The sanctification set forth in the Sacred Scriptures has to do with the entire being--spirit, soul,
and body. Here is the true idea of entire consecration. Paul prays that the church at Thessalonica may
enjoy this great blessing. "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit
and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess. 5:23).
There is in the religious world a theory of sanctification which is false in itself and dangerous in its
influence. In many cases those who profess sanctification do not possess the genuine article. Their
sanctification consists in talk and will worship. Those who are really seeking to perfect Christian
character will never indulge the thought that they are sinless. Their lives may be irreproachable, they may
be living representatives of the truth which they have accepted; but the more they discipline their minds
to dwell upon the character of Christ, and the nearer they approach to His divine image, the more
clearly will they discern its spotless perfection, and the more deeply will they feel their own defects.
When persons claim that they are sanctified, they give sufficient evidence that they are far from being
holy. They fail to see their own weakness and destitution. They look upon themselves as reflecting the
image of Christ, because they have no true knowledge of Him. The greater the distance between them
and their Saviour, the more righteous they appear in their own eyes.
While with penitence and humble trust we meditate upon Jesus, whom our sins have pierced and our
sorrows have burdened, we may learn to walk in His footsteps. By beholding Him we become changed
into His divine likeness. And when this work is wrought in us, we shall claim no righteousness of our
own, but shall exalt Jesus Christ, while we hang our helpless souls upon His merits.
Self-righteousness Condemned
Our Saviour ever condemned self-righteousness. He taught His disciples that the highest type of religion is that which manifests itself in a quiet, unobtrusive manner. He cautioned them to perform their
deeds of charity quietly; not for display, not to be praised or honored of men, but for the glory of God,
expecting their reward hereafter. If they should perform good deeds to be lauded by men, no reward
would be given them by their Father in heaven.
The followers of Christ were instructed not to pray for the purpose of being heard of men. "But thou,
when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in
secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:6). Such expressions as this from the
lips of Christ show that He did not regard with approval that kind of piety so prevalent among the
Pharisees. His teachings upon the mount show that deeds of benevolence assume a noble form and acts
of religious worship shed a most precious fragrance when performed in an unpretending manner, in
penitence and humility. The pure motive sanctifies the act.
True sanctification is an entire conformity to the will of God. Rebellious thoughts and feelings are
overcome, and the voice of Jesus awakens a new life, which pervades the entire being. Those who are
truly sanctified will not set up their own opinion as a standard of right and wrong. They are not bigoted
or self-righteousness; but they are jealous of self, ever fearing lest, a promise being left them, they should
come short of complying with the conditions upon which the promises are based.
Substituting Feeling for Reason
Many who profess sanctification are entirely ignorant of the work of grace upon the heart. When
proved and tested, they are found to be like the self-righteous Pharisee. They will bear no contradiction.
They lay aside reason and judgment, and depend wholly upon their feelings, basing their claims to
sanctification upon emotions which they have at some time experienced. They are stubborn and
perverse in urging their tenacious claims of holiness, giving many words, but bearing no
precious fruit as proof. These professedly sanctified persons are not only deluding their own souls by
their pretensions, but are exerting an influence to lead astray many who earnestly desire to conform to
the will of God. They may be heard to reiterate again and again, "God leads me! God teaches me! I am
living without sin!" Many who come in contact with this spirit encounter a dark, mysterious something
which they cannot comprehend. But it is that which is altogether unlike Christ, the only true pattern.
Bible sanctification does not consist in strong emotion. Here is where many are led into error. They
make feelings their criterion. When they feel elated or happy, they claim that they are sanctified. Happy
feelings or the absence of joy is no evidence that a person is or is not sanctified. There is no such thing
as instantaneous sanctification. True sanctification is a daily work, continuing as long as life shall last.
Those who are battling with daily temptations, overcoming their own sinful tendencies, and seeking for
holiness of heart and life, make no boastful claims of holiness. They are hungering and thirsting for
righteousness. Sin appears to them exceedingly sinful.
