The Blind Leading the Blind

BLJ: There is much in this selection today. The importance of restitution for known sins, being responsive to the Holy Spirit to avoid having a seared conscious (this means someone who no longer feels conviction for their sin), and corrupt and backslidden church leaders. Read prayerfully and seek the Holy Spirit's searching of your soul for correction.

BLINDFOLDED BY THE BLIND

On one occasion a gentleman had moved away after being seriously involved in a sinfully-motivated insurrection against his pastor. A few months later God convicted him of his wrong, and he was smitten with condemnation and guilt. He promptly phoned the pastor long distance and said, "I am trying to get my life straightened out, and I am phoning you to tell you I am sorry for the way I hurt you and the church when I was there, and I want you to forgive me." Of course the man was promptly forgiven, and a warm feeling toward that brother immediately filled the pastor's heart.
However, the bitter irony of the story is this: That repentant young man was blindfolded and pushed into his wicked involvement by a conniving member of the church who helped plan the insurrection. He blindfolded this unwary brother and pushed him into the evil part he played (Gal. 5:10). Even though the conniving one was guilty of a far greater wickedness, he shrugged his shoulders and remarked, "I haven't done anything wrong."

BLJ: Woe on those leaders that lead others into sin. Especially, sin against a pastor. 

There seems to be only one way to explain why one who was blindfolded and pushed into sin, felt guilt, condemnation and conviction from the Holy Ghost, while the very one responsible for blindfolding him and pushing him into that awful sin, seemed to feel no guilt, no condemnation, and no conviction whatsoever. Nor did he feel it was necessary to apologize for his role in the matter. What could be the answer?

It could be two fold: first, the more guilty one may have become so seared (I Tim. 4:2) by repeated rationalization, that God could not get through to him with conviction. Secondly, it might be that he had decided he would prefer to wait and let his sin follow him to the judgment, unforgiven, rather than to confess his sins now, and have them forgiven, blotted out (Acts 3:19), and sent on ahead to judgment. It is hard to understand why intelligent people will make such an unintelligent choice, as to conceal their sins till the judgment day, but carnality in their hearts makes them do it. They would rather forfeit heaven than face the humiliation of coming clean, confessing their sin, and dying out to their stubborn self-will.

BLJ: If you refuse to repent and make restitution, your sin will follow you to the judgment. One way or the other your sin will be dealt with. Far better in this world through repentance and restitution.

It will be more tolerable (endurable) on the day of judgment for the unenlightened heathen of the world, than for corrupt and backslidden leaders in the church. Those who lose their souls from positions of control in the church, because of their backslidden state and corrupt practices, will receive greater condemnation, because Jesus said, "...it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you" (Luke 10:14). Also James warned, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation" (James 3:1).

Jesus pointed to those of His day that were so ARTIFICIALLY RELIGIOUS that they sought the highest seats in the synagogue, and the chief seats in the (sacred) feasts, and to show how righteous they were in their opinion, they made long prayers in public -- they would receive greater damnation (Luke 20:46-47).

ETERNITY! OH ETERNITY! WHERE WILL WE SPEND ETERNITY?

How could there ever be a more rude awakening than for a soul to stand before God on the day of judgment and receive His eternal "death-sentence" (Matt. 22:13-14) simply because he rejected the "death-route requirement" of God, and willfully backed off, refusing to pay the price for a clean heart? All responsible, enlightened souls will have to face the "death-to-self" here in this world, or eternal "death-sentence" at the judgment, and there is no other option. It is death to the carnal self here and now, for us, or it will be death to our souls forever. Since God has provided cleansing and purity for our defiled and depraved nature, we have no excuse.

