nothing to say to the frivolous man." [2]
Perhaps nowhere else in Scripture does one sense a more sincere and serious desire for God than in David's prayer as recorded in Psalm 139:23-24:
"Search me, O God and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
1. Notice the reasonableness of such a prayer. Earlier in this Psalm, David freely acknowledges God's thorough going understanding of him. All his thoughts in verse 2, his ways in verse 3, and his words in verse 4.
2. Notice also the rightness of his prayer. It is right in its approach to God. Here David pleads, "Search me, O God" (verse 23). God alone knows a man's heart and can reveal to him its true spiritual condition. David also targets the right areas to be searched and known, i.e., his "heart" and "thoughts" which constitute the core of true piety. "For out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). Further, David is approaching the Lord with a right attitude in prayer. He prays "search me, know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts." What profound and serious soul searching! This man is intent on knowing his true spiritual state. David wants to know the worst of his condition.
3. Notice the risk of true prayer. "See if there be any wicked way in me" (verse 24). The word "wicked" is rendered in the margin "way of pain, or grief," i.e., some attitude or practice of his past or present. David's bold "if" indicates the possibility of such a revelation. Here David vows, if required, to make a radical admission or adjustment as may surprise or even shock his associates and thereby render him odious in their eyes, but he is desperately serious and will pay even this price to be put into right relationship with God.
4. Notice the resignation in David's prayer. Even the prayer's ending "and lead me in the way" (verse 24). reveals the splendid resignation of a soul intent on true spirituality. This attitude indicates that God will have no problem to lead him. Small wonder then that God called him, "a man after His own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14). Surely David provides a model for all who hunger for the fullness of Christ's blessing.
"Invite even the anguish, if need be, of the most humiliating self exposure, and shrink not from the rod of correction." [3]
Everywhere in Scripture a sincere and serious approach to God is insisted upon. We note a few of these and urge the reader to take the time to ponder each verse.
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul" (Deut. 4:29).
"Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God" (1 Chr. 22:19).
"And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman" (2 Chr. 15:12-13).
"The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God" (Ps. 14:2).
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob" (Ps. 24:3-6).
"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Ps. 27:8).
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" (Ps. 42:1).
"Yea, if thou crieth after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Prov. 2:3-5).
"I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me" (Hos. 5:15).
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).
"The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached and every man presseth into it" (Luke 16:16).
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24).
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1).
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).
A genuine believer will manifest a strong desire for heart purity, which one writer calls the "Crown of Justification" and then adds:
this desire is always attached to it:
as weight to lead,
as heat to fire,
as fragrance to the rose,
as green to a healthy leaf,
-- always inseparable. [4]
Each member of the Trinity -- the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost -- continues to prove His undying concern for our sanctification.
Friday, July 17, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Be Sure You Are Saved
BLJ: We have finished Rev. Fay's book on salvation. He wrote an additional book on entire sanctification. We will spend a few days looking at this subject. As I wrote earlier, I believe only a few in the church are truly saved, and if so, there are even fewer sanctified wholly. Entire sanctification destroys the "old man", i.e. carnality or the carnal mind. When someone is sanctified, you see it in their life, their speech and in their behavior. The sanctified believer is sold out 100% for God. Are you sanctified?
BE SURE YOU ARE SAVED
The God of the Bible is holy. Holiness is the all-essential attribute of God's character. This is His basic nature. Therefore, He yearns to produce a holy people with whom He may commune and have fellowship. God's Word teaches that men are saved in order that they might be sanctified wholly.
Asbury Lowery said: "Without holiness angels could not be angels; Christians could not be Christians; and God could not be God." [1]
To be sure, all who are soundly, scripturally saved or born again have the right to heaven; for no one truly saved is lost. Now, God intends these, His children, to experience a second work of grace, a thorough sanctification which alone fits them for heaven.
Heaven is a holy place,
prepared for a holy people;
sin can never enter there.
So then, the Bible urges God's children, i.e., those who have been born again of the Holy Spirit, to take a second step and be "filled" with the Spirit. This is called entire sanctification. This sanctification is for sons, the Spirit born! The birth [2] of the Spirit always precedes the baptism [3] with the Spirit. This means that only those persons who have been genuinely saved are proper subjects for entire sanctification. No one can intelligently and heartily seek the second work of grace until clearly in possession of the first. Truly, it means very much to profess being a Christian!
