What Then? Part 2

3) The Holy Ghost gives us fitness for heaven. We read of the king who prepared a wedding feast for his son's marriage and invited guests to come in and fill the guest chamber. When the king came in, he found there one who did not have on a wedding garment. He asked, "Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" Then he turned to his servants and commanded them to bind the man hand and foot and to cast him out into outer darkness. Let us not forget here that this man had as much right to be at this wedding feast as anyone else who was there. He had been invited, and all who had been invited had the right to attend. I have the right to attend any social function, or any other gathering, to which I have been invited. It may not be right for me to attend some gatherings to which I am invited; but so far as the gathering is concerned, I have the right to be there if I am invited. Then why was this man cast out? Not because he was an intruder, coming in where he had not been invited; but because he neglected the fitness for the occasion. No doubt he imagined he could enjoy this privileged feast without meeting the requirements as to the fitness for it. Those who imagine they can make it by and get to heaven by merely accepting the invitation of regeneration, and thus neglect to put on the wedding garment of heart purity, are making the same fatal mistake that this man made. Peter cries out in clarion tones, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." This is as direct and positive a command as any in Sacred Writ. No one can ignore the plain commands of God's Word and stand clear in the day of judgment. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. John tells us in Revelation 20:6, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection." This implies that the unholy shall have no part in the first resurrection. It also assures us that upon those who have part in the first resurrection the second death shall have no power, thus implying that the second death shall have power on all who do not have part in the first resurrection. This, then, plainly teaches that the second death shall have power on all those who are not holy, and who are not clothed with garments of "pure linen" washed in the blood of the Lamb.

In II Thessalonians Paul says, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth"; and in Hebrews 13:12, 13 we are told that Jesus suffered on the cross for the express purpose of making our sanctification possible. In the prayer recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John Jesus prayed that the disciples might be sanctified; but He states in that prayer, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." That takes in you and me, for were we not led to believe on Jesus through the words those disciples wrote down? Thus Jesus not only gave Himself for us, but prayed that you and I might be sanctified. In the Ephesian letter we are told that Jesus gave Himself for the Church, that He might sanctify it and cleanse it. "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it." Then we are told the purpose, or reason for it, "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." In that great presentation day only the holy will be presented.

4) The Comforter dwelling in the heart gives a consciousness of a fullness. "Filled with all the fulness of God." He gives the consciousness of divine cleansing. He makes one feel clean on the inside. He gives one a consciousness of constant freshness. He makes one "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." He gives abundant fruitfulness. Thank God! He will walk with us and help us in every difficulty, comfort us in every sorrow, and bring us safely through every conflict. He knows every trial, understands every difficulty, and knows the solution for every perplexity. He gives us sweet, blessed communion with Himself. He can tell Him every heartthrob, and He never misunderstands. This communion implies fellowship and an intimacy, and He talks over with us the things that seem to hinder. He tells us the things that do hinder us, and we tell Him the things that we think hinder us. Not sin, that is all settled. But there come things and experiences into our lives that we think hinder us, but often the Comforter reveals to us that they are good for us.

There are times in the Spirit-filled life when one cannot shout, but he feels that holy awe; he is afraid to stir for fear of disturbing it. He wants no one to disturb him, not even the birds to sing, he is in such holy rapture. Then there are times when you will weep. You cannot quit. You do not want to quit. At times you may have a regular tear-up and disturb all the neighbors. The Holy Ghost knows just what you need and when you need it, and how to give it to you.

How marvelous and how wonderful that it has been made possible for everyone to have such a glorious experience of divine grace and salvation. Let no one stop short of it, but press on in the full assurance of faith. While there are doubters and skeptics, we need not let them deter us. The glorious possibility of this grace can be proved by experience. If one man proves it to be so, that establishes the Bible testimony against all the doubters in the world. The scientists and geographers and all other learned men, once believed the world was flat. Columbus rose up, declared the earth to be round, and proved it against all the doubters. Just so a great part of humanity believe that the carnal mind is destined to live to the end of our earthly pilgrimage: but the apostle Paul says their unbelief does not make the faith of God of none effect. And humble men and women are rising up every day and declaring deliverance is possible. O, that men would take counsel with faith and not with unbelief: It is no little salvation that Jesus came to work out for us. It is a great salvation. It is not pretense, not make-believe, but a real salvation from all sin, from all doubt and fear, from all guile and hypocrisy, from all malice and wrath, from all evil tempers of every kind. Finally, "take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief." Amen.