SANCTIFICATION IS OBTAINED BY FAITH
No man can create by any energy or power of his own a “pure heart.” When David wanted that he looked up. No man can evolve out of himself as beautiful and heavenly and blessed a thing as holiness. If he could do so, he would perform a greater work than Christ. It is granted by all that Christ pardons. But if a man can, by certain duties and religious performances, produce holiness of heart, he has outstripped Christ, for a holy man must certainly take rank over a simply pardoned man, both on earth and in heaven. This being so, you would be entitled to greater praise and honor in heaven than the Son of God. The song you would sing about the throne would be: “He pardoned me, but I made myself holy. Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom and righteousness, but I am made unto myself sanctification.” See to what an absurdity of conclusion we are brought by starting out with the idea that holiness is obtained by the works of the law. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?” “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
The writer has just been informed of a still more flagrant error. It was advanced from the pulpit by one of the leading ministers in our Church. He said that holiness was obtained by meditation! The verse he quoted to prove his statement was Proverbs xxiii. 7: “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Let the reader turn to the verse and read it in its connection, and then stand amazed at such an exposition and application of Scripture. The brother’s idea is not far from the East India conception of holiness. The pagan devotee sits down, crosses his feet, fixes his eyes upon them until they get crossed, falls into a brown study, and waits for holiness. Certainly that man knows nothing of the Bible and nothing of the truly religious life if he has not discovered that all spiritual blessings come by pure faith. It is through faith we are converted. It is through faith we have received ten thousand pardons and consolations and deliverances since that day. And it is through faith we come into the blessing and enjoyment of sanctification.
In proof we quote only three passages from the word of God. The first is Galatians iii. 2, 3, 11, and 14: “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” “For the just shall live by faith.” “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” The whole passage is overwhelming. But I call attention mainly to the last line. What is this promise of the Spirit that was to be had through faith but the blessing of sanctification which Christ told his disciples to tarry for at Jerusalem? “Wait,” he said, “for the promise of the Father.” The second chapter of Acts tells us that they obtained it; and it came through faith. Take another passage–this time in Acts xv. 8, 9: “And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Now mark you, these italicized words were spoken of believers. This purification was a work subsequent to regeneration. It is identified with the blessing of Pentecost, and it was obtained by faith! One more, and we conclude this point. Acts xxvi. 17-18: “Unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
Reader, do you realize that this is Christ speaking to Paul; that it is Christ who presents here two classes in the spiritual life, the forgiven and the sanctified, and that he divides them clearly, not only by terms, but by the word “and,” which we have italicized. And do you notice that he says that this second class had been sanctified by faith in him? This verse, to my mind, is unanswerable.
If, as I have shown by God’s word, the blessing of a holy heart can be secured instantaneously, and is to be obtained through faith, why not have the pearl of great price right now? Why not believe and be filled now with all “the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ?”
Tag: one man awake
My God is Holy, is yours?
If you believe in and follow an unholy God, you do not have to be concerned about being holy in your conduct.
“I sin daily in thought, word, and deed?” …Hmm… you might want to re-examine that because the God of the Holy Bible commands that His people be holy
Romans 6:19-22
“I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
- In the Old Testament, things were sanctified. • The Tabernacle was sanctified (Exodus 40:9). “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy.”
- The mountains were sanctified (Exodus 19:23). “Moses said to the LORD, ‘The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, “Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.”’”
- The nation of Israel was sanctified (Exodus 19:10-11). “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.’”
- First born children were sanctified (Exodus 13:2). “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal.”
- In the New Testament people were sanctified (Acts 2:1-4). 16
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
“If Jesus Christ is not Lord of all, He will not be Lord at all.” —R. S. Nicholson
Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
–Pastor Ward Clinton
Return to the Spirit-filled Life
Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3-7 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partners with them.
-in slightly plainer english-
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.”
–Pastor Ward Clinton
TAGALOG – Talking About God And Living Out Grace
Every Christian is, in all actuality, a theologian. Imagine how blessed our world could be if every Christian were a good theologian in the distinctly Christian sense.
