KINDS OF HOLINESS
The Scriptures teach that there are two
kinds of holiness, -- true and false. (Eph. 4:24.)
True holiness, wherever found, is essentially the
same. In matters not essential there may be a wide difference, but in the
essentials there is agreement. An English sovereign [coin] and an American
eagle [coin] were not cast in the same mold and have different inscriptions,
but the metal of which they are composed is the same. One could be easily
converted into the other. Whatever form gold is made to assume it retains its
qualities. So, true holiness has, among all people, and in all ages, the same
characteristics.
It is the work of the Holy Spirit. No education
however Scriptural, no training however religious, can produce it. He who is
truly holy is sanctified by the Holy Ghost. He has ceased from his own works.
As God works in him he works out his own salvation. Hence, since true holiness
has nothing in it of human merit, it is always found in connection with deep
humility. There is nothing of self in it, and it does not seek
self-glorification in any form.
This humility is manifested in every manner. Its
possessor dresses plain. Nothing is worn for show or ornament. It cannot be
told from the appearance of a soldier in the ranks whether he is rich or poor,
so the dress of a saint does not indicate his temporal condition. He is
unassuming, not claiming superiority over others.
Another element of true holiness is an
all-absorbing love for God and man. God is loved, adored, obeyed. Man is
loved as the image of God, the representative of Christ, and however fallen he
may be, he is pitied, instructed, helped and elevated.
True holiness is obtained through faith in God,
and it is never separated from an unwavering trust in Him. The car separated
from the locomotive on an up-hill grade soon loses its motion in the right
direction, and begins to run down hill; the soul which lets go its hold of God
by unbelief, loses holiness, falls into sin, either of the heart, or life, or
both, and takes the downward track to perdition.
False holiness may be classed under several
heads. There is an aristocratic, self-indulgent holiness. It gives its
influence to build up fine, costly houses of worship, with popular preachers,
choir singing, select congregations from which the poor are excluded as regular
attendants, by selling or renting the seats. It puts on airs, dresses
sufficiently in style to make the impression that it does not belong to the
common people. It seeks the society of the upper classes, and endeavors to
explain away the requirements of the Gospel to suit their tastes. It goes as
far in self-indulgence as public sentiment will permit. Tertullian, about the
year A. D. 207, in cutting irony, refers to this class of holiness professors
"Who, among you, is superior in holiness, except him who is more frequent in
banqueting, most sumptuous in catering, more learned in cups? Men of soul and
flesh alone as you are, justly do you reject things spiritual." This kind of
holiness is not generally persecuted by the world. If it is, it is ready to
apologize, and to put on a less offensive form.
There is a fanatical holiness. It lays the
greatest stress upon that for which it has the least reason and Scripture for
its support. Its self-denial is great, and is only equaled by its self-will.
It has in it an element of sincerity, but it is vitiated by being consecrated
to its own will, rather than to the will of God. It lacks the great quality of
submission. It does not know how to yield, even in matters the smallest and
most indifferent. It must have its own way in every thing. Every one must
submit to its dictation or receive its fiery denunciation.
There is a covetous holiness. It wears cheap
clothing, but it is to avoid expense. It has sharp criticisms for every
project that calls for an expenditure of money; but it is because it is
unwilling to bear its part. It may have little, or it may have much, but what
it has it holds on to with a miser's grasp. Frequently it opposes all church
organizations, really because it wishes for some excuse for refusing to support
them. It is mighty at tearing down -- it never tries its hand at building up.
It may burn palaces -- it cannot rear a hovel.
See to it then that you have true holiness. Let
your consecration be to God. Give yourself up for a habitation of the Holy
Spirit. Let Him lead you into all truth. Let the Ten Commandments and the
Sermon on the Mount be as much to you as "the exceeding great and precious
promises." Let them dove-tail together in your experience.
Take pains to be clothed with humility It is not
enough not to feel proud, you should not look proud. Be of an humble spirit,
then every thing about you will show forth that spirit.
Whatever you lack, do not lack that
sanctification
"without which no man shall see the Lord." -- Heb.
12:14.
If you are without it be in haste to obtain it.
There is no time to be lost. Eternity is at hand. The great preparation for
it is true holiness. It must be obtained here. The death-bed may be too late.
Consecrate yourselves fully to God. Obey the leadings of the Spirit. Make
every confession He prompts you to make. Take any position He directs you to
take. Trust fully in Christ. Rely on Him. Believe His every promise, but,
above all, believe in Him.