BIBLE HOLINESS

     There are various Bible terms used to express the same experience. (1) Sanctification. "This is the will of God even your sanctification." (2) Holiness. "Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." (3) Purity. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (4) Crucifixion. "Knowing this that our old man is crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed." (5) Baptism. "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (6) Perfect Love. "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment." "Perfect love casteth out fear." (7) Second Blessing. "In this confidence I was minded to come unto you before that ye might have a second benefit (grace)." (8) Filled. "Be filled with the Spirit. (9) Cleansing. "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin."

     These expressions mean one and the same thing, viz., Emptied of all sin and filled with nothing but God. Now, is it not too bad that we are so narrow and biased that we pick out but one favorite term and play upon that one string until it becomes monotonous? If I were confined to one and only one expression, I would much prefer Perfect Love, for "God is love" and the more we become like Him the more our love is increased and perfected.

     I do not know that any one man has ever been entrusted with all the nine gifts of the Spirit at the same time-- the last and least one being that of tongues. But I do know that every well saved man has all the nine graces (as recorded in Gal. 5:22,23), the first and greatest being that of love. I would rather have the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians in my heart and life than the fourteenth. And since Perfect Love is the Best, the Greatest, the most Enduring, and the most sadly lacking thing in the world, I am kept busy seeking more of it. Brother, have you graduated in this respect? Let us compare ourselves. Have you that Love that "suffereth long and is kind"? "Suffers all the meekness of the children of God, all the wickedness of the children of the world, and that not for a little time only, but as long as God pleases?" Some can suffer long but are not always kind. This love will at once inspire you "with the most amiable sweetness and the most fervent and tender affection toward the one that knowingly injures you," and amid it all you will feel and manifest a tender spirit in every look and tone of voice. Do you always do this?

     Love "envieth not." Do you ever feel a secret spirit of envy or prejudice shut up in your heart? A jealous feeling when another becomes noticed and appreciated more than you? An unpleasant sensation in view of the great prosperity and success of another? Have you ever felt secretly pleased when another more gifted than yourself made a failure? Do you ever find yourself dwelling upon such a one's faults rather than his virtues? Do not mistake these for temptations. They look like the traits of carnality.

     Love "vaunteth not itself." "Acteth not rashly in a violent, headstrong manner, nor passes any rash or severe Judgment" on the most guilty person. Its possessor is not harsh or pressing in his manner. When contradicted or put in a wrong light, he bears it with meekness rather than use many words to excuse, or clear himself. He is slow to speak, slow to accuse, easily convinced when in fault, and quick to ask forgiveness. How is it with you?

     Love "Is not puffed up." Do you ever feel exalted and important because of your success or position? A desire at times to have others notice, or speak well of you? On the other hand, do you feel hurt when set aside and unnoticed? Do you love to speak of your special free times in preaching or praying and thus draw attention to self? Do you feel humbled, or lifted up when praised and preferred above others? in short, are you dead to self? "So dead that no desires arise to appear good or great or wise, in any but your Savior's eyes?"

     Love "doth not behave itself unseemly." If you have this love you are careful to avoid all such behavior that you think might grieve, or be a source of temptation to another. You will be especially careful toward those of the opposite sex. You will leave every home as pure as you found it. Your only object will be to seek their good. Do you always do this? Love "seeketh not her own." This love will do away with selfishness of all kinds. In eating, sleeping, riding, etc., whether at home or abroad, its possessor continually practices self-denial, doing to others as he would be done by. He seeks to promote the interests and happiness of others as sincerely as his own, and often at the expense of his own, though it may not be appreciated or returned. This is your experience if you have perfect love.

     Love "Is not provoked." When under pressure or in a hurry do you feel impatience stir at the ignorance, slowness, or stubbornness of others? Do not excuse it as nervousness, temptation, or holy indignation. Do you murmur or complain in the midst of pain or poverty? Are you touchy and sensitive, especially when something contemptuous is said or done against your church, relatives, or nationality? These look very much like traits of carnality and, if so, must be cast out before love can reign without a rival.

     Love "thinketh no evil." This will do away with all uncharitable suspicions. Do you ever find yourself surmising or mistrusting that another has done wrong when you do not positively know it to be so? The ancient heathen's rule was, "I am so far from lightly believing what one man says against another that I will not easily believe what a man says against himself. I will always allow him second thoughts and many times counsel, too." Do you live up to this?

     Love "rejoiceth not in iniquity." If you possess this love you never have a feeling of satisfaction in hearing or speaking (though in a truthful and warning manner) of the inconsistencies of others. You do not only weep over the sins and follies of an enemy, take no pleasure in repeating or hearing his faults mentioned, but you desire that they should be forgotten forever.

     "Rejoiceth in the truth." Is not sectarian or bigoted, but rejoices just as much over the salvation of souls in the midst of others as if it were in your own ranks. "Rejoices to find that even those who oppose you, whether with regard to opinions, or some points of practice, are (in some cases) lovers of God, and in other respects unreprovable." "Beareth all things." Covers a multitude of sins, mistakes, imperfections and weaknesses of another; speaks evil of no man.

     "Believeth all things." Always willing to think the best, to put the most favorable construction on everything that may tend to the advantage of another's character.

     "Hopeth all things." On being informed of the faults or failures of another, perfect love "hopeth" it is not so bad after all.

     "Endureth all things." Endures with "unwearied patience anything that God can permit, or men and devils inflict."

     Dear reader, do you possess this love? Nothing short of it will enable you to penetrate through the awful pride, lust, and unbelief of this twentieth century. Eloquence will utterly fail, but this melting, all-conquering love "never faileth."