There is very much a need for “the Church” to again proclaim and live the message of Christian holiness. Collectively, it have been, for quite some time now, living far below the standard that it has been called to. The people of God must once again become “salt and light” especially in this hour of spiritual darkness. Our lives must become “reruns” of the life of The Christ, that is, lives fully surrendered to the Father’s will, cleansed and filled by His Holy Spirit. Christ-like men and women are very urgently needed at this time, in this hour.
God has always intended for His people to be a holy people. The Holy Bible is pretty clear about that. God has designed a plan whereby the heart of His people can be cleansed from all sin. Some can’t see that because they don’t want to see that fact.
1st Thessalonians 4:7 “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
God did not call us to imitate a sinful man but to be like, to imitate, the Holy One of God, Jesus The Christ.
1st Corinthians 3:3 “You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?” We are called to be imitators of Jesus, the holy one of God, and not like mere sinful men trying to make excuses for being sinful rather than living better lives than that. We are called to have a better understanding of God and an acceptable walk. 1st Peter 1:13-16
“Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your pope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be ye holy in all that you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'”
Christians are supposed to stay clean while living in an unclean world; Jesus did not compromise with the world, He remained holy and sin-free and we are to follow his example — not the devil’s.
1st Thessalonians 5:23-24 And may the God of peace Himself fully sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is the One calling you, who also will perform it.
Walk in the paths of holiness of heart and life, the world secretly longs for us Christ followers to do that. Sure they may give us grief for it, but if we do not falter, some of them will join us in that walk, the only walk that is acceptable to the one true God, the God of Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Then, when we Talk About God And Love Others Graciously – they will see something special and understand.
–Pastor Ward Clinton
March is National…
–Pastor Ward Clinton
Talking About God …continued
Good Theology requires a good perspective.
Three people were visiting and viewing the Grand Canyon – an artist, a pastor, and a cowboy. As they stood at the edge of that massive abyss, each one offered his personal perspective. The artist said, “Ah, what a beautiful scene to paint.” The minister said, “What a wonderful example of the handiwork of God.” The cowboy mused, “What a terrible place to lose a cow.”
If every Christian were a better theologian the world, instead of sitting on the verge of collapse into chaos, would be a far better place than it is currently.
True theology points to God. In the summer of 2015, LifeWay Research conducted a survey which revealed that 45% of Americans claim there are many ways to Heaven. Only 30% of Americans actually have Evangelical beliefs and of them only 70% believe Jesus is the only way of salvation. The good news is that it does appear that those who believe Jesus is the only way also believe that they have a responsibility to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus as their Savior.
Distinctly Christian theology, which the apostle Paul refers to as “sound doctrine” in 2nd Timothy 4:3 is founded upon the belief that God has revealed Himself to us in His Word, The Holy Bible. Of course good theology is also focused on Messiah, the holy one of God, The Christ. We read in the Gospel according to John in 5:39 that Jesus declared the Scripture testifies about Him.
Unfortunately, a large portion of Americans are getting their “theology” from Hollywood, television, and other unchristian, even antichristian sources instead of the Holy Bible. Yes, even Christians have to be careful to avoid getting their theology warped by the wrong sources.
It is by knowing God that we come to love Him, and by loving Him that we come to know Him who first loved us.
Theology is undertaken so that our hearts might respond to God and that our lives might be conformed to His will, not the will of some mere ‘prophet.’ Loving God and loving people are made possible by a correct theological vision of God and the Christian life.
True theology, a correct speaking of the things of God, fuels our devotion to God, the God of Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and our passion for sharing the gospel of the holy one of God, Jesus The Christ.
Every Christian is, in all actuality, a theologian. Imagine how blessed our world could be if every Christian were a good theologian in the distinctly Christian sense of the term.
–Pastor Ward Clinton
Talking About God
I’m a theologian.