A Christian is the highest character which any human being can bear on earth. The title comes from God: therefore, a holy character is required to wear the name. Without this proper holy character it is religiously dishonest and absolute folly to call one a Christian. [4]
There is a growing tendency in Christendom at present to place the standard for the Christian life so low to appease the pleasure loving and worldly minded people of our day. It is popular to do so but in thus lowering the standard of true scriptural salvation many have been deceived. The Lord Jesus said, "If the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch" (Matt. 15:14). How serious are these words. Jesus made it plain that the deceived ones and the deceivers shall both fall and perish together.
Rev. B. T. Roberts warned: "To place the standard too high, discourages, or too low, deludes and destroys. It is difficult to conceive of any greater harm that a man can do than to deceive multitudes to their eternal ruin." [5]
Man's greatest blessing is to know God personally; and if ever you are to be sanctified wholly and "filled with the Spirit" you must surely come to know you are a child of God. This is the first step; you may and must have this solid knowledge and assurance.
Notice carefully that the following are not suitable candidates for entire sanctification.
1. The Unconverted Person Is Not A Proper Candidate For Entire Sanctification.
We mean, of course, the non converted, the unregenerate, i.e., he who has never been "born again." Such a person is not a proper candidate for entire sanctification. When Jesus gave the promise of "another Comforter" to His disciples, He made it clear that this Comforter (the Holy Spirit) was One "whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him" (John 14:17). This was not true of the Lord's disciples; for Jesus continued saying, "He dwelleth with you and shall be in you" (John 14:17). Further, three times in John 17 Jesus declared to the Father that these disciples "were not of the world" (John 17:6, 14, 16). The unsaved person is yet "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). Therefore, one must be quickened to life by the Holy Spirit; for only living Christians qualify for the experience of entire sanctification.
2. The Backslider Is Not A Proper Candidate For Entire Sanctification.
Occasionally, an earnest seeker for sanctification will discover he has "slidden back" of light, i.e., God's revealed will concerning his daily walk in moral truth and duty. He is walking behind light and is now experiencing guilt, condemnation and a measure of spiritual darkness. He must, therefore, humble himself and make the proper adjustment. This may require restitution, such as an apology or confession, and will likely prove embarrassing; but it must be done.
E. J. Wilson once said, "To be sanctified wholly you must be as straight as a gun barrel and as clean as a hound's tooth!"
A return to cross bearing and discipleship will bring the Spirit's approval and the wanderer will once again find his spiritual skies clearing. With his conscience cleared he will then know exactly where he stands with the Lord.
Dr. Dale Yocum explains how the Lord worked with those needing restoration to grace in the following excerpt:
"He sought to prepare them for the coming of the Spirit. Peter had backslidden and needed restoration. Jesus counseled with him, as is recorded in John 21:26-29.
"Thomas was unbelieving; and Jesus dealt with him about that, as we find in John 20:26-29.
"When the Holy Ghost came they were living in unity, expectancy, and readiness for Him. Their schisms and quarrels had been rectified. There was nothing in their past which now remained to bar the glorious coming of the Spirit in His fullness." [6]
3. A Deceived But Professing Person Is Not A Candidate For Entire Sanctification.
A man was kneeling in prayer at a public altar seeking to be saved. An earnest and, no doubt, well meaning Christian worker said to him, "Believe, my friend! Believe and you shall be saved, for the Bible says, 'Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!'" (Acts 16:31).
The seeker remained quiet; and the worker prodded further, "Do you believe in Jesus?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Then you are saved!" shouted the worker.
"No, I am not saved," the kneeling man answered. "For the Bible also says, 'Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon' (Isaiah 55:7) and I haven't done that yet! No, I am not saved!"
This man knew that sincere repentance is the true basis for a saving faith. There is a crying need for clear Bible teaching on repentance, restitution and separation from the world. We fear many have little, if any, of the promised witness of the "Spirit" (Romans 8:15-16); thus, salvation to many is becoming increasingly a "head thing" without the inner "blessed assurance" our forefathers sang so joyously about.
