Sanctification.
Zion's Advocate, January 1903, Vol. 42 , No. 1.
Some religious fanatics claim to have attained a state of complete holiness, in which they say they are living so pure that they never commit any sin or do anything that is wrong. They call this state "Sanctification." We propose to show that this claim has no foundation in the word of God, and that it is contradictory to its teaching.The human family is no better now than it was when Solomon wrote, "There is not a just man on earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." Ecclesiastes 7:20. Recognizing this truth, David said, "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" Psalm 130: 3. These declarations belong to all ages of the world, and describe the state of the entire human family. Not one of the race of mankind has ever risen above this, and not one ever will. Pharisees and hypocrites may claim what they please, the truth as expressed by these passages will remain the same.
All "holiness" people use the prayer the Saviour taught his disciples. They call it the Lord's prayer, and take pride in memorizing and repeating it. In that prayer we are commanded to say, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matthew 7:12. That the debts for which forgiveness is asked in this petition are sins is shown by comparing this passage with Luke 11:4. Those who claim to be entirely clear of sin, so that they never commit any, cannot use this petition consistently. This prayer was intended for the disciples of Jesus to use at all times, and can be used by them consistently every day. Therefore they have sins every day for which they should seek forgiveness. Those who think they do nothing wrong can use the Pharisee's prayer and thank God they are not as other men are, but they can have no use for the prayer taught by the Lord.
John was a disciple whom Jesus especially loved. See John 13:23: 19:26; 20:2; and 21:7,20,24. So near were they bound in holy affection that John sat by Jesus at the Supper and leaned on his bosom. What an honor it was to be the bosom-friend of the Saviour! Surely no one has ever been more greatly blessed or more highly favored than was this beloved disciple. No one has ever lived nearer the Saviour than he did, and no one can live a purer life than he must have lived. Yet he said, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Notice that he said, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves," &c. Here he includes himself with those addressed. If such a loving disciple as John could say he would deceive himself in saying he had no sin, what might we poor, sinful mortals say? Might we not well say, with Isaiah, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips?" Isaiah 6:5.
Paul had as great reason to glory in the flesh as any one ever had. Besides he was most wonderfully converted and called to the gospel ministry and to the apostleship. The genuineness of his profession cannot be doubted. He did not claim too much when he referred to himself as a "pattern to them who should hereafter believe." I. Timothy 1:16. Yet when he spoke of himself as a saint he said he was less than the least of all, and when he spoke of himself as a sinner he called himself the chief. Those who claim perfect holiness in the flesh cannot so regard themselves. They can only speak of themselves as being as good as the very best.
Paul said of himself, after he was regenerated and called to the apostleship: "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me: but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of god after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 7:15-25. Surely this is the language of one who does not view himself as the "Holiness" people view themselves. If Paul is the pattern, those boasting pretenders have gone beyond the pattern! How very absurd!
The saints at Philippi are exhorted to "let each esteem other better than themselves." Philippians 2:3. This church seems to have been very orderly. The members had obeyed in Paul's presence and much more in his absence. Philippians 2:12. None could excel such faithfulness in obedience. Yet they were each exhorted to esteem other better than themselves, which they could not do if they were as perfect as the "Holiness" people pretend to be. If one thinks himself as good as he can be he cannot esteem others any better. Here is one command which such persons cannot obey. Christians are commanded to humble themselves in the sight of God and under his hand (James 4:10, and I. Peter 5:6), but how can one humble himself who thinks himself perfect? There is neither cause nor room for humility in such a case.
"Let us go on to perfection," said the inspired writer to the Hebrews. The "Holiness" people are not in company with those who, like the primitive Christians, are only on the road. They claim to have reached the end of that journey, and they might arrogantly say to the plodding ones whom they imagine to be far behind, "Come on to perfection! We are already there! Why are you so slow?" How different is this boasting pharisaical spirit from that of the true, humble, penitent children of God! With a deep sense of their imperfections they can only say, "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse." Job 9:20. Those who know the "plague of their own hearts" (I. Kings 8:38) feel to say with that suffering patriarch, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth."
The people of God are described in the Bible as a sorrowing people who are passing through great tribulations here. They can see nothing in themselves to boast of, but ever feel to confess themselves unworthy to claim a home in the church of Christ here, and a home in heaven above. Being aware of the omniscience and omnipresence of God, they are constrained to say with David, "O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee." Psalms 59:5. Their impure thoughts and actions greatly distress them. They think that if others could see them as they see themselves, no one would have any fellowship for them. Reviewing the past they are made to say,
"How oft, alas, this wretched heart has wandered from the Lord!"
J. R. D.
(To be continued.)
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