Now I don’t know what thoughts just came into your head when you read that. What I know is that I tend to have a slightly erroneous picture formulate in my own head. (But i’m getting better)
Many of us Christians tend to think of theology as an abstract academic discipline with little bearing on day-to-day Christian life and activity. Therefore one of the first things we ought to do is to understand what theology is. Theos (God) logos (word); it means a word about God.
There is Christian theology, Muslim theology and atheist theology as well as a few others. …Atheist theology? …Oh yes, some atheists absolutely obsess on the God whom they vehemently deny exists and then they go to great effort, expending lots of energy and time, to try to get rid of the God they claim to not believe in…is that weird or what?
It is no wonder, then, that God calls them what He does.
Muslim theology is based on the Koran while Christian theology is talking and thinking about God in a distinct way based upon the Holy Bible which, even the Koran acknowledges, is the uncorrupted holy book of God. Sadly, for the followers of Mohammad, most of them don’t seem to be aware of that fact. That is understandable because of all the confusing contradictions contained in each of the various versions of the Koran.
Every Christian, by definition, knows God, thinks about God, and makes statements about God. Therefore every Christian is a theologian; some are better at it than others but every child of God is supposed to be a good theologian and that is accomplished by studying and knowing what is actually in the Holy Bible and what is not. Some, if they are asked to open their Bible to something like 2nd Hezekiah 3:16 will search and search while others will quietly smile. It is an indicator of the level of theological understanding, not the best indicator, but it is one.
I am an above average theologian but every Christian should be at least at my current level. I did not get to my current level of theological comprehension without lots of study and help from fellow Christians; however I am far from where I really should be.
If every Christian were a better theologian the world would be a far better place than it currently is.
…to be continued…
–Pastor Ward Clinton
The Will of God
–Pastor Ward Clinton
Thomas LaBraunt
Stamp out individual thought? That sounds like every socialist dictator that ever wanted to take over the world. By the way, that always turns out bad, Tommy.
I don’t know who Thomas is or whether he is the actual author or someone who is angry with him posted that and attached his name. This showed up on Facebook and elsewhere. I went to his page where I found nothing of this nature. Thomas is definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer as evidenced by his page. However whoever wrote the piece attributed to Thomas is a racist bigot but that is something the democrats have long been known for.
Last I knew it is Americans who have constitutional rights, not a particular color. Without the 2nd you don’t have any of the other constitutional rights, anyway. The racist propaganda, especially that which comes from BHO and his fellow narcissistic propagandists, seeks to divide Americans and stifle rational thought.
Thomas, or whoever wrote the statement attributed to him, is part of the growing evidence that we are in a post-thinking era. In part, we can blame PC and the “intelligentsia.” We live in an age where we find scientists trying to create artificial intelligence while most of our educational institutions are creating artificial stupidity.
T. S. Ellott: “Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don’t mean to do harm-but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.”
The narcissistic personality disorder, race-baiting, divider-in-chief is symptomatic of the problem. We seem to have gotten so intimidated by political correctness that even our major media outlets, yes I am giving them the benefit of the doubt, dare not call people who illegally immigrate to this country “illegal immigrants: or even responsibly report on the fact that they are a financial drain on our system. Then there is the problem of fundamentalist Muslims, perhaps we should call them Mohammedans because that is who they are imitating, who, when they commit acts of terror, we are told not to call terrorists. Heaven forbid, that we should mention the unholy sacrament of the left …abortion… so I won’t.
Thomas, or whoever you are, the answer is – God.
It is time to stand up for the cause of The Christ and do our part in bringing about a brand new Great Awakening like the one that took place in the 1740s. We are way overdue for one and if we don’t have one it is going to get really, really bad. Therefore, 2nd Chronicles 7:14
–Pastor Ward Clinton
Obama Dissing Scalia
Dissing: Disrespecting, insulting.
To be honest, I’m glad he’s not going. He’s not worthy to be attending Justice Scalia’s funeral, who was a man of high moral fiber. This POTUS is so arrogant, narcissistic, and disrespectful that his presence would be fake anyway. I can see him now, putting on his liar face and pretending like he cares. No thanks. Good riddance, go play golf!
pastorwardclinton 