Concerning those who imagine themselves Christians and are not, John Wesley pointedly said:
"These abound not only in all parts of our land, but in most part of the habitable world. That they are not Christians is clear and undeniable if we believe the oracles of God. For...
"Christians are holy; these are unholy
"Christians love God; these love the world.
"Christians are humble; these are proud.
"Christians are gentle; these are passionate.
"Christians have the mind of Christ; these are at the utmost distance from Christ.
"Consequently, they are no more Christians than they are archangels. Yet they imagine themselves so to be, and they can give several reasons for it. For... they have been called so ever since they can remember; they were christened many years ago; they embrace the Christian opinions, vulgarly termed the Christian or catholic faith. They use the Christian modes of worship as their fathers did before them. They live what is called a good Christian life, as the rest of their neighbors do. And who shall presume to think or say that these men are no Christians though without one grain of true faith in Christ or a real, inward holiness; without ever having tasted the love of God or been "made partakers of the Holy Ghost." Ah, poor self-deceivers! Christians you are not, but you are enthusiasts in a high degree." [7]
A teacher in a Bible college declared that all that anyone needed to be assured of salvation was the Bible. "Just believe the Bible," he said.
One day he asked a student, "Are you saved?"
The student replied, "Sure!"
"How do you know this?" the instructor asked.
"I know I am saved because the Bible says I am. The Bible says, 'believe and thou shalt be saved'; and I have believed, so I'm saved."
The mistake here is confusing "head knowledge" with "heart faith." There is a difference between the two. We read that, "the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). Still they remain devils, unregenerate and unchanged in character. Likewise, mere head knowledge alone, without the ground work of repentance, separation from the world and a willingness to bear the cross of Jesus, is rank God dishonoring presumption and not true saving faith. This will never be given sanction by the Holy Spirit. Be warned! You will never proceed to entire sanctification until you know by the Spirit's own witness that you are saved. The birth of the Spirit always precedes the baptism of the Spirit. Sanctification is for sons, and the Holy Spirit will witness our Sonship!
The Bible is like a road map. It tells us what roads we must take to find God. Believing or exercising faith in Christ is one of these roads, but the Holy Spirit alone can tell us when we have found the Lord and His grace, and this will always be in harmony with the witness of the Scripture.
There is a clear illustration of this in the Old Testament concerning the Lord's dealings with Israel. The Lord had promised to "give" [8] to Israel the land of Canaan as their inheritance, and what God has promised He has power to perform. The exodus from Egypt preceded Israel's entrance into Canaan! Israel must "get out" from under the hand of Pharaoh and the taskmasters of Egypt before they could possibly enter into the land of promise. They simply had to "get out" before they could "get in." What Israel experienced physically and geographically each person must experience spiritually. We, too, must be delivered from our slavery to Satan and the bondage and practice of sin and worldliness before we can "move on" to the great experience of entire sanctification. Yes, Sanctification is for sons!
The following is a scriptural checklist for one who is truly a Christian. We urge you to carefully "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor. 13:5).
1. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). Can this be said of you by your family, friends and associates? Have you experienced a radical change in all aspects of your life?
2. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16). Have you this "witness" from the Spirit which is more than the approval of others? Sincere Christians may desire to assure you of salvation but it is dangerous to do so for no one can produce the inward assurance of salvation but God Himself. This is the witness of the spirit and the privilege of every true believer.
3. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). Are you teachable? "And the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out: and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice" (John 10:3, 4).
4. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (1 John 3:9). "Whosoever is born of God sinneth not" (1 John 5:18). Have you quit the sin business? Do you live above the practice of deliberate sin? It has been said that living above sin is the low watermark of the Christian life -- the minimum.
5. "He that is begotten of God keepeth himself" (1 John 5:18). Do you guard the treasure of your soul, your spiritual birth? Are you carefully abstaining "from all appearance of evil" (1 Thess. 5:22)? Do you dress modestly, is your conversation clean, and are your business dealings honest? Do you strive for deep spirituality? To this end, do you watch and pray?
6. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:17-18). "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). Are you free from your love of the world? Are you living a separate life -- the Christian life? Are you free from conformity to the world's customs, fashions, lusts and amusements? Are you free from the dictates of Satan and the children of night? "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). Saving faith overcomes the world.
