Wherever the word of God has been faithfully preached, results have followed that attested its divine origin. The Spirit of God accompanied the message of His servants, and the word was with power. Sinners felt their consciences quickened. The "light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" illumined the secret chambers of their souls, and the hidden things of darkness were made manifest. Deep conviction took hold upon their minds and hearts. They were convinced of sin and of righteousness and of judgment to come. They had a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and felt the terror of appearing, in their guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. In anguish they cried out: "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" As the cross of Calvary, with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was revealed, they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone for their transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith and humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Through the blood of Jesus they had "remission of sins that are past."
These souls brought forth
fruit meet for repentance. They believed and were baptized, and
rose to walk in newness of life--new creatures in Christ Jesus;
not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by
the faith of the Son of God to follow in His steps, to reflect
His character, and to purify themselves even as He is pure. The
things they once hated they now loved, and the things they once
loved they hated. The proud and self-assertive became meek and
lowly of heart. The vain and supercilious became serious and unobtrusive.
The profane became reverent, the drunken sober, and the profligate
pure. The vain fashions of the world were laid aside. Christians
sought not the "outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and
of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but . . . the
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight
of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
Revivals brought deep heart-searching and humility. They were characterized by solemn, earnest appeals to the sinner, by yearning compassion for the purchase of the blood of Christ. Men and women prayed and wrestled with God for the salvation of souls. The fruits of such revivals were seen in souls who shrank not at self-denial and sacrifice, but rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer reproach and trial for the sake of Christ. Men beheld a transformation in the lives of those who had professed the name of Jesus. The community was benefited by their influence. They gathered with Christ, and sowed to the Spirit, to reap life everlasting.
It could be said of them: "Ye sorrowed to repentance." "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.
This is the result of the
work of the Spirit of God. There is no evidence of genuine repentance
unless it works reformation.
If he restore the pledge,
give again that he had robbed, confess his sins, and love God
and his fellow men, the sinner may be sure that he has found peace
with God. Such were the effects that in former years followed
seasons of religious awakening. Judged by their fruits, they were
known to be blessed of God in the salvation of men and the uplifting
of humanity.
But many of the revivals of modern times have presented a marked contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in earlier days followed the labors of God's servants. It is true that a widespread interest is kindled, many profess conversion, and there are large accessions to the churches; nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant the belief that there has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual life. The light which flames up for a time soon dies out, leaving the darkness more dense than before.
Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination, by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new and startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason awakens no response. The plain warnings of God's word, relating directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded.
With every truly converted
soul the relation to God and to eternal things will be the great
topic of life. But where, in the popular churches of today, is
the spirit of consecration to God? The converts do not renounce
their pride and love of the world. They are no more willing to
deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly
Jesus, than before their conversion. Religion has become the sport
of infidels and skeptics because so many who bear its name are
ignorant of its principles. The power of godliness has well-nigh
departed from many of the churches. Picnics, church theatricals,
church fairs, fine houses, personal display, have banished thoughts
of God. Lands and goods and worldly occupations engross the mind,
and things of eternal interest receive hardly a passing notice.
Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.
In many of the revivals
which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences
have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that will be manifest
in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional
excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well
adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of
God's word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these
movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning
away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial
and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God's
blessing is not bestowed.
And by the rule which Christ
Himself has given, "Ye shall know them by their fruits"
(Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the
work of the Spirit of God.
In the truths of His word, God has given to men a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world. The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the character, the perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church. Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our time.
There are, in the various denominations, men eminent for their piety, by whom this fact is acknowledged and deplored. Professor Edwards A. Park, in setting forth the current religious perils, ably says: "One source of danger is the neglect of the pulpit to enforce the divine law. In former days the pulpit was an echo of the voice of conscience. . . . Our most illustrious preachers gave a wonderful majesty to their discourses by following the example of the Master, and giving prominence to the law, its precepts, and its threatenings. They repeated the two great maxims, that the law is a transcript of the divine perfections, and that a man who does not love the law does not love the gospel; for the law, as well as the gospel, is a mirror reflecting the true character of God. This peril leads to another, that of underrating the evil of sin, the extent of it, the demerit of it. In proportion to the rightfulness of the commandment is the wrongfulness of disobeying it. . . .
