Chapter 27 : Modern Revivals


Wherever the Word of God has been faithfully preached, results
have followed that attested its divine origin. The Spirit of God
accompanied the message of his servants, and the word was with
power. Sinners felt their consciences quickened. The “light which
lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” illumined the secret
chambers of their souls, and the hidden things of darkness were
made manifest. Deep conviction took hold upon their minds and
hearts. They were convinced of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment to come. They had a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah,
and felt the terror of appearing, in their guilt and uncleanness, before
the Searcher of hearts. In anguish they cried out, “Who shall deliver
me from the body of this death?” As the cross of Calvary, with
its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was revealed, they saw
that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone for their
transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith
and humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the
sin of the world. Through the blood of Jesus they had “remission of
sins that are past.”
These souls brought forth fruit meet for repentance. They believed
and were baptized, and rose to walk in newness of life,—new
creatures in Christ Jesus. Not to fashion themselves according to
the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God to follow in his
steps, to reflect his character, and to purify themselves even as he
is pure. The things they once hated, they now loved; and the things
they once loved, they hated. The proud and self-assertive became
meek and lowly of heart. The vain and supercilious became serious [462]
and unobtrusive. The profane became reverent, the drunken sober,
and the profligate pure. The vain fashions of the world were laid
aside. Christians sought not the “outward adorning of plaiting the
hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but the
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of
great price.” [1 Peter 3:3, 4.]


Revivals brought deep heart-searching and humility. They were
characterized by solemn, earnest appeals to the sinner, by yearning
compassion for the purchase of the blood of Christ. Men and women
prayed and wrestled with God for the salvation of souls. The fruits
of such revivals were seen in souls who shrank not at self-denial
and sacrifice, but rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer
reproach and trial for the sake of Christ. Men beheld a transformation
in the lives of those who had professed the name of Jesus. The
community was benefited by their influence. They gathered with
Christ, and sowed to the Spirit, to reap life everlasting.
It could be said of them: “Ye sorrowed to repentance.” “For godly
sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the
sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this self-same thing,
that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in
you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea,
what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what
revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in
this matter.” [2 Corinthians 7:9-11.]
This is the result of the work of the Spirit of God. There is no
evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation. If he
restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, confess his sins,
and love God and his fellow-men, the sinner may be sure that he has
[463] found peace with God. Such were the effects that in former years
followed seasons of religious awakening. Judged by their fruits, they
were known to be blessed of God in the salvation of men and the
uplifting of humanity.
But many of the revivals of modern times have presented a
marked contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in
earlier days followed the labors of God’s servants. It is true that a
widespread interest is kindled, many profess conversion, and there
are large accessions to the churches; nevertheless the results are not
such as to warrant the belief that there has been a corresponding
increase of real spiritual life. The light which flames up for a time
soon dies out, leaving the darkness more dense than before.
Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination,
by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new

and startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible
truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless
a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has
no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned
reason, awakens no response. The plain warnings of God’s Word,
relating directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded.
With every truly converted soul the relation to God and to eternal
things will be the great topic of life. But where, in the popular
churches of today, is the spirit of consecration to God? The converts
do not renounce their pride, and love of the world. They are no more
willing to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and
lowly Jesus, than before their conversion. Religion has become the
sport of infidels and skeptics because so many who bear its name
are ignorant of its principles. The power of godliness has well-nigh
departed from many of the churches. Picnics, church theatricals,
church fairs, fine houses, personal display, have banished thoughts
of God. Lands and goods and worldly occupations engross the mind,
and things of eternal interest receive hardly a passing notice.

Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, [464]
there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final
visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth, there will be, among
the people of the Lord, such a revival of primitive godliness as has
not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of
God will be poured out upon his children. At that time many will
separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this
world has supplanted love for God and his Word. Many, both of
ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which
God has caused to be proclaimed at this time, to prepare a people
for the Lord’s second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder
this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he
will endeavor to prevent it, by introducing a counterfeit. In those
churches which he can bring under his deceptive power, he will
make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will
be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes
will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work
is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to
extend his influence over the Christian world.


