Tag Archives: Sanctification

Born Again, Faith

NICODEMUS-HOW CAN I KNOW?

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Nicodemus wanted to know how he could know if he was born again. The rich young ruler wanted to know what he could do to have eternal life. The questions are similar, the answer to both is found in Jesus, not in works, position, or tradition.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  John 3: 3-6-Nicodemus

“Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16=Rich Young Ruler

We are born of flesh through our mothers. But, being born of the Spirit is the work of God alone. No earthly flesh can get you born again. It is the Spirit that will change us into a new life, free from the ancestral tendencies of sin.

Over the years, I have heard many reasons why someone will miss out on the kingdom of God. Most of them have to do with some cherished sin, dogma, or worldview. But, the number one reason for a person to perish without any hope of a future with God is to reject Christ and push away the work of the Holy Spirit. For the unbeliever, it comes down to simply not believing He is the Son of God. But also unbelief that He can give a person both forgiveness of sins and the power over their cherished sins.

Nicodemus was not an unbeliever. What would keep him out of the kingdom was that He had never been born again! Jesus made it very clear that…

“…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.“

John 3:5

This mystified the learned Pharisees. A hard question for each person who is a believer and points to their church-going upbringing, denomination, and tradition must ask this:

“Have I been born again? How do I know?”

Nicodemus went through this conversation with Jesus because he thought one way, and Jesus corrected him. It is not unusual for God to ask us to take an inventory of our lives.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

2 Corinthians 13:5

I hope you caught the answer to the “test.” It is whether you know (or do not know) that Jesus Christ is in you. If you can’t answer affirmatively, maybe you have not been born again. Because if you have been born again, you will know” that Jesus Christ is in you.”

Are you a churchgoer, a church leader, or a pastor, but the experience of being born again mystifies you? If your thoughts are more on being good (fill in the denomination name), then maybe you are like the prideful Nicodemus and have never been born again.

Jesus continued:

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ”

John 3:6

Here Jesus mentions two entities: flesh and spirit.

Flesh-Our Nature

By nature, the heart is evil; No human invention can find a remedy for the sinning soul. Job asks:

“who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 14:4.

“The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7

Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil. Jeremiah 13:23

“Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

Matthew 15:19

Paul struggled with this, but he knew the answer:

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to 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 will deliver me from this body of death?  Romans 7: 21-24

The answer:

I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:25

The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.” Desire of Ages, p172

Notice: The Christian life is a “transformation of nature...and the “effectual working of the Holy Spirit. ”

“There is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

As each person is convicted of their sins, they will turn to Jesus alone. The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin (John 16:8). This is part of your birth pains! But you have not been born again yet.

Conviction leads to repentance again, the work of the Holy Spirit. Repentance comes when you get a good view of God’s goodness toward you! It is the realization that you must turn from what you are or have been doing because it dishonors the goodness of God, and you have no power. You are still in birth pains.

“…do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 

Romans 2:4

Repentance will lead us to ask Jesus only for forgiveness (Confession). You will open the door to your heart to let Him come in and be a personal God to you (Rev. 3:20). If you make a firm decision to follow and obey Him, you will be bold. Your first act is a public declaration by following Jesus in baptism by immersion. This baptism shows that you have died to your old way of life and risen as a new person.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.

Desire of Ages, p. 172

The Spirit-A New Nature

Walking in the newness of life means “living” in and according to God’s will. You will desire to grow in your experience with Christ. Your attention towards self with change to humble service and love of other people. This is how you will know you have been reborn and are a true disciple of Christ.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

Sadly, I have often seen someone convicted of sin commit to Christ. They are baptized and then immediately (if not later) return to their old way of life. What happened? They were baptized but did not rise out of the waters, a new creature in Christ. They were not reborn! They went into the grave of baptism and came up a wet unconverted sinner.

There are two ditches we can fall into if we are not careful. They are direct opposites of each other.

