Why Do I Write So Much About Entire Sanctification?

The short answer is that entire sanctification is the great need of the church. In my travels and being a part of many churches and organizations, I have seen the effects of carnality in homes, churches and denominations. Carnality is selfishness and that selfishness leads to divisions, strife and separation. Psalm 133 tells us how good and pleasant it is for brethren to be in unity. Holiness (another expression for entire sanctification) brings unity of hearts and provides good ground for the Lord Jesus Christ to bring about His will.

Some churches don’t teach holiness as a second definite experience of grace. They teach that you must live with your carnal heart until death. They make death the ultimate sanctifier. However, 1 Corinthians 15:26 tells us that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. So death is your enemy not a sanctifying power. And, death has been defeated in Jesus Christ.

Sadly, some denominations teach entire sanctification but it has been so watered down to be a mere shadow of the truth. Holiness without dying to self (referred to as taking the death route), is to attempt to take something by faith without putting yourself in a position to “take it by faith.” It results in a holiness by presumption. The danger here is seen in the medical analogy of a vaccination. You get a little to ward off the disease. Some people get a presumed holiness and see that it doesn’t work so they either dismiss it or redefine the experience to mean just do the best you can. I actually had a “holiness” Chaplin tell a young convert that it was acceptable to go to a movie that was rated R knowing it would offend the Christian conscious. That simple act lead to a decade of falling away from the Christian’s walk and testimony.

Entire sanctification is a second definite work of grace that cleanses the heart from sin (the principle) and fills with the Holy Ghost. It is preceded by a complete consecration (total surrender of oneself) and faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to be applied resulting in the cleansing. Too often, the candidate for holiness fails to take the death route (Hebrews 13:13) and the consecration is incomplete. In the days ahead, I intend to write more about taking the death route. Holiness is essential to seeing the Lord (Hebrews 12:14) and we need to walk in all the light we have been given. Time is short and heaven is too precious to miss.

What are the Effects of Entire Sanctification in the Life of the Believer

When a believing child of God is sanctified wholly, several things happen which affect his or her experience and life:
1. The love of God is perfected in a mighty way. Romans 5:1: “The love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost who was given unto us.”
2. The filling of the Spirit brings a fuller persuasion to the soul. One can go from an unsanctified Peter who denied his Lord, to a Peter that proclaimed the gospel to thousands without fear.
3. The work of entire sanctification is fullness of peace. In regeneration, the soul is at peace with God. In sanctification, the soul is filled with the boundless peace of God.
4. He or she receives a divine frame of mind that is contrary to human nature and keeps the child of God serene and sweet under all provocation.
5. The Holy Spirit in sanctifying power produces a peculiar sensitivity of conscience. The Spirit filled Christian needs only to know the Word of God to know where he stands on any issue of life. There is clarity for the sanctified believer.
6. The Holy Spirit brings to the sanctified a clear appreciation of Bible truths. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance as you need them. The Bible is a joy to read to the sanctified Christian.
7. The sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit makes Christians living witnesses for Christ. Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me....”
8. There will be a constant growth in God’s grace after you are sanctified wholly. ‘Grow in grace and in the knowledge of God,” is the rule for Christian growth.

The above list is not exhaustive, but it describe some of the effects of entire sanctification in the life of the believer.

Entire Sanctification is a Doctrine Taught by the Bible

The following Scriptures taken from the New Testament prove that entire sanctification is a Bible doctrine:
1. Acts 26:18: “...that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” The Holy Spirit through the writer of the Book of Acts speaks of an experience that forgives sins and of another experience that gives the Christian an inheritance among the sanctified.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “And the God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray your whole spirit, and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul prayed for the entire sanctification of the believers in Thessalonica. They were strong Christians, read the first chapter to know their testimony.
3. Hebrews 13:12: “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered without the gate.” Here we find that sanctification is a part of Christ’s atonement, even as the forgiveness of sins is a part of that plan. This is not imputation of holiness, this is actual cleansing of the heart.
4. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Apostle talks of two works of God’s grace: forgiveness of sins and cleansing from all unrighteousness.

Entire sanctification is an instantaneous work of God’s grace. Many people accept the truth that sanctification is found in God’s Word, but do not know how to obtain the experience. Many Christians confuse purity and maturity. They see the Christian experience as a battlefield of constant conflict: a mixture of defeat and victory. They hope against hope that someday, someplace they will be able to find that victory which the soul longs for. God has a better way! No one has ever been able to obtain forgiveness of sins, except in Christ; likewise, no Christian can ever be sanctified wholly except through the blood of Christ and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Next, the effects of entire sanctification on the life of the Christian.