Eleventh Bible Study: Children of God

Today's lesson comes from Hebrews 12:1-15 and is entitled "Children of God." This lesson not only deals with God's disciplining His children, but also deals with the necessity of heart holiness. The first part of the lesson highlights "endurance" and laying aside the "besetting sin." The last portion reveals the need of holiness to "see the Lord" and to maintain the health of the church. We will examine what does it require for someone to have a sanctified heart? When we consider "chastening" we will need to know that the difficulties of life are meant to develop us into the likeness of God's Son. Trials are never meant to defeat us, but to provide an opportunity for us to grow stronger. We need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and draw strength from God in prayer. A positive attitude in the midst of battles will help youth come through victoriously. Remember, God deals with His children out of love. The more severe the trial, the greater the victory. God's presence and blessings are the sweetest in the dark valleys of life (Psalm 23). The writer of Hebrews seeks to exhort the Hebrew Christians that were facing severe trials. He urges them to press on to holiness of heart and life to conquer those trials. This is great advice for us today.

The first section is "Endurance-Essential vv. 1-4." The writer of Hebrews uses the analogy of running a race in front of a group of witnesses. Just like an Olympic runner who seeks to win a prize, we are to run the Christian race for Jesus. To win this race, we need to "lay aside every weight." Can you imagine running a race carrying a 50 pound weight? No, you need to drop that weight to win. In the same way, we need to lay aside the things that would slow us down. Most assuredly, sin will slow you down. We are to run with "patience." That word "patience" actually means "endurance." We need to be able to finish what we start. Regardless of the trials and difficulties, we need to never give up and stay the course. How can we endure to the end? First, we need to fasten our eyes on Jesus. Others have run and been successful, so we can also. Jesus was tempted and tried in all points just like we are. As you run, do not be distracted by circumstances, keep your eyes on Jesus and He will bring you through. Second, we need to "consider him." Christ endured the hostility and opposition of those He came to save. Realize that what you may be enduring in nothing compared to what Jesus endured.  An unwavering faith gives us assurance of the future, and endurance in the present.

The second section is "Discipline-Essential vv. 5-13." Some people are not told the truth when they are presented the "gospel." Just "come to Jesus" and your life will be blessed and all your troubles will be gone. There is a saying I like and preach: "What you win them with is what you will have to keep giving them to keep them." People need to know the truth. The Christian life contains trials and tribulations. The rain falls on the just and unjust. The difference is that the Christian knows that everything that happens in his or her life is either God's perfect will or His permissive will. We are not to give up when trials come, but rather we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and we will prevail over the trial. This does not mean that we have to "jump for joy" when trials come our way. However, we are to recognize that trials make us stronger in the faith. Abraham's trials increased in intensity as he grew in faith and in the knowledge of God. Remember, you will ultimately triumph and the way you respond to trials has an impact on others, the saved and the unsaved. Draw your strength from God. Make the path of Christianity straight, plan, easy to follow. Live an exemplary life in front of those who are weak in the faith, lest they should turn away from God and be lost.

The third section is "Holiness-Essential vv. 14-17." A sanctified heart will enable you to live at peace with others and help you overcome trials and temptations. Without a sanctified heart, we cannot expect to se God. God is holy and He dwells in a holy heaven. Adam Clarke said, "No soul can be fit for heaven that has not suitable dispositions for the place." The writer of Hebrews informs us to "follow" or pursue peace and holiness because without it you will not see the Lord. The writer gives three possible dangers: first, the danger of a person failing "of the grace of God." Satan wants to destroy you. Prayer for the brethren will encourage and strengthen us to be victorious. The second danger is the potential of a person becoming bitter and spreading poison in the congregation. A bitter attitude can lie dormant for a long time, but it must be dealt with. The third danger is one who professes to be serving God, but who actually living to satisfy his own fleshly gratification.  Holiness, or entire sanctification, will defeat the three dangers. The purified heart is a heart that can endure trials and tribulations because it is dead to the world, sin and self.

