HOLINESS by John Angel James

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1859

HOLINESS.

By John Angel James

Selected for REVIEW.

HOLINESS is a very comprehensive word and expresses a state of mind and conduct that includes many things. It is the work of the Spirit in our sanctification; the fruit of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and the operation of the new nature which we receive in regeneration. Holiness may be viewed in various aspects, according to the different objects to which it relates. Toward God, it is supreme love; delight in his moral character; submission to his will; obedience to his commands; zeal for his cause; observance of his institutes and seeking his glory. Toward Christ, it is conformity to his example, and imbibing his spirit. Toward man it is charity, integrity, truth and mercy. Toward sin it is a hatred of all iniquity, a tender conscience easily wounded by little sins, and scrupulously avoiding them; together with a laborious self-denying progressive mortification of all the known corruptions of our heart, and diligent seeking for such as are unknown. Toward self it is the control of our fleshly appetites; the eradication of our pride; the mortification of our selfishness. Toward divine things in general, it is spirituality of mind or the habitual current of pious thoughts, and devout affections flowing through the soul. And toward the objects of the unseen world, it is heavenly mindedness, a turning away from things seen and temporal, to things unseen and eternal.

Oh, what a word is holiness! How much does it comprehend. How little is it understood, and how much less is it practised! Who can read the above description of it and not admit that we need much, very much more of it than we possess, and that we may well make it the subject-matter of our prayers. Let us study it as a whole, and in all its parts. How important is that view of it, which brings our conduct under the notice of man, and by whom, not only our own religion may be suspected, but all religion will be reviled, if they see any want of consistency between our actions and our profession; and how important also is that view of holiness, which considers our conduct in reference to God and Christ.

Is not this the design of all God's dispensations of grace and providence toward us? For what were we chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world? To be holy. Eph. i, 4, 5. What was Christ's purpose in dying for us upon the cross? Eph. v, 26, 27. Titus ii, 11-15. For what is the Spirit poured out from on high? To make us holy. Gal. v, 16-26. Eph. v, 22-32. John iii, 4-8. What is the nature of our calling? A holy one; "for we are called to holiness." 1 Thess. iv, 7. What is the design of the Bible? To make us holy. John xvii, 17. Why are we afflicted? To be made partakers of his holiness. Heb. xii, 14. What is heaven? The perfection of holiness. Eph. v, 27. 1 John iii, 3. Rev. xxi, 27; xxii, 11.

The chapters to this subject are Matt. v, vi, vii. Rom. vi, vii, viii, xii. Gal. v, vi. Eph. iv, v, vi. James ii, iii, 1 Pet. i, ii. 2 Pet. i, iii. 1 John i, ii, iii, v.—John Angel James.