A New Beginning

Dear Friends,
I have been absent for almost a year, but I intend to post much more frequently now. My message remains the same: Holiness Unto The Lord!” I find myself motivated by an increasingly compromising worldly church. It is time for those that know the truth to stand and be heard. There is only one way to heaven, through the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no other way. There is a second act of grace known as entire sanctification which cleanses the heart from sin. The first act of grace known as salvation forgives you from your acts of sin. The second act of grace, Entire Sanctification cleanses your heart from the condition of sin.

We will be starting an Adult Holiness Bible study in July. If you want to participate, let us know. There is nothing to buy. Everything has been paid for, so message us or email and we will send the material to you as the Lord provides. We will discuss the lesson on this blog and you can follow along. There will be a daily Bible reading to help your spiritual growth.

For those that want a free flash drive with a lifetime of holiness reading material, contact us and we will send to you. Thank you Rev. Duane Maxey for your life work in compiling the material.

Today’s message is based on Hebrews 12:14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” KJV the word “holiness” is the Greek word hagiasmos and it is a masculine noun. It is not about continuous action, i.e., a verb. The Greek word means the state of purification. The Word is telling us we must be in a state of purification to see the Lord. This is consistent with Acts 15:8-9 that informs us that at Pentecost the believers had their hearts purified by faith. That is the condition of seeing the Lord: having a heart purified by faith, i.e. holiness. In the days ahead we will be writing about one can receive the holiness without with no one shall see the Lord.

Spiritual Leakage Part 2

Churches today seem to be battling from within, all in the Name of Jesus Christ. I have the impression that satan takes time off as believers shoot themselves in the foot, bury their wounded, and reduce the Gospel to a motivational self help approach to life. Call me "old fashioned," but the Gospel is about turning from sin, living a life above sin, refusing to compromise with the world, praying without ceasing, and living in victory in spite of one's circumstances. Reader, this post is about losing power. I suggest that one of the principle reasons that power is being lost is because the church has removed the ruggedness of the Gospel. The Gospel is about death. First, the death of Jesus Christ, and then, our deaths to sin, self and the world.

Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 Further, the writer of the book of Hebrews stated: "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his approach." What similarities do we find in these passages? The similarity is death! The key to spiritual power is death. No, I don't mean physical death. Instead, the death I write of, is death to the lure of the world, death to an easy life and easy grace, and death to anything that is contrary to the Word of God.

How many "Christians" don't read their Bibles? How many fail to pray? How many refuse to witness to others? The key to spiritual power is death and working for the Kingdom. No, I do not intimate or suggest that salvation is faith plus works. Instead, our salvation through grace alone causes us to work. Muscles not used become soft and flabby. In the same way, spiritual muscles not used will result in a loss of spiritual power.

Therefore, I suggest the following to prevent spiritual leakage:
1. Have a daily Bible reading plan that includes readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. While this article does not debate Bible translations, I suggest a good old King James Version. The KJV is direct and does not water down essential truths to make them more acceptable to the world.
2. Have a prayer list and pray over every item daily. You should include family and close friends, your pastor and local church, the President, Vice President, members of Congress, the Supreme Court, law enforcement officers, public safety officers, state governors, and local mayors and city council. Begin to intercede that those in authority would follow Godly principles that we might live peaceable lives.
3. Ask God to provide you an opportunity to share your faith to someone today.
4. Ask God to provide you an opportunity to show the love of Christ today to meet someone's physical needs.
5. Examine yourself to make sure you are dead to sin, the world and self.

These suggestions, although quite simple, will keep you from losing spiritual power. Someone you know needs to read the Bible today, and you may be the only copy they will see.

Spiritual Leakage: Losing Power

It seems that many in the church have lost their spiritual power. Too often this comes as a result of getting their eyes off Jesus and onto others. When we find offense or enter into strife, you will find spiritual leakage. Read the words of Samuel Brengle in his book, “Helps to Holiness:”

“There are many ways of letting power leak away. I knew a soldier who came to the hall very early every evening, and instead of getting his soul keyed up to a high pitch of faith and love, spent the time playing soft, dreamy music on his violin, and though faithfully, lovingly warned, continued that practice till he openly backslid.

I have known men whose power leaked out through a joke. They believed in having things go with a swing, and so they told funny stories and played the clown to make things lively. And things were lively, but it was not with Divine life. It was the liveliness of mere animal spirits, and not of the Holy Spirit. I do not mean by this that a man who is filled with the power of the Spirit will never make men laugh. He will. He may say tremendously funny things. But he will not be doing it just to have a good time. It will come naturally. It will not be dragged in "on all fours," and it will be done in the fear of God, and not in a spirit of lightness and jesting. He who wants a meeting of life and power should remember that there is no substitute for the Holy Ghost. He is life. He is power. And if He is sought in earnest, faithful prayer, He will come, and when He comes the little meeting will be mighty in its results.