7. "We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). All who are truly born again love each other. The saints one used to shun mean more to him now than even his unsaved relatives. Do you love the saints and not merely endure them?
8. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Do you obey and do God's will? This is surely the key definition of a true Christian! Obedience! Do you obey? "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). "If a man love me, he will keep my words" (John 14:23). "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Rev. 22:14).
9. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). "Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). Living bodies must have food. Likewise, if the soul is alive, it will have an appetite for spiritual food. Christians must have the food of the Scripture. Do you have an appetite for the Word of God?
10. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Do you hunger for righteousness? Antagonism to holiness and holy living comes from the unsaved. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim. 2:19).
You simply must be saved, scripturally born again, before you can heartily and intelligently seek for entire sanctification! Sanctification is for sons! As one has aptly said,
"A man cannot go on until he has gone somewhere!"
No one can take a second step until he has taken his first. Be sure you are saved. This is the first step toward--
Even your sanctification!
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Even Your Sanctification: Friend or Foe
BLJ: We have finished Rev. Fay's book on salvation. He wrote an additional book on entire sanctification. We will spend a few days looking at this subject. As I wrote earlier, I believe only a few in the church are truly saved, and if so, there are even fewer sanctified wholly. Entire sanctification destroys the "old man", i.e. carnality or the carnal mind. When someone is sanctified, you see it in their life, their speech and in their behavior. The sanctified believer is sold out 100% for God. Are you sanctified?
FRIEND OR FOE -- AN ALLEGORY
Once upon a time there was a lonely man who lived in a handsome castle which had long fallen into disrepair. Fortunately, this condition came to the attention of the King who sent him this message:
"If you are the King's friend I will come to live with you and renew the castle. Do you agree?"
Soon the King's friend returned the answer.
"Please come and make my castle your very own!"
The Majesty arrived riding upon a pure white horse and announced His intention to remain. For several days the castle attendants carefully groomed the beautiful horse, prepared the most palatable dishes and in every way catered to the pleasure of the King and his friend. Trees of sweet bearing fruits and flowers of rarest colors were soon growing in abundance on the castle grounds; for the King who planted them was well known for his gardening skills.
How sweet was their fellowship as the King and his friend walked the halls and talked together of the alterations the King would make and the beauty that would return to the castle. There was, however, one serious problem. An Old Man also lived there. Although the Old Man was not permitted a free run of the castle, but suppressed and limited to a rather slim diet, his was a troublesome presence.
One morning a kitchen maid wishing to set a bouquet of flowers on the table found that most of them had been rudely trampled and crushed. When this came to the King's attention, he and his friend walked quickly to the scene. They stared and grieved at the sight.
"Look!" the King said, pointing to a set of footprints leading past the flowers and out among the trees. They followed these and soon came to where the lush fruit had been clubbed off the trees and lay smashed beneath them. The King pointed to broken branches where the trees had been slashed and scarred by some cruel tool; and again, to the same footprints, unmistakably those of the Old Man. Silent and grave the king and his friend returned to the castle.
"I must talk to the Old Man in the morning," the friend said earnestly to the King. "I have never known him to act so ugly before." The King remained silent.
It was a very troubling night for the King's friend. Something must be done. "What can I do?" he questioned, "but try to humor the Old Man and persuade him to behave."
Before breakfast, a stable groom burst into their presence crying, "Come, your Majesty... quickly... your horse!" Together the King and his friend rushed to the stable. The horse had fallen and was now lying on its side, convulsing in great pain. While they watched, the beautiful creature ceased struggling, gave a final gasp and died. Solemnly, the King ordered the groom to fetch him the grain bucket. He dug his hand into the oats, allowing the grains to slowly fall through his fingers. Carefully, he picked out several black seeds.
"Poison," he announced. "Someone has mixed poison into the feed."
Knowingly, they stared at each other and the King's friend knew that this cruel deed had to be the work of the Old Man.
