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Selected Messages Book 2
Through this experience and teaching the enemy has been working to
lead souls astray.
The teaching given in regard to what is termed “holy flesh” is an
error. All may now obtain holy hearts, but it is not correct to claim in
this life to have holy flesh. The apostle Paul declares, “I know that in
me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” (
Romans 7:18
). To
those who have tried so hard to obtain by faith so-called holy flesh, I
would say, You cannot obtain it. Not a soul of you has holy flesh now.
No human being on the earth has holy flesh. It is an impossibility.
If those who speak so freely of perfection in the flesh, could see
things in the true light, they would recoil with horror from their pre-
sumptuous ideas. In showing the fallacy of their assumptions in regard
to holy flesh, the Lord is seeking to prevent men and women from
putting on His words a construction which leads to pollution of body,
soul, and spirit. Let this phase of doctrine be carried a little further, and
it will lead to the claim that its advocates cannot sin; that since they
have holy flesh, their actions are all holy. What a door of temptation
would thus be opened!
The Scriptures teach us to seek for the sanctification to God of
body, soul, and spirit. In this work we are to be laborers together with
God. Much may be done to restore the moral image of God in man, to
improve the physical, mental, and moral capabilities. Great changes
can be made in the physical system by obeying the laws of God and
bringing into the body nothing that defiles. And while we cannot
claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian perfection of the
soul. Through the sacrifice made in our behalf, sins may be perfectly
forgiven. Our dependence is not in what man can do; it is in what God
can do for man through Christ. When we surrender ourselves wholly
to God, and fully believe, the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin.
The conscience can be freed from condemnation. Through faith in
His blood, all may be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank God that
we are not dealing with impossibilities. We may claim sanctification.
We may enjoy the favor of God. We are not to be anxious about what
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Christ and God think of us, but about what God thinks of Christ, our
Substitute. Ye are accepted in the Beloved. The Lord shows, to the
repenting, believing one, that Christ accepts the surrender of the soul,
to be molded and fashioned after His own likeness.