First is thinking you have to reach a point of perfection before you can enter the kingdom of God. The other is the dangerous teaching of the presumption that I am locked in once I have received Christ into my life and been baptized. I can’t fall from grace.

Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking you can reach a point in your experience where you stop sinning because you can’t!

Don’t misunderstand. God will give you either instant or a battled victory over sins that “so easily beset you,” such as drinking, drugs, temper, theft, lying, etc., but you are still a sinner saved by the grace of God through the faith. The big difference is that you are aware of your sinfulness and desire to really change things in your life to glorify Him!

Sinning is not limited to the legalistic view of obeying the ten commandments. As Jesus explained, it is a heart or spiritual experience of trust that leads to obedience to God’s will. For example, we can sin by not trusting God. or by knowing to do good and not doing it.

“for whatever is not from faith is sin..” Romans 14:23

“…to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

James 4:17

It is a sad, unproductive selfish person who thinks they must stop sinning entirely before entering the kingdom of heaven. They don’t understand justification (being made righteous by the blood of Christ). They do not understand a life of faith. They do not understand that the works of the law do not justify them.

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Romans 3:28

Conversely, It is a presumptuous person who thinks once they are baptized, they are locked in and cannot fall from God’s grace. God continues to tell us to be on guard against the wiles of the devil and our own sinful nature. If we could not fall from grace, why would we need to put on the armor of God?


You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Romans 6:13

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 10:12

These words of Paul were written to believers in Rome and Corinth. Not to unbelievers!

The presumption of being unable to fall is just as dangerous as the legalists who feel they must be good enough and constantly fearful of salvation in Christ. Sanctification (the work of a lifetime, where God shapes a person’s life) is not appreciated by these believers.

How Can I Know I Have Been Born Again?

Keep this in mind. It is for our encouragement and God’s will for us to know we have salvation and have been born again. It happens by faith (trust) in God and His word:

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:13

The first part of this verse is often quoted, but the last part is just as important. “that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” As we get to know the written word of God and have a personal experience with Jesus, He gives us assurance and the ability to continue to trust in God. Some people start the good fight of faith but fade away because there is no power from the saving knowledge in their experience with Jesus. They have left the side of Jesus and fallen into unbelief.

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

Hebrews 3:12

Conclusion

We will know that we have been born again, and so will our friends and family because there will be a decided change in the person’s personality, lifestyle, and love for others. Why? Because Jesus has given us a new heart through the work of the Holy Spirit, not just one time, but continually. A Christ-like love will mark our lives for others and the God we serve.

“While the work of the Spirit is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest (made known). If the Spirit of God has renewed the heart, the life will bear witness to the fact. While we cannot do anything to change our hearts or to bring ourselves into harmony with God; while we must not trust at all to ourselves or our good works, our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts.”  Steps to Christ p. 57

The work of the Holy Spirit to change our sinful tendencies is as imperceptible and invisible as the paths of the wind. It is because it is the Spirit of God who works on our hearts and minds to change us. The Spirit cannot be seen. Won’t you allow Him to do that in your life today? He can’t do it unless you give Him permission.

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:8


Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20
Salvation to the uttermost

SAVED TO THE UTTERMOST-THE SECOND “P” OF SALVATION

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 “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”

Hebrews 10:39

Christ came to save us from the Power of Sin. This is the 2nd “P” of salvation

We learned from our previous two studies that we are in a tight spot regarding sin.  We have all sinned.  Adam and Eve sinned and we have inherited the nature of sin so that we sin without having to think much about it.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me

Psalms 51:5

We are born with a bent towards sin like the “slash” in this picture:

SIN   \    Righteousness (Jesus)

But when we invite Jesus into our lives, he gives us a new heart and now we are bent towards Him and righteousness like this picture

SIN    /       Righteousness (Jesus)

Because we are born with a “bent” towards sin, if left unchecked, we will reap the Penalty of Sin i.e., eternal death.  But, through the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we are drawn towards Him and eternal life.

