DEAD TO SIN
That many who profess the blessing of
entire sanctification are greatly lacking in some of its essential elements is
painfully evident. They are not "blameless and harmless, the sons of God
without rebuke." They do not "shine as lights in the world." Not that one can
reach on earth such a state that those who are disposed to find fault with him
can not do it. This is impossible. Our Saviour was perpetually found fault
with by the most noted religionists of His day, and at last put to death by
them. But we may get where we have the constant approbation of God; -- where
we please Him in all that we do, and in all that we say. Our lives may be in
harmony with His word taken in its plain, evident meaning.
1. Some have not the courage to bear a faithful
testimony for God and His truth. They speak against sin in the general, but
they are careful not to attack, in a determined manner, popular sins. They
pass them over in a way not calculated to attract attention. Where it is
fashionable for professing Christians to dress like the world they have nothing
to say against it. If the preacher's salary is raised by renting the pews,
they let it pass in silence, though the Bible plainly forbids it. If men
prominent in the Church belong to secret, oath-bound societies they do not try
to convince them that this stands in the way of their salvation. In short,
they shun to declare the whole counsel of God. They tell many truths. But
they are not thorough. The work they do is superficial. If they are
themselves saved at last, it will be, as by fire.
2. Some evidently have not the love that is
essential to salvation. They abuse, in no stinted manner, those who do not
give them the endorsement they want. When things go contrary they behave very
much as men of the world do when they are downright mad; yet they insist upon
it that their bitter denunciations and personal invectives are prompted by
love. They seem to forget that "love worketh no ill to his neighbor." Towards
those who favor them, but give no other evidence of superior piety, they are
kind and complacent.
3. Others are self-willed. They seem
consecrated, but it appears to be to have their own way. They make it a point
of conscience to have every one come to their terms and submit to their
conditions. They are bold and courageous, in defense of their own opinions and
actions. They make the way to heaven so narrow that it seems almost impossible
for any one to travel in it. After getting those who oppose them out of the
church, if they can, they generally end with either joining the formal,
fashionable church which they have specially denounced; or they become a sect
in themselves.
The trouble in these and similar cases is, there
is an effort to get that sanctified to God, which is not capable of being
thoroughly and permanently sanctified -- the old nature. The Apostle says:
"Put off . . . the old man which is corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts." -- Eph. 4:22.
The modern interpretation is, "Sanctify him." So he makes an effort to get
sanctified, and professes that it is done. But he will not stay sanctified.
It is like putting a thin coating of silver on an iron spoon. A little wear
brings the base material to the surface. A few knocks, and the old nature is
apparent. The coating here and there comes off and he presents the appearance
of being sanctified in spots.
There is an experience which will enable us to
stand true to God, and true to our own convictions everywhere. Job had it.
Paul lived in this state till death. God's true saints have had it in all
ages. Paul tells us in his own experience how it is obtained.
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me." -- Gal.
2:20.
Crucifixion was a lingering death. It was not
sudden, like decapitation. The victim might linger in agony for days. So, one
does not die out to the world all at once. The struggle between the life of
self and death to self, the world, and sin may go on for a long time. But the
sooner it is ended the better. The sudden piercing of the spear, though it may
look cruel, is really an act of mercy. Anything that keeps the old nature
alive but protracts the misery and postpones the triumph. For after death
cometh the resurrection life.
Crucifixion was a death inflicted by others. The
victim was simply passive. Others nailed him to the cross -- others planted
the cross in its place. Many fail to go forward in their experience because
they lose sight of this truth. They do not accept the ill treatment that they
receive because of their fidelity to Christ, as a part of their necessary
discipline. They blame those who inflict it. Resentment takes the place of
submission. They give blow for blow. When reviled they pay it back as best
they can. If led to the slaughter they make desperate and successful efforts
to escape. They will not consent to be nailed to the cross. Their whole life
is a life of self. They may be very zealous, but it is the zeal of John and
not of Paul. They spare no pains to herald their devotion to Christ. "Come
and see my zeal for the Lord of hosts." They may be exceedingly plain and
outspoken, and uncompromising; but they are simply acting out their natural
disposition, modified and restrained somewhat by grace. It is a great
opportunity for growing in grace and becoming strong for God that we miss, when
we refuse to suffer patiently the wrongs inflicted upon us, it may be, by those
who ought to stand by us. Diamonds are found in beds of gravel. The worthless
clay becomes fitted for the walls of a palace by becoming molded into shape and
passing through the fire. The passionate, the proud, the self-willed, the
worldly, may be fitted for a heaven of purity by consenting to die unto sin and
unto the world. All they have to do is, to get and to keep the consent of
their wills; the cross will be duly prepared. Let them quietly submit, the
work will be done. More submission would make greater saints. We fail to get
a solid experience because we will not hold still and suffer the crucifixion to
go on and become completed. We do not reap the result desired because we will
not accept the process. Our claim to having faith in God is worthless, so long
as we refuse to have confidence in His mode of working. Faith in God is faith
in His providence as well as in His word. It believes in what He does, as well
as in what He says. Job saw the hand of God in making him poor, as well as in
making him rich.
"The Lord gave; and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the
name of the Lord." -- Job 1:21.
He blessed the Lord in his affliction, and the Lord blessed him out of his
affliction. His latter state was better than his
first.
The only way to life is through the valley of the
shadow of death. The worm weaves its shroud to get its wings. It dies to the
earth that it may live in the air. After the crucifixion of self comes the
resurrection to life. As the old nature dies we are transformed into the
divine nature. The change is real, and may be permanent. The whole being is
changed. The intellect is stronger and more active. Truth is comprehended and
retained more easily than before. The conscience is corrected, and invested
with sovereign authority over the entire man. Truth is loved and sought after
and embraced. There is a keen sensitiveness to right and wrong. The side of
right may have but few adherents, and they despised; but it can never be so
unpopular that it is not, when seen, espoused and defended.
The body appetites undergo a great
transformation. Those that are unnatural are removed. Those that are natural
and right within proper limits are subdued and brought into subjection to
reason and conscience. The reins of government have passed from the carnal to
the spiritual. He is still in the body, but not in the flesh. The flesh no
longer dominates and controls. A blessed harmony prevails throughout his
entire being. One thus saved is no longer at war with himself. The rebel is
dead. The "I" that made trouble is crucified. It no longer lives. Christ has
taken possession. He sits upon the throne of the affections. The words and
actions prompted by His Spirit are in harmony with His teachings,
"It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall
also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him
he also will deny us." -- II Tim. 2:11,12.