I have written several times about the steps to obtaining a holy heart or being sanctified wholly. They are summarized as:
1. Being born again and not backslidden. If one is backslidden, you are candidate for repentance and restoration to a saved state.
2. Once you know that you are saved, you must begin to surrender your carnal traits one at a time, e.g. anger, greed, jealousy, etc. By surrender, I mean you acknowledge that they exist in your heart and you give them over to God for slaying. You surrender one at a time, but God moves in a single action to sanctify you.
3. Once you have surrendered everything and this may take a while, you in faith on the promises in the Word of God, exercise your faith that the work has been done. You continue in faith until you have the witness of the Holy Spirit that the work has been done. Never presume, wait for the witness.
4. Testify that you have been sanctified entirely and testify often.

The Golden Text is "For whom the LORD liveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." (Proverbs 3:12)

When you are in affliction, take comfort that it is a Divine correction; it is instruction from the Lord. A perfect God will do you no harm.

My summary points:
1. Endurance is essential. Never give up on God or yourself. God will see you through.
2. Discipline and correction is a part of the Christian life. Remember, correction comes from a loving Father.
3. Holiness is essential to see the LORD. Make sure you pay the price to get entirely sanctified.

Next week: "The Word Was Made Flesh." John 1:1-14

If you want to receive the next quarterly study, please contact me.

A Warning tp those that Pervert the Gospel

BLJ: This section contains what at first appear to be harsh words about those who disagree with the death-route approach to becoming sanctified wholly. Rev. Boardman was attempting to sound an alarm because he saw the holiness churches becoming lukewarm and worldly. A compromising church is not a true holiness church. Instead of being seen as harsh, I suggest he was like a person warning someone that their house was on fire. He wasn't gentle, but he was truthful. 

THE DEVIL'S DEVOTEES

St. Paul and the Corinthians had trouble with Satan's ministers upsetting the people with a perverted gospel. Paul told the people of the church not to be surprised when Satan's ministers do as Satan did -- transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, and thereby deceiving the people.

Paul had no less trouble with the Christians in Galatia. He seemed surprised that they were so soon removed from the true gospel to a perverted gospel (Gal. 1:6, 7). In verse eight it is clear that someone was preaching a perverted gospel, switching the people off the right track. Paul told them in verse ten that he could not preach to please men and remain a servant of Christ. In other words, should he do so wickedly as to preach to please carnal and sinful people, he could not be the servant of Christ and would, thereby, become a servant of Satan -- one of Satan's preachers.

This means that every preacher in the world who knowingly and purposely shies away from Scriptural "death-route" holiness is preaching a perverted gospel, to please carnal people, and he is one of Satan's ministers.

BLJ: The above seems harsh and judgmental, but is it truthful? I suggest it is. Bro. Boardman was trying to stop the slide into worldliness.

This being true, Satan has always had far more ministers, preaching his perverted interpretation of the gospel, than Christ has preaching the truth. And without any question, there will be many more preachers in hell, than in heaven (Matt. 7:13-14).

CRUCIFIXION "COP-OUTS"

Death dodgers are found in every realm. Someone referring to physical death, humorously remarked, "If I knew where I was to die, I never would go near the place!" One may smile at that, but seriously, that is exactly what the majority of professed Christian laymen, preachers, officials, executives, high and low, have done with respect to the death of their own carnal self. They shied away from their own execution. They are like the unsanctified Peter before Pentecost. He would sail into ecstasy on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:4), but the very thought of crucifixion turned him off (Matt. 16:21-23).

BLJ: People seeking to be sanctified wholly, need to want to die to the world, sin, and self. 

MALIGNANT MEMBERS

It was nearly forty years ago that we visited a church to try out for the pastorate. After I had preached both in the morning and evening services, the church met, and someone blocked my coming. A few days later the district superintendent prevailed upon them and they changed their minds, and gave me a unanimous call. Nearly three years went by when one evening the controlling member stood to testify, and reminded us of that evening when my coming to be their pastor was temporarily blocked. He said, "God told me I must confess that I was the one that blocked it." He then continued: "God also told me that I must divulge the reason I did it." Thus he acknowledged: "When you preached that Sunday morning, your message was so clear and strong on holiness that I was afraid I wouldn't be able to sit under your preaching."