There are those claiming sanctification who make a profession of the truth, like their brethren, and it
may be difficult to make a distinction between them; but the difference exists, nevertheless. The
testimony of those claiming such an exalted experience will cause the sweet Spirit of Christ to withdraw
from a meeting, and will leave a chilling influence upon those present, while if
they were truly living without sin, their very presence would bring holy angels into the assembly, and
their words would indeed be "like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Prov. 25:11).
The Testing Time
In summer, as we look upon the trees of the distant forest, all clothed with a beautiful mantle of
green, we may not be able to distinguish between the evergreens and the other trees. But as winter
approaches, and the frost king encloses them in his icy embrace, stripping the other trees of their
beautiful foliage, the evergreens are readily discerned. Thus it will be with all who are walking in humility,
distrustful of self, but clinging tremblingly to the hand of Christ. While those who are self-confident, and
trust in their own perfection of character, lose their false robe of righteousness when subjected to the
storms of trial, the truly righteous, who sincerely love and fear God, wear the robe of Christ's
righteousness in prosperity and adversity alike.
Self-denial, self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and Christian trust are the
daily fruits borne by those who are truly connected with God. Their acts may not be published to the
world, but they themselves are daily wrestling with evil, and gaining precious victories over temptation
and wrong. Solemn vows are renewed, and kept through the strength gained by earnest prayer and
constant watching thereunto. The ardent enthusiast does not discern the struggles of these silent
workers; but the eye of Him who seeth
the secrets of the heart, notices and regards with approval every effort put forth in lowliness and
meekness. It requires the testing time to reveal the pure gold of love and faith in the character. When
trials and perplexities come upon the church, then the steadfast zeal and warm affections of Christ's true
followers are developed.
We feel sad to see professed Christians led astray by the false and bewitching theory that they are
perfect, because it is so difficult to undeceive them and lead them into the right path. They have sought
to make the exterior fair and pleasing, while the inward adorning, the meekness and lowliness of Christ,
is wanting. The testing time will come to all, when the hopes of many who have for years thought
themselves secure, will be seen to be without foundation. When in new positions, under varied
circumstances, some who have seemed to be pillars in the house of God reveal only rotten timber
beneath the paint and varnish. But the humble in heart, who have daily felt the importance of riveting
their souls to the eternal Rock, will stand unmoved amid the tempests of trial, because they trusted not
to themselves. "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are
his" (2 Tim. 2:19).
Normal Fruit Bearing
Those who take pains to call attention to their good works, constantly talking of their sinless
state and endeavoring to make their religious attainments prominent, are only deceiving their own souls
by so doing. A healthy man, who is able to attend to the vocations of
life and who goes forth day after day to his labor with buoyant spirits and with a healthy current of blood
flowing through his veins, does not call the attention of every one he meets to his soundness of body.
Health and vigor are the natural conditions of his life, and therefore he is scarcely conscious that he is in
the enjoyment of so rich a boon.
Thus it is with the truly righteous man. He is unconscious of his goodness and piety. Religious
principle has become the spring of his life and conduct, and it is just as natural for him to bear the fruits
of the Spirit as for the fig tree to bear figs or for the rosebush to yield roses. His nature is so thoroughly
imbued with love for God and his fellow men that he works the works of Christ with a willing heart.
All who come within the sphere of his influence perceive the beauty and fragrance of his Christian
life, while he himself is unconscious of it, for it is in harmony with his habits and inclinations. He prays for
divine light, and loves to walk in that light. It is his meat and drink to do the will of his heavenly Father.
His life is hid with Christ in God; yet he does not boast of this, nor seem conscious of it. God smiles
upon the humble and lowly ones who follow closely in the footsteps of the Master. Angels are attracted
to them, and love to linger about their path. They may be passed by as unworthy of notice by those who
claim exalted attainments and who delight in making prominent their good works, but heavenly angels
bend lovingly over them and are as a wall of fire round about them.