Once we confessed our sins and repented of our sins and received Him into our lives, we move from the curse of death to the promise of eternal life.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

John 5:24

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 3:19

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While the saved are still mortal and subject to the first death, they are not subject to the second death.  Instead they are resurrected to eternal life.

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power,

Revelation 20:6

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

John 5:28, 29

Yes, It is at the resurrection where we realize the promise of eternal life.  We die the first death with the promise of being resurrected.  It is not until then that we “put on immortality” and will never die again.

“So when this corruptible has put on incorruption (subject to death), and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:54

The above verse is in the context of the second coming when the trumpet shall sound in the dead in Christ shall rise first.

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

1 Corinthians 15: 51-52

This is in complete agreement with what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

Plainly stated, we are not immortal until Jesus returns, resurrects us,  and gives it to us.

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Let’s turn our attention to the second “P” of salvation.  Jesus saves us from the Power of sin that is in our life.

As Christ was brought back from death to life by the glorious power of the Father, so we, too, should live a new kind of life.

Romans 6:4

After receiving Christ, we are to live a new kind of life.  It is a life of obedience to his word….his commands

If you love me, keep my commandments

John 14:15

With our new heart, we will follow Jesus and do His will, not in order to be saved from the penalty of sin, but because we have a new heart.

When we are baptized, we began a life of obedience.  We were following the command of Jesus to be baptized as a demonstration of a changed life.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

Jesus gives us the power to walk in this new life.  We do not say, “Thank you Lord for saving me from death.  I will take it from here.“

No!  As we received eternal life by faith, we are to walk by faith.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Colossians 2:6

What does it mean to be saved from the Power of sin?

The sins that you once enjoyed, you no longer enjoy them.  It doesn’t mean you don’t have a struggle with them, because you will.  The old life will try to draw you back

The things you didn’t enjoy before, you now enjoy (e.g. Bible study, prayer, fellowship with other Christians, and doing good for others),

Because of Jesus and your rebirth, you will be different.  Your friends will see a change in you. The liar will stop lying, the thief will stop stealing, the adulterer will stop chasing women.  You will have a new appreciation for your parents.  You will be careful how you use the name of Jesus and God.  

Why?  Because Jesus has saved you from the power of sin which is transgression of His law.  Instead of transgressing, you will have a new respect for the will of God and desire to do it.

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Now listen carefully what the word has to say about this new walk.  It will not be without resistance from the enemy and from your own sinful nature.

The carnal (flesh) nature that you still possess has resistance to the spiritual nature Jesus has given you.  As time goes on, you will experience the battle that takes place daily between good and evil between carnal and spiritual.  Paul put it this way:

“…that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.“

Romans 8:4

Did you catch that?  The requirements of the law are fulfilled if we walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh.  Obedience comes from a new nature and walking by that.  Obedience is not the way to salvation, it is the result of salvation.

Our daily life with its many activities is called a “walk.”  It is what you do and say every day.  These activities are to be done in faith or trust, just the same way you received Christ (by faith)…as stated above:

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Colossians 2:6

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Romans 13:13

By walking in the Spirit, we are following the spirit-inspired word of God which is His will.  We will not have activities that include such things as described above e.g. drunkenness and parties.  Why?  Because our hearts have been changed. If the heart has not been changed, we will continue in those things that please and satisfy the sinful nature.

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Your new walk will not go unchallenged by the flesh.  It will call you back at weak moments in particular.  It will try to draw you back.

As our opening verse states, it is possible to be drawn back to perdition (state of sin and unbelief).  This verse is set in the context of endurance from the verses before it:

“For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise.”