"Affiliated to the
dangers already named is the danger of underestimating the justice
of God. The tendency of the modern pulpit is to strain out the
divine justice from the divine benevolence, to sink benevolence
into a sentiment rather than exalt it into a principle. The new
theological prism puts asunder what God has joined together. Is
the divine law a good or an evil? It is a good. Then justice is
good; for it is a disposition to execute the law. From the habit
of underrating the divine law and justice, the extent and demerit
of human disobedience, men easily slide into the habit of underestimating
the grace which has provided an atonement for sin." Thus
the gospel loses its value and importance in the minds of men,
and soon they are ready practically to cast aside the Bible itself.
Many religious teachers assert that Christ by His death abolished the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There are some who represent it as a grievous yoke, and in contrast to the bondage of the law they present the liberty to be enjoyed under the gospel.
But not so did prophets and apostles regard the holy law of God. Said David: "I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts." Psalm 119:45. The apostle James, who wrote after the death of Christ, refers to the Decalogue as "the royal law" and "the perfect law of liberty." James 2:8; 1:25. And the revelator, half a century after the crucifixion, pronounces a blessing upon them "that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14.
The claim that Christ by
His death abolished His Father's law is without foundation. Had
it been possible for the law to be changed or set aside, then
Christ need not have died to save man from the penalty of sin.
The death of Christ, so far from abolishing the law, proves that
it is immutable. The Son of God came to "magnify the law,
and make it honorable." Isaiah 42:21. He said: "Think
not that I am come to destroy the law;" "till heaven
and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from
the law." Matthew 5;17, 18. And concerning Himself He declares:
"I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within
My heart." Psalm 40:8.
The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a revelation of the will and the character of its Author. God is love, and His law is love. Its two great principles are love to God and love to man. "Love is the fulfilling of the law." Romans 13:10. The character of God is righteousness and truth; such is the nature of His law. Says the psalmist: "Thy law is the truth:" "all Thy commandments are righteousness." Psalm 119:142, 172. And the apostle Paul declares: "The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Romans 7:12. Such a law, being an expression of the mind and will of God, must be as enduring as its Author.
It is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men to God by bringing them into accord with the principles of His law. In the beginning, man was created in the image of God. He was in perfect harmony with the nature and the law of God; the principles of righteousness were written upon his heart. But sin alienated him from his Maker. He no longer reflected the divine image. His heart was at war with the principles of God's law. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7. But "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son," that man might be reconciled to God. Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his Maker. His heart must be renewed by divine grace; he must have a new life from above. This change is the new birth, without which, says Jesus, "he cannot see the kingdom of God."
The first step in reconciliation to God is the conviction of sin. "Sin is the transgression of the law." By the law is the knowledge of sin." 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20. In order to see his guilt, the sinner must test his character by God's great standard of righteousness. It is a mirror which shows the perfection of a righteous character and enables him to discern the defects in his own.
The law reveals to man his
sins, but it provides no remedy.
While it promises life to
the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor.
The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the condemnation
or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance toward God,
whose law has been transgressed; and faith in Christ, his atoning
sacrifice. Thus he obtains "remission of sins that are past"
and becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is a child of
God, having received the spirit of adoption, whereby he cries:
"Abba, Father!"
Is he now free to transgress
God's law? Says Paul: "Do we then make void the law through
faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." "How
shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
And John declares: "This is the love of God, that we keep
His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."
Romans 3:31; 6:2; 1 John 5:3. In the new birth the heart is brought
into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with His law.
When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has
passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression
and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation
from God has ended; the new life of reconciliation, of faith and
love, has begun. Then "the righteousness of the law"
will "be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit." Romans 8:4. And the language of the soul
will be: "O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the
day." Psalm 119:97.