In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half
century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less
degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the
future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with
the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived.
In the light of God’sWord it is not difficult to determine the nature of
these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible,
turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require
self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure
that God’s blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which Christ
himself has given, “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” [Matthew
7:16.] it is evident that these movements are not the work of the
Spirit of God.
[465] In the truths of his Word, God has given to men a revelation of
himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the
deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened
the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the
religious world. The nature and the importance of the law of God
have been, to a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the
character, the perpetuity, and obligation of the divine law has led to
errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted
in lowering the standard of piety in the church. Here is to be found
the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals
of our time.
There are, in the various denominations, men eminent for their
piety, by whom this fact is acknowledged and deplored. Prof. Edward
Park, in setting forth the current religious perils, ably says:
“One source of danger is the neglect of the pulpit to enforce the
divine law. In former days the pulpit was an echo of the voice
of conscience... Our most illustrious preachers gave a wonderful
majesty to their discourses by following the example of the Master,
and giving prominence to the law, its precepts, and its threatenings.
They repeated the two great maxims, that the law is a transcript of
the divine perfections, and that a man who does not love the law
does not love the gospel; for the law, as well as the gospel, is a
mirror reflecting the true character of God. This peril leads to another,
that of underrating the evil of sin, the extent of it, the demerit
of it. In proportion to the rightfulness of the commandment is the
wrongfulness of disobeying it.” 

“Affiliated to the dangers already named is the danger of underestimating
the justice of God. The tendency of the modern pulpit is
to strain out the divine justice from the divine benevolence, to sink
benevolence into a sentiment rather than exalt it into a principle. The
new theological prism puts asunder what God has joined together. Is
the divine law a good or an evil? It is a good. Then justice is good; [466]
for it is a disposition to execute the law. From the habit of underrating
the divine law and justice, the extent and demerit of human
disobedience, men easily slide into the habit of underestimating the
grace which has provided an atonement for sin.” Thus the gospel
loses its value and importance in the minds of men, and soon they
are ready to practically cast aside the Bible itself.
Many religious teachers assert that Christ by his death abolished
the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There
are some who represent it as a grievous yoke, and in contrast to the
bondage of the law, they present the liberty to be enjoyed under the
gospel.

But not so did prophets and apostles regard the holy law of
God. Said David, “I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts.”
[Psalm 119:45.] The apostle James, who wrote after the death of
Christ, refers to the decalogue as the “royal law,” and the “perfect
law of liberty.” [James 2:8; 1:25.] And the Revelator, half a century
after the crucifixion, pronounces a blessing upon them “that do his
commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may
enter in through the gates into the city.” [Revelation 22:14.]
The claim that Christ by his death abolished his Father’s law, is
without foundation. Had it been possible for the law to be changed
or set aside, then Christ need not have died to save man from the
penalty of sin. The death of Christ, so far from abolishing the law,
proves that it is immutable. The Son of God came to “magnify the
law, and make it honorable.” [Isaiah 42:21.] He said, “Think not that
I am come to destroy the law;” “till heaven and earth pass, one jot
or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law.” [Matthew 5:17, 18.]
And concerning himself he declares, “I delight to do thy will, O my
God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” [Psalm 40:8.]