BLJ: I have seen church boards that were so carnal that they tied the hands of the poor preacher and would not allow a true holiness revival. God have mercy on their lost and dying souls.

He later got under conviction over the way he had mistreated his former pastor. He told me he would have to go back and apologize to that pastor for trying to organize opposition and railroad him out. A few days later I asked him how he came out. He replied, "Not too good. We got into an argument as to which was the most to blame!"

The young man mentioned above was a typical "death-route dodger." He did finally do a little, weak seeking, but he never got down to business an he never did get through. Poor soul! His heart failed him in his mid-forties and he went out to meet God just as he was -- a holiness rejecter, unwilling to face the death-to-self issue, and pay the price for true heart holiness.

We wonder how often certain evangelists are rejected by pastors and people for the same reason. Is it not highly possible that more are rejected because of someone's fear of being "dug out" and "snowed under" than for any other single reason? If they had the "Perfect Love" experience of the sanctified heart they wouldn't be afraid, because "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (I John 4:18). My friend, does that ring a bell?

Are not many deceived holiness professors more inclined to pray for sinners to get saved than for themselves to straighten up the wrongs they have done? Did not Peter say that judgment must begin at the house of God? (I Peter 4:17).

Multitudes of seasoned holiness professors will go to the judgment, and from there to hell before they will go to the ones they have wronged and make things right. Do they forget that God's Word says, "Some men's sins are open beforehand, going to judgment; and some men they follow after?" (I Tim. 5:24). What is the matter with people who would prefer to wait until they get to the judgment where there is no forgiveness -- only punishment, with banishment -- instead of sending their sins on ahead, and having them forgiven, and placed under the precious Blood of Christ? Could it be that the Biblical teaching, that we, by the grace of God can live above sin, makes some unwilling to confess that on certain occasions they failed and fell beneath the Scriptural standard? Do they simply hope that God will overlook it and forget it when they have sinned? No! He records it (Rev. 20:12). God will, however, blot out an unintentional wrong from our record because of Christ, our Advocate (I John 2:1). But even a mistake becomes a sin if we repeat it, knowingly. And God will remove such sins from our record only as we repent (Col. 2:13-14) and henceforth, refrain from repeating them (John 5:14).

BLJ: Don't be a death-route dodger. Eternity is forever and you will go to hell if you reject holiness.

Dodging the Death-Route

BLJ: Ministers have a responsibility to be faithful to those God has placed in their care. Pastors need to be faithful to preach God's Word without compromise. Woe upon the minister the fails to do so. There will be blood on his or her hands.

DEATH-ROUTE DODGERS DECEIVED

It is nothing new for carnal leaders (official and non-official -- elected, or self appointed) in holiness churches, to drive pastors away and the Holy Ghost also, because of their bitter hatred of true "death-route" holiness. When preaching gets "under the skin" of controlling personalities, and they fear being "snowed under" and exposed, it is a dead giveaway that they have never settled the matter of the crucifixion and the sanctification of their own hearts.

BLJ: Carnality within the ministry is rampant. Pastors may fail to call a true holiness evangelist because of fear of becoming a public seeker at heir own church. Oh the dangers of pride! 


A HIRELING'S HANG-UP

However, the whole picture changes when official members backslide to the point that their preachers try to avoid persecution by being careful to never "dig anyone out" or "snow anyone under" as they used to. The most bitter opposition that ever comes to a true preacher of holiness, comes from those who have never paid the price for a truly sanctified heart, and never

intend to. St. Paul faced this problem when dealing with the church at Galatia, for he asked them; 

"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16). Any and every preacher that comes out clear and strong against the sins and carnal traits of which the people of his congregation are guilty, will suffer persecution from the hands of light rejecters. Preachers that have learned to appease and soothe carnality are on the devil's payroll and not Christ's!

