A Commandment

Some would argue that, since man is a free moral agent who can choose his own destiny, entire sanctification is likewise an optional experience for the Christians. This is not the case. It is true that man is free to choose between right and wrong, for God does not force anybody to be saved. God established His law, and then gave man freedom to decide whether he wanted to obey it and go to heaven or disobey it and go to hell. Joshua told the people of Israel: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom we will serve" (Josh. 24:15). But it is also true that, according to man's decision, so will be the end of his life.

The fact that man must choose to be sanctified does not contradict the fact that sanctification is God's command to man. Therefore any person who does not surrender himself to God's will and let Him sanctify him wholly is disobeying God's law. Throughout the Old Testament, as well as throughout the New Testament, we find this commandment.

It is interesting to note that in the Old Testament we find doctrines so clearly expressed that even though the New Testament had never been written we would not be excused for not knowing them. One of them is holiness. "The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Gen. 17:1). "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev. 19:1-2).

By these scriptures alone we clearly see that God not only asks, but that He commands, that His people be holy and perfect before Him.

Some people say that these passages do not mean very much because they are taken from the Old Testament. Since we now live under the dispensation of grace, we should accept only what we find in the New Testament. But this is no escape, for the New Testament is filled with references to God's command to be holy.

Let us go directly to the New Testament. Here we find Christ's words: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). Paul says it is God's will that we be sanctified: "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (I Thess. 4:3). And Peter adds: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (I Pet. 1:15-16). Finally, the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews says that without holiness "no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).

God's call unto holiness implies the necessity of obedience to Him. Peter admonishes, "As obedient children . . . be ye holy" (I Pet. 1:14-15). God encourages us to seek sanctification and at the same time it is a command. It is somewhat of a paradox that God's invitation should, at the same time, be God's command. Holiness appears to be an option while at the same time it is an imperative. Just as the sinner must be born again, so the believer must be sanctified wholly; otherwise he will be disobeying God's command. Paul says that "God hath not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit" (I Thess. 4: 7-8). According to this, it is impossible for a man to reject willfully God's directive and still be saved. We cannot possibly pray with all sincerity that God's will be done in our lives and then refuse to obey Him in seeking our sanctification, for the scripture clearly states: "This is the will of God, even your sanctification" (I Thess. 4:3). If we want to remain in God's grace we must obey Him fully and continually. John wrote: "He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (I John 2:17).

Now God would not require from us something for which He would not give the provision for accomplishment. A. M. Hills, referring to these commandments, says: "Is God a heartless tyrant issuing commands to a race of moral beings that none are able to keep? These commands are as authoritative as any in the Bible; and if holiness is not attainable, then God commands what is impossible. To affirm it is a wicked reflection on his holiness. Some one has observed that all God's commands are enablings. Whatever he commands he furnishes a gracious ability to perform."

Paul says: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves; . . . but our sufficiency is of God" (II Cor. 3:5). And John adds: "His commandments are not grievous" (I John 5:3).

God's design in redemption was that we "might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life" (Luke 1:74-75). Paul, after telling the Thessalonians that it was God's will that they be sanctified, then prays: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly," adding, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (I Thess. 5:23-24).