The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a
revelation of the will and the character of its Author. God is love,
and [467] his law is love. Its two great principles are love to God and man.
“Love is the fulfilling of the law.” [Romans 13:10.] The character of
God is righteousness and truth; such is the nature of his law. Says
the psalmist, “Thy law is the truth;” “all thy commandments are
righteousness.” [Psalm 119:142, 172.] And the apostle Paul declares,
“The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
[Romans 7:12.] Such a law, being an expression of the mind and
will of God, must be as enduring as its Author.
It is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men
to God, by bringing them into accord with the principles of his law.
In the beginning, man was created in the image of God. He was in
perfect harmony with the nature and the law of God; the principles
of righteousness were written upon his heart. But sin alienated him
from his Maker. He no longer reflected the divine image. His heart
was at war with the principles of God’s law. “The carnal mind is
enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be.” [Romans 8:7.] But “God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son,” that man might be reconciled to God.
Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his
Maker. His heart must be renewed by divine grace, he must have a
new life from above. This change is the new birth, without which,
says Jesus, “he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The first step in reconciliation to God, is the conviction of sin.
“Sin is the transgression of the law.” “By the law is the knowledge of
sin.” [1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20.] In order to see his guilt, the sinner
must test his character by God’s great standard of righteousness. It
is a mirror which shows the perfection of a righteous character, and
enables him to discern the defects in his own.
The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. While
it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion
of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the
[468] condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance
toward God, whose law has been transgressed, and faith in Christ,
his atoning sacrifice. Thus he obtains “remission of sins that are
past,” and becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is a child

of God, having received the spirit of adoption, whereby he cries,
“Abba, Father!”

Is he now free to transgress God’s law? Says Paul: “Do we then
make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the
law.” “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
And John declares, “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments;
and his commandments are not grievous.” [Romans
3:31; 6:2; 1 John 5:3.] In the new birth the heart is brought into
harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with his law. When
this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed
from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and
rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation from
God has ended; the new life of reconciliation, of faith and love, has
begun. Then “the righteousness of the law” will “be fulfilled in us,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” [Romans 8:4.] And
the language of the soul will be, “O how love I thy law! it is my
meditation all the day.” [Psalm 119:97.]
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” [Psalm
19:7.]Without the law, men have no just conception of the purity and
holiness of God, or of their own guilt and uncleanness. They have
no true conviction of sin, and feel no need of repentance. Not seeing
their lost condition as violators of God’s law, they do not realize
their need of the atoning blood of Christ. The hope of salvation is
accepted without a radical change of heart or reformation of life.
Thus superficial conversions abound, and multitudes are joined to
the church who have never been united to Christ.
Erroneous theories of sanctification, also, springing from neglect
or rejection of the divine law, have a prominent place in the religious [469]
movements of the day. These theories are both false in doctrine,
and dangerous in practical results; and the fact that they are so
generally finding favor renders it doubly essential that all have a
clear understanding of what the Scriptures teach upon this point.
True sanctification is a Bible doctrine. The apostle Paul, in
his letter to the Thessalonian church, declares, “This is the will of
God, even your sanctification.” And he prays, “The very God of
peace sanctify you wholly.” [1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23.] The Bible
clearly teaches what sanctification is, and how it is to be attained.
The Saviour prayed for his disciples, “Sanctify them through thy

truth; thy Word is truth.” [John 17:17, 19.] And Paul teaches that
believers are to be “sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” [Romans 15:16.]
What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Jesus told his disciples, “When
he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”
[John 16:13.] And the psalmist says, “Thy law is the truth.” By the
Word and the Spirit of God are opened to men the great principles
of righteousness embodied in his law. And since the law of God is
“holy, and just, and good,” a transcript of the divine perfection, it
follows that a character formed by obedience to that law will be holy.
Christ is a perfect example of such a character. He says, “I have kept
my Father’s commandments.” “I do always those things that please
him.” [John 15:10; 8:29.] The followers of Christ are to become like
him,—by the grace of God, to form characters in harmony with the
principles of his holy law. This is Bible sanctification.
This work can be accomplished only through faith in Christ, by
the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. Paul admonishes believers,
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
[Philippians 2:12, 13.] The Christian will feel the promptings of sin,
but he will maintain a constant warfare against it. Here is where
[470] Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine
strength, and faith exclaims, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [1 Corinthians 15:57.]

The Scriptures plainly show that the work of sanctification is
progressive. When in conversion the sinner finds peace with God
through the blood of the atonement, the Christian life has but just
begun. Now he is to “go on unto perfection;” to grow up “unto the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Says the apostle
Paul: “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
[Philippians 3:13, 14.] And Peter sets before us the steps by which
Bible sanctification is to be attained: “Giving all diligence, add to
your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance;
and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and
to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity....
If ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” [2 Peter 1:5-10.]

