THE WAY TO HOLINESS

In John 17:17 we are told that we are sanctified through the truth, and further we are told, "Thy word is truth." We understand, then, that the Master was describing the place of the Bible as the Word of God in its relation to the blessing of entire sanctification by means of which we are made holy. In Acts 26:18 we are said to be sanctified by faith. In Heb. 13:12 we are told that we are sanctified by the Blood. In Rom. 15:16, we are described as sanctified by the Holy Ghost. But we all know the Bible, the blood of Jesus, faith, and the Holy Spirit are not interchangeable words, and we know also that we cannot be allowed to choose alternate ways of being sanctified. We never expect to find one Christian sanctified by the Bible, another by the Blood, another by faith, and another by the Holy Ghost. It must be that whoever is sanctified at all must be sanctified by all the means mentioned. What then is the explanation?

The theologians tell us we are to be sanctified instrumentally by the Word of God, efficaciously by the blood of Jesus, conditionally by faith, and efficiently by the Holy Ghost. By this we understand that the Bible is our infallible Guide as to the manner we are to go about it to seek and find this blessing. The blood of Jesus is the meritorious price paid for its purchase. Faith is the one prime condition we must meet. And the Holy Spirit is the actual Agent for changing, purging, and filling our hearts. Only Spirit can change spirit, and that is why we cannot ascribe the efficient agency to anyone or anything except the Holy Spirit, who was very properly designated by Dr. Daniel Steele as "the Executor of God in the work of salvation."

In a matter so important as our state and standing with God we need a sure word. The opinions of men will not suffice. Creeds and statements wrought out in councils are valuable only when they are true interpretations of the divine Word. But God has given us an inspired and infallible Bible. Whosoever speaks contrary to this Word is to be rejected. The Bible is the Touchstone of all doctrine. It is the dependable revelation of the will of God and the way to God. If we get sanctified at all, we must do so according to the terms laid down in the Word. Bible holiness is the only true holiness.

There is no merit in works or words or tears or anything else we can bring. The blood of Jesus alone is the price of our redemption. When we come to be cleansed from all sin, we have no plea but the Blood. No matter how many years we have served God, we have done only that which it was our duty to do. No matter how much we have given of time or money for the advancement of His kingdom, we have given nothing that we did not first receive. The blood of Jesus alone has merit, and by it alone we have entrance into the holy of holies--the divine presence--where we find the cleansing we crave.

Faith has its prerequisites, as repentance in asking for pardon, consecration in asking for holiness, and obedience in praying for persevering grace. But faith remains the one and only prime condition. Faith is the one thing without which there is no deliverance, and when it is present there is always deliverance. Prerequisites lead to faith and faith leads to victory. Faith is not a force within itself, but is the means by which the power of God is released upon us. Faith salvation, like faith healing, is a purely human thing. Faith is just the condition. God is the Power.

The Holy Spirit is a Person, but He has different offices. The Holy Spirit comes in convicting office to the sinner. He comes in regenerating office to the penitent believer. He comes in sanctifying office to the consecrating, accepting believer. There is no reason for confusion regarding whether the Holy Spirit comes in regeneration or only in entire sanctification. He comes in both instances. But in the latter instance He comes in Pentecostal fullness and power. On the Day of Pentecost, He came in tongues of fire, as well as in the likeness of a rushing mighty wind. Fire is the emblem of purifying. There are many symbols of the Holy Spirit and His works in the Bible. In His life-giving power He is like the wind, as Jesus told Nicodemus in John three. In His regenerating office He is like water (Titus 3:5). In His feeding office He is like milk (Isaiah 55). In His purifying and energizing power He is like fire. The deeper purging represented by fire in contrast with the more outward cleansing effects of water is well known in the realm of natural things, and the Spirit uses this common knowledge to make clear the distinction between the work of regeneration--a washing --and entire sanctification--a purging with fire.

How fully then is the way to holiness set before us! We come as we are taught in the Bible. We bring the blood of Jesus as our merit. We exercise faith as the condition. The Holy Spirit answers to the Blood by coming as the vital Agency of our full purifying.

I once likened the four factors here considered to getting goods from a mail-order house. There is the catalogue that describes the goods, states the price, and gives directions for ordering. This is analogous to the place of the Bible in our sanctification. There is the money required, which is in the position of the Blood in our sanctification. There is the act of sending forth the order by mail --an act that passes beyond sight, and is analogous to faith. Then there are the goods actually delivered to the door by the postman, and this is like the coming of the Holy Spirit in Pentecostal fullness. Surely none of us should go farther without the blessing. The Word is true and dependable. The Blood has all merit. Faith has every ground. The Holy Spirit waits at the door. Today, even this hour, "wilt thou be made whole?"