SANCTIFICATION THE QUALIFICATION FOR HEAVEN

Holiness is the qualification to see God, or to dwell in heaven. St. Paul says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Heb. xii. 14. In the revised version this reads, "Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification," etc. Holiness and sanctification mean the same thing. Entire sanctification makes us holy Hear the word of God, "And 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 Thess. v. 23. Those who are "blameless" are without sin; those who are without sin are holy; and those who are holy are sanctified? Those who are sanctified throughout spirit, soul and body, are holy; those who are holy are without sin; and those who are without sin are blameless. This logic will stand criticism. There is one subject which cannot be overthrown by criticism. It is this: Holiness is the qualification for admission into heaven. But when, and how, can this qualification be obtained? When men begin to theorize on the subject they differ. Every doctrine of the Bible, when understood and believed, brings to us a present personal experience. We are co-workers with God in our own salvation. Paul says, "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." Phil. ii. 12, 13. Salvation, from its incipiency to its completion is an experience. The sinner, under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, has an experience, not only of his sins, but of conviction for sin;, and with this experience he prays, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke xviii. 13.

The penitent sinner has an experience as he comes into a justified state, not only of the grace of God enabling him to believe, but also that he does believe, and believing, he is justified. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. v. 1. The convert has an experience, not only of the converting grace of God, but of the direct witness of the Spirit that he is born of God;- for it is written, "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father." Gal. iv. 6.

The child of God also has an experience, when under conviction for a clean heart; he feels that there is something lacking or wrong; and he feels a hungering and thirsting after righteousness as he reads, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matt. v. 6. God never did create a desire without having something with which to satisfy it. The sanctified have the experience that they are cleansed from all sin; and they have the direct witness of the Holy Spirit testifying to it; For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness unto us." Heb. x. 14, 15.

Jesus gives us a sure rule by which we may test all these great doctrines. He says, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." John vii. 17.

There are five different theories on sanctification. We will examine each one separately, then give the Bible view. Only one way can be right, and the Bible is the standard by which to judge.