"The law of the Lord
is perfect, converting the soul." Psalm 19:7. Without the
law, men have no just conception of the purity and holiness of
God or of their own guilt and uncleanness. They have no true conviction
of sin and feel no need of repentance. Not seeing their lost condition
as violators of God's law, they do not realize their need of the
atoning blood of Christ. The hope of salvation is accepted without
a radical change of heart or reformation of life. Thus superficial
conversions abound, and multitudes are joined to the church who
have never been united to Christ.
Erroneous theories of sanctification, also, springing from neglect or rejection of the divine law, have a prominent place in the religious movements of the day. These theories are both false in doctrine and dangerous in practical results; and the fact that they are so generally finding favor, renders it doubly essential that all have a clear understanding of what the Scriptures teach upon this point.
True sanctification is a Bible doctrine. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonian church, declares: "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." And he prays: "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly." 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23. The Bible clearly teaches what sanctification is and how it is to be attained. The Saviour prayed for His disciples: "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." John 17:17. And Paul teaches that believers are to be "sanctified by the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:16. What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Jesus told His disciples: "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth." John 16:13. And the psalmist says: "Thy law is the truth." By the word and the Spirit of God are opened to men the great principles of righteousness embodied in His law. And since the law of God is "holy, and just, and good," a transcript of the divine perfection, it follows that a character formed by obedience to that law will be holy. Christ is a perfect example of such a character. He says: "I have kept My Father's commandments." "I do always those things that please Him." John 15:10; 8:29. The followers of Christ are to become like Him--by the grace of God to form characters in harmony with the principles of His holy law. This is Bible sanctification.
This work can be accomplished
only through faith in Christ, by the power of the indwelling Spirit
of God. Paul admonishes believers: "Work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both
to will and to do of His good pleasure." Philippians 2:12,
13. The Christian will feel the promptings of sin, but he will
maintain a constant warfare against it. Here is where Christ's
help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength,
and faith exclaims: "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57.
The Scriptures plainly show that the work of sanctification is progressive. When in conversion the sinner finds peace with God through the blood of the atonement, the Christian life has but just begun. Now he is to "go on unto perfection;" to grow up "unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Says the apostle Paul: "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13, 14. And Peter sets before us the steps by which Bible sanctification is to be attained: "Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. . . . If ye do these things, ye shall never fall." 2 Peter 1:5-10.
Those who experience the sanctification of the Bible will manifest a spirit of humility. Like Moses, they have had a view of the awful majesty of holiness, and they see their own unworthiness in contrast with the purity and exalted perfection of the Infinite One.
The prophet Daniel was an
example of true sanctification. His long life was filled up with
noble service for his Master. He was a man "greatly beloved"
(Daniel 10:11) of Heaven. Yet instead of claiming to be pure and
holy, this honored prophet identified himself with the really
sinful of Israel as he pleaded before God in behalf of his people:
"We do not present our supplications before Thee for our
righteousness, but for Thy great mercies." "We have
sinned, we have done wickedly." He declares: "I was
speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my
people." And when at a later time the Son of God appeared,
to give him instruction, Daniel says: "My comeliness was
turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength."
Daniel 9:18, 15,20; 10:8.
When Job heard the voice of the Lord out of the whirlwind, he exclaimed: "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:6. It was when Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, and heard the cherubim crying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts," that he cried out, "Woe is me! for I am undone." Isaiah 6:3, 5. Paul, after he was caught up into the third heaven and heard things which it was not possible for a man to utter, speaks of himself as "less than the least of all saints." 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, margin; Ephesians 3:8. It was the beloved John, who leaned on Jesus' breast and beheld His glory, that fell as one dead before the feet of the angel. Revelation 1:17.
There can be no self-exaltation, no boastful claim to freedom from sin, on the part of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary's cross. They feel that it was their sin which caused the agony that broke the heart of the Son of God, and this thought will lead them to self-abasement. Those who live nearest to Jesus discern most clearly the frailty and sinfulness of humanity, and their only hope is in the merit of a crucified and risen Saviour.
