Sanctification and Entire Consecration
By B. F. Robbins
BRO. SMITH: I am pleased with the suggestion in the Review to write from experience upon the subject of sanctification. It is a subject that for months past has deeply interested me, from the consideration that holiness is indispensable as a preparation for the coming of our blessed Master, holiness, without which "no man shall see the Lord." I read the article from Bro. J. Clarke in the last Review upon this subject with much interest, and admire his spirit of sincerity, of confidence and trust in the promise of God; for truly "all the promises of God in him are yea and amen to the glory of God by us." 2 Cor. i, 20. But I think my brother is a little in the dark on this important subject, and comparing views may help us both; for with him I have longing desires to attain to holiness and perfect charity and purity of heart and life. And I think the provisions of the gospel are adapted to secure to us both, and to all believers, entire sanctification. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption." 1 Cor. i, 30. Here is the provision to meet our wants and desires. "But my brother admits a failure to attain from a lack of entire consecration as an impediment in his way." As a matter of course a non-compliance with the terms of the covenant will hinder our reception of the blessing; so also if we had not complied with the terms of the gospel by repentance towards God and faith in Jesus, and the consecration implied80in a compliance with these terms, we could not have been justified. But what are the terms of the covenant in order to our sanctification? 2 Cor. vi, 18. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. vi, 18. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Chap. vii, 1. Again, Rom. xii, 1. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Here are the terms requiring on our part an entire consecration, a holy, acceptable sacrifice, as our reasonable service. Anything short of this is unreasonable and unacceptable. The sacrifice is specific—ourselves, our all, a living sacrifice. The sacrifice must be brought to the altar and laid upon it. And if brought by us according to the terms of the covenant, and laid upon the altar as our reasonable service, is it a holy, acceptable sacrifice unto God? Yes, most certainly. Why? Because the altar sanctifies the gift. But have we an altar most holy whereon to lay our sacrifice, that it shall be holy, acceptable to God? Yes, Christ is the Christian's altar, and our sacrifice laid upon him is sanctified, holy. How obtained we justification? By faith in Jesus. "For we are justified by faith," and Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. We made a personal application to Jesus, by faith in his willingness and ability to pardon and justify us from all things from which we could not be justified by the law. How may we obtain sanctification? By faith in the cleansing power of his blood, to cleanse from all sin. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin." Do I believe this declaration of his word? Yes, most certainly. "For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot unto God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." Now if I by faith make a personal application to Jesus for the application of his all-cleansing blood, may I not believe that his blood will cleanse, will sanctify me? Why not? Is Christ my wisdom and righteousness, and is he not also my sanctification? Away unbelief! I will believe God, and I will bear witness of his truth and faithfulness before angels and men. But my brother, are conflicts and trials and even temptations an evidence that we are not holy? No, the holy Jesus was tempted in all things as we are. The apostle Paul was tried and tempted, and can we expect advancement in faith and purity without the trial of our faith? Why, no. The trial of our faith is more precious than of gold that perisheth, &c. But once more, my brother. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." What brings condemnation? Sin. If no condemnation, then what? Why, no sin. Now, dear brother, we will believe God, and venture all upon his faithfulness and truth. Amen. B. F. ROBBINS. Friendship, N. Y., July 2d.