T. E. Verner had it exactly right when he wrote: "As long as a pastor is true to God, he is the greatest man on earth. But when he lets down and fails to hold up the standard of righteousness, he is an enemy of God and the people...I know a preacher without the Holy Ghost is a failure." [21]

DEADLY DECEIVERS

Any preacher on earth who preaches a false holiness, denying the death to self, is just as much an enemy of true Scriptural holiness as the one who flatly denies the holiness doctrine altogether. And, furthermore, if he does not believe in the crucifixion of self, it is a positive proof that he does not have the experience of true, Bible holiness in his own heart. He has never been crucified, which is the only Bible way to be wholly sanctified. If he had the blessing of holiness, he would not oppose the Scriptural way of obtaining it.

BLJ: A true holiness pastor will do anything within his or power to see to it that his or her congregation hears the truth about entire sanctification. A congregation of entirely sanctified people will be cheerful givers, be a praying church and a church that reproduces through evangelism of the lost.

All ministers who are opposed to the crucifixion of self are preaching a perverted gospel, under Christ's banner, but under Satan's supervision. They definitely are Satan's ministers. What saith the Word? "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13, 15).

Death-Route Uniformity Unnecessary

BLJ: While the principle of the death-route is uniform, it is not a pattern to be followed. Everyone is different and therefore their experiences will be different. Follow the principle, not the pattern. Many of those listed below were from the early Church of the Nazarene. 

DEATH-ROUTE UNIFORMITY UNNECESSARY AND UNDESIRABLE

Speaking of the "death-route," we do not mean a stereo-typed pattern that every seeking soul must fit into. It would not be possible for every person to follow the same pattern because of the vast differences in personalities, backgrounds, temperaments, weaknesses, and inherited carnal variations. The prominent carnal traits are not the same in every individual. Some die harder at one point, and some at another. The important thing is for every soul to cover the ground from the condition his heart was in when God first convicted him of his carnal state, to the place of execution of old self, where his rebellious nature against God, and God's will, is slain, and his heart is purified -- and filled with perfect holy love. No one will ever become sanctified wholly by trying to get the experience exactly like somebody else got it. The Holy Ghost does not follow fixed patterns in such matters.
For example, Tom Bly, a spirit-filled layman in our third pastorate, was sanctified riding home from service one night in his buckboard wagon, after he had been an unrewarded seeker every night at the church altar for three weeks. He said, "The Holy Ghost fell on me; I thought He would burn me up."
Fairy Chism, many years a missionary in Africa, was sanctified on her way home, walking, from an evening service. She had been seeking faithfully and desperately for two years, and left the altar that night unrewarded -- almost to the point of despair. It took her two years to get totally dead to Fairy Chism. The Holy Ghost fell in great power on her that night -- a power which rested upon her throughout the many years of a distinguished ministry, as a missionary in Africa and as an evangelist back in America.

Reuben A. (Bud) Robinson was sanctified out in the corn field, hoeing corn. Uncle Bud, as he was affectionately called, was considered the most dearly loved holiness evangelist of his generation. [12]
Our dear friend and pastor-brother, Hubert Terry, was sanctified while lying on his face under a table in a Sunday School class room. He had been earnestly seeking holiness and dying out to self for three days.

BLJ: "Uncle" Buddy was the heart and soul of the early Nazarene church. What would he think of the modern holiness church?

Dr. Phineas Bresee preached a revival in his own church where he was pastoring, and realizing his religion didn't meet his needs, went to the altar, a seeker, and God sanctified him. Dr. Bresee became the founder of the Church of the Nazarene, and was doubtless one of the greatest Holy Ghost preachers that ever lived. [13]

BLJ: What heart hunger! To become a seeker at your own revival! This is an example of someone that will have all of God, no matter what the cost.