The sanctification now gaining
prominence in the religious world carries with it a spirit of
self-exaltation and a disregard for the law of God that mark it
as foreign to the religion of the Bible. Its advocates teach that
sanctification is an instantaneous work, by which, through faith
alone, they attain to perfect holiness. "Only believe,"
say they, "and the blessing is yours." No further effort
on the part of the receiver is supposed to be required. At the
same time they deny the authority of the law of God, urging that
they are released from obligation to keep the commandments. But
is it possible for men to be holy, in accord with the will and
character of God, without coming into harmony with the principles
which are an expression of His nature and will, and which show
what is well pleasing to Him?
The desire for an easy religion that requires no striving, no self-denial, no divorce from the follies of the world, has made the doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine; but what saith the word of God? Says the apostle James: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? . . . Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? . . . Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." James 2:14-24.
The testimony of the word of God is against this ensnaring doctrine of faith without works. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions upon which mercy is to be granted, it is presumption; for genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.
Let none deceive themselves
with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating
one of God's requirements. The commission of a known sin silences
the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from
God. "Sin is the transgression of the law." And "whosoever
sinneth [transgresseth the law] hath not seen Him, neither known
Him." 1 John 3:6. Though John in his epistles dwells so fully
upon love, yet he does not hesitate to reveal the true character
of that class who claim to be sanctified while living in transgression
of the law of God. "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth
not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected."
1 John 2:4, 5. Here is the test of every man's profession. We
cannot accord holiness to any man without bringing him to the
measurement of God's only standard of holiness in heaven and in
earth. If men feel no weight of the moral law, if they belittle
and make light of God's precepts, if they break one of the least
of these commandments, and teach men so, they shall be of no esteem
in the sight of Heaven, and we may know that their claims are
without foundation.
And the claim to be without sin is, in itself, evidence that he who makes this claim is far from holy. It is because he has no true conception of the infinite purity and holiness of God or of what they must become who shall be in harmony with His character; because he has no true conception of the purity and exalted loveliness of Jesus, and the malignity and evil of sin, that man can regard himself as holy. The greater the distance between himself and Christ, and the more inadequate his conceptions of the divine character and requirements, the more righteous he appears in his own eyes.
The sanctification set forth
in the Scriptures embraces the entire being--spirit, soul, and
body. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians that their "whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Again he
writes to believers: "I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God." Romans 12:1. In the time of ancient
Israel every offering brought as a sacrifice to God was carefully
examined. If any defect was discovered in the animal presented,
it was refused; for God had commanded that the offering be "without
blemish." So Christians are bidden to present their bodies,
"a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." In
order to do this, all their powers must be preserved in the best
possible condition. Every practice that weakens physical or mental
strength unfits man for the service of his Creator. And will God
be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer? Said
Christ: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart."
Those who do love God with all the heart will desire to give Him
the best service of their life, and they will be constantly seeking
to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws
that will promote their ability to do His will. They will not,
by the indulgence of appetite or passion, enfeeble or defile the
offering which they present to their heavenly Father.
Peter says: "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11. Every sinful gratification tends to benumb the faculties and deaden the mental and spiritual perceptions, and the word or the Spirit of God can make but a feeble impression upon the heart. Paul writes to the Corinthians: "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1. And with the fruits of the Spirit--"love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness"--he classes "temperance." Galatians 5:22, 23.
Notwithstanding these inspired declarations, how many professed Christians are enfeebling their powers in the pursuit of gain or the worship of fashion; how many are debasing their godlike manhood by gluttony, by wine drinking, by forbidden pleasure. And the church, instead of rebuking, too often encourages the evil by appealing to appetite, to desire for gain or love of pleasure, to replenish her treasury, which love for Christ is too feeble to supply. Were Jesus to enter the churches of today and behold the feasting and unholy traffic there conducted in the name of religion, would He not drive out those desecrators, as He banished the money-changers from the temple?
The apostle James declares
that the wisdom from above is "first pure." Had he encountered
those who take the precious name of Jesus upon lips defiled by
tobacco, those whose breath and person are contaminated by its
foul odor, and who pollute the air of heaven and force all about
them to inhale the poison--had the apostle come in contact with
a practice so opposed to the purity of the gospel, would he not
have denounced it as "earthly, sensual, devilish"? Slaves
of tobacco, claiming the blessing of entire sanctification, talk
of their hope of heaven; but God's word plainly declares that
"there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth."
