p. 13 | TRUE HOLINESS by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Sep 26, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 37.

TRUE HOLINESS.

By G.

HOLINESS is one of the principles of truth, one of the Scripture's doctrines, that is often perverted into a mere profession. The Church Herald is a holiness journal, as good as any, if not the best that comes to our table, and here is what the editor has to say of "holiness movements:"

"While in Memphis, Tenn., I met a holiness brother preaching on the streets. He told me that to his knowledge there were about twenty-five different kinds of holiness people, or little movements, in that city, and that they were badly divided among themselves, one holding to one thing, another to something else, and so on. Whether the brother has overestimated from the standpoint of numbers or not, I am not prepared to say, but one thing is true, and that is there are many more holiness movements and different kinds of holiness people than there are colors in the rainbow. It is too bad, but nevertheless true, that not a few of them have an ax to grind and a man-made creed to introduce, etc., and hence rents, divisions, splits, isms, etc., are everywhere apparent."

But this does not argue that the Lord does not desire His people to attain to a condition of "righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:24.

If we would make sure of realizing the precious promises of God's Word, we must "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord." 2 Cor. 7:1. And David tells us how this process is continued, saying, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." Ps. 119:1.

True, we can get into that way only by regeneration through Christ. We are "justified by faith" in Him, and even then "the just shall walk by faith." But "he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked" (1 John 2:6); and He kept His Father's commandments. He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it. Matt. 5:17, 18. Moreover, the Father gave His Son to do what the law could not do—that is, forgive our past offenses; and then, by the regeneration and guidance of His Spirit, so walk "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

By this means of grace we may be without condemnation—accounted as holy in the judgment of God. Rom. 8:1-4. This is the only kind of holiness that will stand the final test; for the Spirit says, "Like as He which called you is holy, be ye your selves also holy in all manner of living." 1 Peter 1:15. G.