C. B. Jernigan, who later rose among the giants of Holiness preachers, was carrying a plow on his shoulders, praying and weeping when the fire fell and God sanctified him. He lost his plow and the carnal mind at the same time, but he got the blessing of a sanctified heart! [14]

Dr. H. C. Morrison, another giant among the holiness preachers, upon reading a letter from a friend, was smitten with conviction over his carnal condition. He prayed through at once, and God sanctified him. However, upon listening to wrong advice, Morrison lost the wonderful experience, but after a long bitter struggle, got it back again. Dr. Morrison lost his experience of heart-holiness because he was persuaded not to testify to it, and thus honor the Holy Ghost. Second blessing Holiness was not at all popular in those days and it was easy for one to keep quiet about it to avoid persecution. But persecution is exactly what all Christians need, while their anointed testimony is what God requires, honors and rewards (Rev. 12:11). [15]

BLJ: If you think second blessing holiness was not popular then, what about today! Today, it's about hurry, pray, make a dedication and speak in tongues. All in 15 minutes! In my opinion, the modern Charismatic Movement has done much to divert people away from the truth of Scriptural holiness because they have eliminated the teaching of entire sanctification. We that know the truth must proclaim Biblical holiness regardless of the consequences.

Talk about variation! Dr. A. M. Hills, after dying to carnal self, was hungering and thirsting for the holiness blessing. He had wandered in the unsanctified wilderness for nearly twenty years. Before arising one winter morning, it struck him that he should claim the blessing. He writes: "I began to do it, when speedily the Spirit came to bring the witness. A tide of joy swept into my soul, and I cried out, 'Oh, bless the Lord! Praise the Lord! He does come and fill my soul!'..."
He received a clear witness which he never lost during his mighty ministerial career. [16]

By contrast, Dr. J. B. Chapman, for many year general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, was saved under a brush arbor in September, 1899, and was sanctified holy the next night. Forty-seven years later he testified clearly that the experience still held good.6 Holiness is the establishing grace. It greatly helps prevent backsliding (I Thess. 3:13; Rom. 1:11; Heb. 13:9; 2 Pet. 1:12).

Dr. S. A. Keen relates his seeking and obtaining holiness of heart. He says:
"I struggled against doubt, caught a glimpse of holiness, then let go my confidence and turned back into the wilderness of legalism -- 'Do the best you can,' and work out your salvation with fear and trembling,' -- where I wandered for almost eleven years."

After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1868, he entered upon his first pastorate at Chilicothe, Ohio. Here he says: "I had come again in sight of Canaan. I hungered for its generous fruits. The first quarter in my pastoral charge was one of great longing to be made free from sin in my soul." Early in January he began a protracted meeting in his church, in which, though it increased in attendance, there were no conversions. As he left the pulpit on Sunday evening, January 3, 1869, the Holy Spirit spoke to him, saying, "How can you expect sinners to act up to their convictions when you do not act up to your own?" "That arrow slew me," says Dr. Keen. "I saw in an instant what was in the way of the revival. It was the preacher himself. My heart was broken. I then and there began to seek the best I knew. I cried out, 'Lord, I am thine, entirely thine' -- words I had used a hundred times, but now they came with this thought, 'Lord, I am thine entirely thine for you to do this thing for me.' They were scarcely off my lips until a peace inexpressible was in my heart. I arose from my knees, my praying was done.

"I did not recognize that the blessing of sanctification had come. All I knew was that a blessed soul rest had come. I went about my pastoral work, my feet were light, my steps were alert, my heart was joyous....The peace seemed even deeper. I slept very deeply. Sunday morning came. I arose and again knelt in prayer, but could say nothing but 'Lord, I am thine, entirely thine,' accompanied with a still sweeter sense of rest in my soul.

BLJ: One of the blessings of entire sanctification is soul rest. You know, what you know, that you know, that the work of cleansing has been done.