Revelation 21:27.
"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. He whose body is the temple of the Holy Spirit will not be enslaved by a pernicious habit. His powers belong to Christ, who has bought him with the price of blood. His property is the Lord's. How could he be guiltless in squandering this entrusted capital? Professed Christians yearly expend an immense sum upon useless and pernicious indulgences, while souls are perishing for the word of life. God is robbed in tithes and offerings, while they consume upon the altar of destroying lust more than they give to relieve the poor or for the support of the gospel. If all who profess to be followers of Christ were truly sanctified, their means, instead of being spent for needless and even hurtful indulgences, would be turned into the Lord's treasury, and Christians would set an example of temperance, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. Then they would be the light of the world.
The world is given up to self-indulgence. "The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" control the masses of the people. But Christ's followers have a holier calling. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean." In the light of God's word we are justified in declaring that sanctification cannot be genuine which does not work this utter renunciation of the sinful pursuits and gratifications of the world.
To those who comply with
the conditions, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate,
. . . and touch not the unclean," God's promise is, "I
will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall
be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians
6:17, 18. It is the privilege and the duty of every Christian
to have a rich and abundant experience in the things of God. "I
am the light of the world," said Jesus. "He that followeth
Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
John 8:12. "The path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs
4:18. Every step of faith and obedience brings the soul into closer
connection with the Light of the world, in whom there "is
no darkness at all." The bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness
shine upon the servants of God, and they are to reflect His rays.
As the stars tell us that there is a great light in heaven with
whose glory they are made bright, so Christians are to make it
manifest that there is a God on the throne of the universe whose
character is worthy of praise and imitation. The graces of His
Spirit, the purity and holiness of His character, will be manifest
in His witnesses.
Paul in his letter to the Colossians sets forth the rich blessings granted to the children of God. He says: We "do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." Colossians 1:9-11.
Again he writes of his desire
that the brethren at Ephesus might come to understand the height
of the Christian's privilege. He opens before them, in the most
comprehensive language, the marvelous power and knowledge that
they might possess as sons and daughters of the Most High. It
was theirs "to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in
the inner man," to be "rooted and grounded in love,"
to "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length,
and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge." But the prayer of the apostle reaches the climax
of privilege when he prays that "ye might be filled with
all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19.
Here are revealed the heights of attainment that we may reach through faith in the promises of our heavenly Father, when we fulfill His requirements. Through the merits of Christ we have access to the throne of Infinite Power. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32. The Father gave His Spirit without measure to His Son, and we also may partake of its fullness. Jesus says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" Luke 11:13. "If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it." "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 14:14, 16:24.
While the Christian's life will be characterized by humility, it should not be marked with sadness and self-depreciation. It is the privilege of everyone so to live that God will approve and bless him. It is not the will of our heavenly Father that we should be ever under condemnation and darkness. There is no evidence of true humility in going with the head bowed down and the heart filled with thoughts of self. We may go to Jesus and be cleansed, and stand before the law without shame and remorse. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1.
Through Jesus the fallen
sons of Adam become "sons of God." "Both He that
sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which
cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." Hebrews 2:11.
The Christian's life should be one of faith, of victory, and joy
in God. "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:
and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
I John 5:4. Truly spoke God's servant Nehemiah: "The joy
of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10. And Paul says:
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give
thanks: for this
is the will of God in Christ
Jesus concerning you." Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Such are the fruits of Bible conversion and sanctification; and it is because the great principles of righteousness set forth in the law of God are so indifferently regarded by the Christian world that these fruits are so rarely witnessed. This is why there is manifest so little of that deep, abiding work of the Spirit of God which marked revivals in former years.
It is by beholding that we become changed. And as those sacred precepts in which God has opened to men the perfection and holiness of His character are neglected, and the minds of the people are attracted to human teachings and theories, what marvel that there has followed a decline of living piety in the church. Saith the Lord: "They have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." Jeremiah 2:13.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. . . . But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3. It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16.