That night the King's friend excused himself to walk abroad and collect his thoughts. Torches were burning in their sockets, throwing some feeble light into the shades of the castle walkways. Along one of these and near an outer wall the King's friend was constrained to suddenly halt. Immediately a huge stone fell directly on the path before him. A moment more and a mere step forward and he would have been crushed beneath it. He glanced upward in time to see the retreating shadow of the Old Man. He was terrified. He chose, however, not to divulge this matter to the King. The next day he purposefully avoided close familiarity with the Majesty. He knew that questions would be asked and he did not want to talk to the King as before. This reluctance was strange and difficult for him to understand; for after all, was he not the King's friend?
The following evening as darkness fell about the castle, once more, the King's friend ventured out to sort through his thoughts. He was walking slowly in another area; with his head down, hands clasped behind his back and deep in thought, when it happened. He heard a hiss and felt as though some giant spider had bitten into his shoulder; but it was not a spider's bite, but the sting of an stout black arrow. He struggled to pull it lose, but it had lodged deeply into a vital spot and he could not. He staggered to the wall where he collapsed, groaned and tried to cry for help; but only passed into unconsciousness.
He awoke hours later. The King was seated at his side, bending over him and rubbing pungent balm into his deep wound. He felt nauseated, weak and ill.
The King smiled and his friend thought that his smile had more healing virtue in it than any amount of medicine of other sorts.
"You are recovering now," he whispered, "but your wound was near unto death. You were foolish to walk abroad in the darkness without me."
The King's friend was humbled. "Please forgive me," he said, and this too seemed like healing medicine to him. In a few days, he was back to his old self once more and able to sit at the table with his King. Communion, however, was now more difficult. The King seemed to be waiting for something; waiting for his friend to speak or do something; but the King's friend did not speak or discuss doing any thing.
Suddenly, the King stood to his feet and started for the door. "I must leave!" he announced.
The King's friend was stunned, "Leave? Leave the castle? Why?"
"You know our problem," the King answered sternly. "It is this hideous Old Man. At the most unexpected moments he will "pop up" to frighten you and he greatly annoys me. Sometimes in the midst of our most enjoyable conversation the Old Man will scream aloud and shatter the peace. This situation has continued far too long. I have waited patiently for you to apprehend and quiet the troublemaker. You, however, have remained hesitant and even reluctant to do so. Friend, unless you do something with that Old Man I cannot remain!"
Frantically, the King's friend grabbed up his sword and rushed through the castle; chasing the Old Man from one room to another and up and down the hallways and stairways, until at last he fell upon him, and at sword point put him in chains. He then dragged him to the dungeon, far below. There, in a iron cell, he left the Old Man chained, and returned to the presence of the King.
All seemed to be well now until, once again, they heard the Old Man scream and howl and stomp and rattle his chains in protest. He hated his restrains and wanted to be free and to do as before. Sadly the King arose and started toward the door.
"Please don't leave!" the King's friend pleaded."
"I cannot stay unless you do something with that Old Man. You well know he will not behave but will continue to break the peace and mar the tranquillity of this castle. He will protest and attempt to defeat all my plans for the needed changes. You know, also, that he will not reform his way and become my obedient subject. He has terrorized all of the attendants. He has destroyed our garden and fruit trees. He has poisoned my faithful horse and twice he has attempted to kill you and I must warn you further that he will kill you and every beautiful and useful thing in this castle. I must, therefore, leave unless you take a hand in this!"
"But what can I do?"
"Put him to death."
"But this is hard," said the King's friend, "he is my relative, you see. I inherited him when I came to this castle. He has been here all my lifetime. I find it hard to put him to death although, I confess, I do not want him here."
"Indeed, it is impossible for you to do so!" the King answered. What I am asking is your consent. If you will put him in my hands I will put him to death. This is my promise!"
"I will!" shouted the King's friend. Then the King hugged his friend warmly and smiled. Inspired, the Kings friend raced down the stairs to the dungeon. Soon he returned leading the Old Man in chains and surrendered him to the King.
That very hour the King put the Old Man to death, saw him buried out of sight and set the grave stone with the marker and date of death which read: "HERE LIES THE OLD MAN, ENEMY OF THE KING AND HIS FRIEND."
The King's friend never forgot the moment the King returned with a smile and said, "Now we will have peace."
And that memorial day has lingered in the memory of the King's friend as the greatest day of his life.
The End
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