"Having finished my preparation to preach at about ten minutes before 11 o'clock, I knelt down to ask God not for full salvation, but to help me to preach once more. My knees had no sooner touched the floor when the witness of the Spirit was given to my soul, saying, 'It is done.' Then I saw that for eighteen hours I had been cleansed, filled, fully saved, and had not known it. My heart bounded with joy, my naturally ardent soul burst into a flame of rapture and my head became a fountain of tears. Jordan was passed. The Canaan for which I had so long 'cast my wistful eyes' was reached. That day sinners turned to God in great numbers, and in a few weeks over 160 had been converted. From that day to this, summer nor winter, has the Lord left me without blessed and pervasive revivals of religion. That tenth day of January, 1869, introduced a new era into my spiritual life. The characteristic of my experience since then has been rest, freedom and holy warmth in my soul." [17]
Dr. S. A. Kean [18] was a brilliant Methodist preacher who delivered cultured addresses but was without the vital touch of the Holy Spirit. In the course of his ministry he announced an evangelistic campaign which was well attended for several meetings, but during this time, none sought the Lord. After the seventh night, Dr. Kean went home and said to his wife: "There is something wrong with me. If I were right with God I could not preach without results."

Thereupon ensued a conversation back and forth between his wife and the minister himself, wherein she affirmed he was merely discouraged and blue, but he felt otherwise, saying: "It is not so. If I were baptized with the Holy Ghost, I would see people turning to God." To which Mrs. Kean replied, "If you need this, I need it to. Let us together seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit."

For the following seven nights Dr. Kean continued his revival, but at the close of each service, he and his wife knelt alone at the altar and asked God to sanctify them wholly with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. On the seventh day God poured out His Spirit upon S. A. Kean. That night while he was preaching as usual in the church, the glory of the Lord melted the people and numbers of them fell at the altar. Henceforth for the next thirty years he was noted as a brilliant, soul-winning, second-blessing preacher upon whose ministry thousands entered into the second blessing. [19]
(Please look to the reference note at end of this chapter for Scriptural proof that sanctification is definitely a second work of grace.) [20]

Dr. S. A. Kean dated his spiritual power on that seventh day of seeking when he exclaimed, "He has come! He has come! I know that I am filled with the Holy Ghost."
Dr. Kean is noted for his books, Pentecostal Papers and Faith Papers.
"There is a foe of hidden power The Christian well may fear. More subtle far than outward sin, And to the heart more dear.

It is the power of selfishness, The proud and willful I;
And ere my Lord can reign in me, My very SELF must die."

Route Rejecters

BLJ: It amazes me when people reject "death-route" holiness because the term is not in the Bible. Do you believe in the Trinity, for if you do, know that the word "Trinity" it is not in the Bible. People that reject dying to self and crucifying the flesh and the world, are rejecting holiness. Today's church needs to hear the message of death-route holiness. The church needs a revival and that revival can start when the people die out and get sanctified wholly. When that happens, finances will pour in, volunteers will be plenty and the church will make advances against the kingdom of darkness. What are you waiting for?

THE ROUTE REJECTER

Some would tell you that their only objection to the "death-route" is the word "route." What's wrong with route? The Christian life is a journey, is it not? John Bunyan understood it to be a journey all the way from the wicket-gate-start, to the final entrance into the Celestial City.

The prophet, Isaiah, said the way of holiness was a "highway" and a "way" (Isa. 35:8). The Christians of the early church called themselves pilgrims (Heb. 11:13). Peter called them strangers and pilgrims (I Peter 2:11). Why object to the term, "route," in referring to seeking and

approaching the point of receiving a sanctified heart? It is in perfect harmony with all of these above references.

Others claim they object to the term "death-route" because it is not a Bible term. But the word doesn't have to be in the Bible, if the idea is there -- and it is! The word "Trinity" is not in the Bible either, but the idea is there, so we accept it without the slightest scruple. "Sacrament" is another word that does not appear in the Bible, but who would suggest that we do away with water baptism and the Lord's Supper simply because the word "sacrament" is not in the Bible? No, my friend, that objection is simply a flimsy excuse. We need not scrap the term "death route" for that, or for any other reason.
With some people it may not actually be the terms that bother them, but the whole matter of coming to the point of death to carnal self. Objecting to a term could be a smoke-screen for a death rejecter to hide behind.