The Holy Spirit should be earnestly sought, in earnest, secret prayer. Jesus said, "When thou pray, enter into your closet, and when thou hast shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly" (Matt. 6:6). He will do it; bless His holy name!“

If we are seeking to be a church that has the anointing and power of the Holy Ghost, we must commit our lives to the business of the Lord Jesus Christ. Extreme jesting, needless strife and contention, and a failure to commune with the Lord will result in spiritual leakage. Sanctified believers have committed their all to Jesus and keep that commitment as a condition of remaining sanctified. The church needs Holy Ghost filled believers that will storm the gates of hell and you can’t do that if you are arguing with your brethren over nonessential matters. May God help us to be the army we are meant to be.

What is Carnality? Part 4

Today, we look at another child of the Old Man: Miss Envy Jealousy. This trait is very ugly. Those that exhibit this carnal trait can in an instant create such strife and turmoil in the church that it can almost impossible to get anything accomplished. From the writings of E.G. Marsh, we learn the following:

"You certainly want to get introduced to Mr. Old Man’s next daughter, Miss Envy Jealousy. She has certain prominent traits by which she may be distinguished from her various sisters. You will notice a very greenish cast in her eyes. She is grieved over the happiness and success of others. She is absolutely unable to love others as herself. In fact, she calls that rank fanaticism. She selfishly begrudges the enjoyment of those around her. She is unfriendly toward those who are prospering and are exalted to higher positions than she can attain. She cherishes a hearty ill will toward these. She has a very strong feeling of ill will against those who are intruding upon what she calls her rights. This ill will frequently leads to hatred, wrath and even murder. In the further study of this, you will learn more about Miss Envy Jealousy.

Strange to say of one of such character, Miss Envy Jealousy is a great churchgoer, and like her brothers and sisters is found not only in the pew, but also in the pulpit. She fills any office in the realm of the church, from the very lowest office of the local church to the highest office of the general connection. She is very busy in the interests of her father, Mr. Old Man, and of her grandfather, Mr. Devil. It would be hard to find a more loyal daughter than she. By her good (?) reputation in the church she can more easily carry out the plans of her relatives and work havoc to the cause of God.

She is very wise in her work. Being such an apt mixer, she causes many compromises in the church. Preacher Man-fear is afraid to resist her. And even Sliding Elder, Love-of-praise, must often bow to her tyranny to hold his place of popularity She is strongly opposed to preachers who preach the Word. When the Word is preached in the power of the Spirit she often gets restless, turns pale, and often even faints. At these times Dr. Delusion must give her powerful tranquillisers of false security to keep her from realizing her true condition. As you can imagine, she is radically opposed to and cruelly persecutes those who preach a salvation that saves to the uttermost.

Regardless of her strongest protests, we will study her character as revealed in the Word of God. And the first charge that we bring against this daughter of the Old Man is that she caused the sufferings and death of Jesus upon the cross. The chief priests hated Jesus’ because they thought the people were turning to Him. Mark 15:10 says of them, “For he (Pilate,) knew that the chief priests had delivered him (Jesus) for envy.” Envy leads to murder. Any heart that envies may, under certain provocations, commit the most coldblooded murders known to man.

Let churches take warning. Miss Envy Jealousy is causing confusion, strife, divisions, etc., that are ruining the life of the church. “Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” No wonder that we have so much strife, so many divisions, so much confusion, so much evil work.” Of too many it might be said, “The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy.” Let us give good heed to the exhortation: “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” The Word says of such, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal . . . .?” Oh, that we would take warning from the counsel of God. “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; BUT WHO IS ABLE TO STAND BEFORE ENVY?” Yea, “Envy is as the rottenness of the bones.” Is it any wonder that this “rottenness of the bones” is causing such a stench in the nostrils of purity? This picture is enough to turn one’s stomach. Right in the church, envy, “the rottenness of the bones”, in all its loathsomeness is generating the stench of hell. No wonder Paul wrote the church at Corinth: “For I fear . . . lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults.” “For jealousy is the rage of a man.

Some things that reveal the presence of Miss Envy Jealousy: (True statements from testimonies) Envious or jealous of others OVER THEIR Wintering in Florida Fancy manicure; Public recognition; Name coming first; Life style; World Travel; Being invited to a home; Recognition from the boss; Undeserved Prosperity; Beautiful homes; Being mother’s pet; Standing in the church, home, or society; Designer dresses; Boy or girl friend; Preaching Singing ability; Talents; Education; Good position; Money and ease; Hairstyle, beauty, fine clothes, New Mercedes; Friends (And just dozens more!)

Some of the brothers and sisters of Miss Envy Jealousy: Murder; Hatred; Adultery; Malice; Fornication; Backbiting; Cruelty; and Drunkenness.