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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
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 will “the righteousness of the law” “be fulfilled in us
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” [
Romans 8:4
.]
The doctrine of sanctification, or perfect holiness, which fills a
prominent place in some of the religious movements of the day, is
among the causes that have rendered modern revivals so ineffectual.
True sanctification is a Bible doctrine. The apostle Paul declared
to the Thessalonian church, “This is the will of God, even your
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sanctification.” [
1 Thessalonians 4:3
.] And again he prayed, “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 Thessalonians 5:23
.] But the sanctification
now so widely advocated is not that brought to view in the Scriptures.
It is false in theory, and dangerous in its practical results.
Its advocates teach that the law of God is a grievous yoke. and
that by faith in Christ, men are released from all obligation to keep
his Father’s commandments. Bible sanctification is a conformity to
the will of God, attained by rendering obedience to his law, through
faith in his Son. Our Saviour prayed for his disciples, “Sanctify
them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” [
John 17:17
.] There is
no genuine sanctification except through obedience to the truth; and
the psalmist declares, “Thy law is the truth.” [
Psalm 119:142
.] The
law of God is the only standard of moral perfection. That law was
exemplified in the life of Christ. He says, “I have kept my Father’s
commandments.” [
John 15:10
.] And the apostle John affirms, “He
that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as
he walked.” And again, “This is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments.” [
1 John 2:6
;
5:3
.] Those who love God will love
his commandments also. The truly sanctified heart is in harmony
with the divine precepts; for they are “holy, and just, and good.”
It is only when the law of God is set aside, and men have no
standard of right, no means to detect sin, that erring mortals can
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claim perfect holiness. But let none deceive themselves with the
belief that God will accept and bless them while they are willfully
violating one of his requirements. The commission of a known
sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the