The crucifixion of self is the price millions are not willing to pay in order to get the deeper experience of the wholly sanctified heart. Hence they never receive the blessing of holiness -- purity, "without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).

Some rare soul unknown to me has truthfully said: "If one thing in your life is not totally surrendered [to Christ] you'll never be happy."

"Descend, O sinner, to the woe!
Thy day of hope is done;
Light shall revisit thee no more,
Life with its sanguine dreams is o'er, Life reached not yon awful shore; Forever sets thy sun!"

The Language Loophole

BLJ: Today's modern holiness church has neglected the language of the early holiness church that stressed eradication, entire sanctification, death-route, dying out, etc. As churches have moved away from the vocabulary of holiness, experiences have become shallow and almost non existent. How long has it been since you heard a red hot testimony of entire sanctification. People talk in general terms about holiness and the results are readily apparent. When people speak the language of holiness, you are more likely to hear of people being saved and sanctified. 

THE LAME LANGUAGE LOOPHOLE

Some of us lived in the days when the holiness churches began to shy away from some of the terms which had characterized the vocabulary of the modern holiness movement from its inception. To check this fatal trend, Dr. J. B. Chapman, General Superintendent, came out with, what some considered, the greatest book he ever wrote. He entitled it "THE TERMINOLOGY OF HOLINESS." One of the terms which Dr. Chapman contended for was "ERADICATION" as it applies to the carnal nature in man. The book no doubt slowed this liberal trend for a while, but it appeared to be only a temporary slow down. Careful observers noticed that when old meaningful terms were dropped, the reality for which those terms stood received less and less emphasis, until they were virtually, if not entirely abandoned.

BLJ: Dr. Chapman's book is excellent and clearly identifies the language of holiness. Just like people reference "the man upstairs" in a general way indicates a lack of relationship with God, people that use vague terms most likely have not been sanctified wholly. 

Many people have "died out" and were sanctified wholly without realizing they were following any particular terminology or any particular doctrinal pattern. But they were so hungry for a pure heart and perfect love that they simply followed the leadings of the Holy Spirit, by faith

to the total crucifixion of carnal self, and they received the blessing of sanctification, without, in some cases, having heard about it, or knowing what to call it.

Rev. Parker Maxey relates this account of a couple that he met in their later years while he was a young pastor. He states:

During pioneer days a young couple of Irish descent was homesteading in the state of Colorado. They had been wonderfully saved, and were full of the joy of the Lord. But, of course they were battling with the carnal nature, and did not know the cure. At times they would get into arguments and lose the joy. At other times, while working on the farm, the horses would step over the traces and snarl the harness. He would get mad and beat them unmercifully. Then while convicted of his anger, he would turn the horses loose and go in the house to talk to his wife about it. Together they would pray, until he prayed through.

Finally, on one of these occasions, he went in and got his Bible, and said, "I know what God did for me. I'm going to the woods and find out if God has anything better." In the woods he first prayed through and received the joy back. Then he began finding promises in the Bible. God led him to Luke, 1:74, 75 where God promised "...that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life." Then he read in James 3:17: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. "Then he turned back to the promise in James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him."
While pleading with God for deliverance, his faith took hold of the promise and wonderful peace came to him. He returned to the house and testified to his wife that he had found the cure. She replied that she would see whether he had or not. So sweetly did he live it that in a few weeks she became deeply convicted, and sought and found the same experience.

About two or three years later, a holiness tent revival came to their area. They attended the services and heard holiness preached. He said, "That's what Mom and I got two or three yeas ago."

"Take us, Lord, Oh, take us truly, Mind and soul, and heart and will! Empty us and cleanse us thoroughly, Then with all Thy fullness fill."

BLJ: While it true that someone can get sanctified without the terminology of holiness, it is our duty  when we know the truth, to speak that truth in love.