Those who experience the sanctification of the Bible will manifest
a spirit of humility. Like Moses, they have had a view of the
awful majesty of holiness, and they see their own unworthiness, in
contrast with the purity and exalted perfection of the Infinite One.
The prophet Daniel was an example of true sanctification. His
long life was filled up with noble service for his Master. He was a
man “greatly beloved” [Daniel 10:11.] of Heaven. Yet instead of
claiming to be pure and holy, this honored prophet identified himself
with the really sinful of Israel, as he pleaded before God in behalf
of his people: “We do not present our supplications before thee for
our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” “We have sinned, we
have done wickedly.” He declares, “I was speaking, and praying, and
confessing my sin and the sin of my people.” And when at a later
time the Son of God appeared, to give him instruction, he declares, [471]
“My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no
strength.” [Daniel 9:18, 15, 20; 10:8.]
When Job heard the voice of the Lord out of the whirlwind,
he exclaimed, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” [Job
42:6.] It was when Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, and heard the
cherubim crying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts,” that he
cried out, “Woe is me! for I am undone.” [Isaiah 6:3, 5.] Paul, after
he was caught up into the third heaven, and heard things which it was
not possible for a man to utter, speaks of himself as “less than the
least of all saints.” [2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (Margin); Ephesians 3:8.]
It was the beloved John, that leaned on Jesus’ breast, and beheld his
glory, who fell as one dead before the feet of the angel. [Revelation
22:8.]
There can be no self-exaltation, no boastful claim to freedom
from sin, on the part of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary’s
cross. They feel that it was their sin which caused the agony that
broke the heart of the Son of God, and this thought will lead them to
self-abasement. Those who live nearest to Jesus discern most clearly
the frailty and sinfulness of humanity, and their only hope is in the
merit of a crucified and risen Saviour.
The sanctification now gaining prominence in the religious
world, carries with it a spirit of self-exaltation, and a disregard
for the law of God, that mark it as foreign to the religion of the Bible.
Its advocates teach that sanctification is an instantaneous work, by

which, through faith alone, they attain to perfect holiness. “Only
believe,” say they, “and the blessing is yours.” No further effort on
the part of the receiver is supposed to be required. At the same
time they deny the authority of the law of God, urging that they
are released from obligation to keep the commandments. But is it
possible for men to be holy, in accord with the will and character
of God, without coming into harmony with the principles which
are an expression of his nature and will, and which show what is
well-pleasing to him?
[472] The desire for an easy religion, that requires no striving, no
self-denial, no divorce from the follies of the world, has made the
doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine; but what saith
the Word of God? Says the apostle James: “What doth it profit, my
brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can
faith save him? ... Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without
works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when
he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith
wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ...
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only.” [James 2:14-24.]
The testimony of the Word of God is against this ensnaring
doctrine of faith without works. It is not faith that claims the favor of
Heaven without complying with the conditions upon which mercy is
to be granted. It is presumption; for genuine faith has its foundation
in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.
Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become
holy while willfully violating one of God’s requirements. The
commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the
Spirit, and separates the soul from God. “Sin is the transgression
of the law.” And “whosoever sinneth [transgresseth the law] hath
not seen him, neither known him.” [1 John 3:6.] Though John in
his epistles dwells so fully upon love, yet he does not hesitate to
reveal the true character of that class who claim to be sanctified
while living in transgression of the law of God. “He that saith, I
know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is
the love of God perfected.” [1 John 2:4, 5.] Here is the test of every
man’s profession. We cannot accord holiness to any man without