Hebrews 10:36

Notice that those who receive the promise do the will of God.  This is how they are identified and what distinguishes the true from the false follower.  Jesus asked,

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

Luke 6: 46-48

The Bible is filled with warnings of staying close to Jesus and to put on the whole armor of God.  We are in a fight, but as we “walk” in faith with Jesus we should have no fear.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

The weapons you use will assist in your daily walk and the fight between the carnal and the spiritual nature

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Ephesians 6:14-18

If your daily walk was not a dangerous one to your soul, why would we be told to suit up with all these items?  Notice the items that help us in our daily activities:

truth (God’s word)

righteousness (given to us by faith in Jesus)

salvation (knowing God has saved us)

the gospel of peace (a kind nature towards other people)

But most of all, we are told to take the shield of faith.  Above all the items listed, the shield of faith is the most important.  If we have a shield, we can block the attack of swords, knives, and darts.  This faith is called trust in the one who was able to change our hearts in the first place.  Do you trust Him?  If you do, you have the shield that will repulse the attacker.

It is clear from God’s word that the enemy and our own carnal nature will bring upon us trouble to discourage us and entice us back to the life we once left.  Sorry to say, but there are many who are overcome by self and the enemy and lose their way.  Jesus told a parable that makes this clear.

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The Sower sowed seed.  The seed fell on different types of soil.  Some of the seed produced a crop, while others did not.  The disciples did not understand the parable and asked Jesus.  His explanation is not a parable, but the truth behind the story:

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Matthew  13: 18-23

Notice that the parable as explained by Jesus is talking about people who “hear the word.”  Some people hear it and don’t understand it because the wicked one snatches it away from them.

Other people hear it and are joyful (notice it doesn’t say that they understood it), but there is no root and therefore no endurance or strength.  This is the person whose experience is based on feeling and not on the truth.

The third person hears the word also does not understand it, but their cares and the lure of the world and its riches choke the word and they stop growing or producing.

But the last person both hears and understands.  They have roots that give endurance and the cares and riches do not choke them.  Their walk is one of faith in Jesus and understanding of His word.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:21

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Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin and the power of sin.  Salvation is not just being rescued from the wages of sin (eternal death), but it is a rescue from our sinful ways in this life.

It is not a one-time transaction in front of the church.  It is a walk of growing in Christ.  But this walk is not ours.  We are to entrust it to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, “Without Me, ye can do nothing.” Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness,–all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly,–by abiding in Him, –that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course but at every step of the way. David says,

“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Psalm 16:8.

Steps to Christ, p. 69

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Next time, we will discuss the third “P” of salvation.  Blessings to you as you walk with Jesus.

Salvation to the uttermost

A Lost Bible Teaching-Sanctification

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This will be a series on salvation to the uttermost. The concept of salvation is simple, but both dynamic and progressive. We will see that being saved to the uttermost is more than a trip down the aisle and being baptized. It moves on from there to include the complete rescue from sin. The 4 P’s of salvation will be explored. The person who receives Christ is saved from the PENALTY of sin. But sin will continue to pull and tempt us. Through a daily walking in the Spirit and not the flesh we are strengthened to overcome the POWER of sin in our lives. This can be a struggle because our carnal nature still exists. When the Lord comes again, He will rescue us from the, PRESENCE of sin. Then God will eliminate the father of sin (Satan) and change our bodies at the resurrection. Next, He takes us where He now. The Propensity to sin will be no more as we enjoy the new heaven and new earth. But, before we get into those topics, let’s look at the lost Bible teaching of Sanctification.

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Sanctification is a Bible Doctrine

Erroneous theories of sanctification… 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.

First of all, 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.

Secondly, 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 the truth.”

John 17:17

And Paul teaches 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.”

Psalm 119:42

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,”

Romans 7:12

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.

Thirdly, sanctification is progressive. 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;”

Hebrews 6:1

to grow up “unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:13

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.

Examples of Sanctification

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 then 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 42:6.0

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.

No Sanctification Without the Cross

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 Easy Religion

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 its 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 says 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.”

1 John 3:4

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 on 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.

Cannot Claim to be Without Sin

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.

*Great Controversy, p.469-473

In part 2, we will discuss how Bible sanctification as set forth in the Scriptures embraces the entire being—spirit, soul, and body.