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A New Life (Revival and Beyond)
teach that sanctification is an instantaneous work, by which, through
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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 com-
mission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and
separates the soul from God.... Though John in his epistles dwells so
fully upon love, yet he does not hesitate to reveal the true character of
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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 com-
mandments, 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....
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 concep-