Why Christ Was Rejected
Our Saviour was the light of the world, but the world knew Him not. He was constantly
employed in works of mercy, shedding light upon the pathway of all; yet He did not call upon those with
whom He mingled to behold His unexampled virtue, His self-denial, self-sacrifice, and benevolence. The
Jews did not admire such a life. They considered His religion worthless, because it did not accord with
their standard of piety. They decided that Christ was not religious in spirit or character; for their religion
consisted in display, in praying publicly, and in doing works of charity for effect. They trumpeted their
good deeds, as do those who claim sanctification. They would have all understand that they are without
sin. But the whole life of Christ was in direct contrast to this. He sought neither gain nor honor. His
wonderful acts of healing were performed in as quiet a manner as possible, although He could not
restrain the enthusiasm of those who were the recipients of His great blessings. Humility and meekness
characterized His life. And it was because of His lowly walk and unassuming manners, which were in
such marked contrast to their own, that the Pharisees would not accept Him.
Meekness a Fruit of the Spirit
The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. When this grace presides in
the soul, the disposition is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting upon God and a
submission of the will to
His. The understanding grasps every divine truth, and the will bows to every divine precept, without
doubting or murmuring. True meekness softens and subdues the heart and gives the mind a fitness for
the engrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obedience to Jesus Christ. It opens the heart to the word
of God, as Lydia's was opened. It places us with Mary, as learners at the feet of Jesus. "The meek will
he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Ps. 25:9).
The language of the meek is never that of boasting. Like the child Samuel, they pray, "Speak, Lord;
for thy servant heareth" (1 Sam. 3:9). When Joshua was placed in the highest position of honor, as
commander of Israel, he bade defiance to all the enemies of God. His heart was filled with noble
thoughts of his great mission. Yet upon the intimation of a message from Heaven he placed himself in the
position of a little child to be directed. "What saith my lord unto his servant?" (Joshua 5:14), was his
response. The first words of Paul after Christ was revealed to him were, "Lord, what wilt thou have me
to do?" (Acts 9:6).
Meekness in the school of Christ is one of the marked fruits of the Spirit. It is a grace wrought by the
Holy Spirit as a sanctifier, and enables its possessor at all times to control a rash and impetuous temper.
When the grace of meekness is cherished by those who are naturally sour or hasty in disposition, they
will put forth the most earnest efforts to subdue their unhappy temper. Every day they will gain
self-control, until that which is unlovely and unlike Jesus is conquered. They become
assimilated to the Divine Pattern, until they can obey the inspired injunction, "Be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).
When a man professes to be sanctified, and yet in words and works may be represented by the
impure fountain sending forth its bitter waters, we may safely say, That man is deceived. He needs to
learn the very alphabet of what constitutes the life of a Christian. Some who profess to be servants of
Christ have so long cherished the demon of unkindness that they seem to love the unhallowed element
and to take pleasure in speaking words that displease and irritate. These men must be converted before
Christ will acknowledge them as His children.
Meekness is the inward adorning, which God estimates as of great price. The apostle speaks of this
as more excellent and valuable than gold or pearls or costly array. While the outward adorning
beautifies only the mortal body, the ornament of meekness adorns the soul and connects finite man with
the infinite God. This is the ornament of God's own choice. He who garnished the heavens with the orbs
of light has by the same Spirit promised that "he will beautify the meek with salvation" (Ps. 149:4).
Angels of heaven will register as best adorned those who put on the Lord Jesus Christ and walk with
Him in meekness and lowliness of mind.
There are high attainments for the Christian. He may ever be rising to higher attainments. John had an
elevated idea of the privilege of a Christian. He says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1). It is not possible for humanity to rise to
a higher dignity than is here implied. To man is granted the privilege of becoming an heir of God and a
joint heir with Christ. To those who have been thus exalted, are unfolded the unsearchable riches of
Christ, which are of a thousandfold more value than the wealth of the world. Thus, through the merits of
Jesus Christ, finite man is elevated to fellowship with God and with His dear Son.