bringing him to the measurement of God’s only standard of holiness
in Heaven and in earth. If men feel no weight of the moral law, if
they belittle and make light of God’s precepts, if they break one of [473]
the least of these commandments, and teach men so, they shall be
of no esteem in the sight of Heaven, and we may know that their
claims are without foundation.
And the claim to be without sin is, in itself, evidence that he
who makes this claim is far from holy. It is because he has no true
conception of the infinite purity and holiness of God, or of what they
must become who shall be in harmony with his character; because
he has no true conception of the purity and exalted loveliness of
Jesus, and the malignity and evil of sin, that man can regard himself
as holy. The greater the distance between himself and Christ, and
the more inadequate his conceptions of the divine character and
requirements, the more righteous he appears in his own eyes.
The sanctification set forth in the Scriptures embraces the entire
being,—spirit, soul, and body. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians,
that their “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [1 Thessalonians 5:23.]
Again he writes to believers, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God.” [Romans 12:1.] In the time of ancient
Israel, every offering brought as a sacrifice to God was carefully
examined. If any defect was discovered in the animal presented, it
was refused; for God had commanded that the offering be “without

blemish.” So Christians are bidden to present their bodies, “a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” In order to do this, all their
powers must be preserved in the best possible condition. Every
practice that weakens physical or mental strength unfits man for the
service of his Creator. And will God be pleased with anything less
than the best we can offer? Said Christ, “Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart.” Those who do love God with all the
heart, will desire to give him the best service of their life, and they
will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into [474]
harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do his will.
They will not, by the indulgence of appetite or passion, enfeeble or
defile the offering which they present to their heavenly Father.

Says Peter, “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the
soul.” [1 Peter 2:11.] Every sinful gratification tends to benumb the
faculties and deaden the mental and spiritual perceptions, and the
Word or the Spirit of God can make but a feeble impression upon the
heart. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Let us cleanse ourselves from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God.” [2 Corinthians 7:1.] And with the fruits of the Spirit,—“love,
joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,“—
he classes temperance. [Galatians 5:22, 23.]
Notwithstanding these inspired declarations, how many professed
Christians are enfeebling their powers in the pursuit of gain
or the worship of fashion; how many are debasing their godlike
manhood by gluttony, by wine-drinking, by forbidden pleasure. And
the church, instead of rebuking, too often encourages the evil by
appealing to appetite, to desire for gain, or love of pleasure, to replenish
her treasury, which love for Christ is too feeble to supply.
Were Jesus to enter the churches of today, and behold the feasting
and unholy traffic there conducted in the name of religion, would he
not drive out those desecrators, as he banished the money-changers
from the temple?
The apostle James declares that the wisdom from above is “first
pure.” Had he encountered those who take the precious name of
Jesus upon lips defiled by tobacco, those whose breath and person
are contaminated by its foul odor, and who pollute the air of heaven,
and force all about them to inhale the poison,—had the apostle come
in contact with a practice so opposed to the purity of the gospel,
would he not have denounced it as “earthly, sensual, devilish”?
Slaves of tobacco, claiming the blessing of entire sanctification,
[475] talk of their hope of Heaven; but God’s Word plainly declares that
“there shall in nowise enter into it anything that defileth.” [Revelation
21:27.]
“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] He
whose body is the temple of the Holy Spirit will not be enslaved by a
pernicious habit. His powers belong to Christ, who has bought him
with the price of blood. His property is the Lord’s. How could he

be guiltless in squandering this intrusted capital? Professed Christians
yearly expend an immense sum upon useless and pernicious
indulgences, while souls are perishing for the word of life. God is
robbed in tithes and offerings, while they consume upon the altar of
destroying lust more than they give to relieve the poor or for the support
of the gospel. If all who profess to be followers of Christ were
truly sanctified, their means, instead of being spent for needless and
even hurtful indulgences, would be turned into the Lord’s treasury,
and Christians would set an example of temperance, self-denial, and

self-sacrifice. Then they would be the light of the world.
The world is given up to self-indulgence. “The lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eye, and the pride of life,” control the masses of the
people. But Christ’s followers have a holier calling. “Come out from
among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean.” In the light of God’s Word we are justified in declaring
that sanctification cannot be genuine which does not work this utter
renunciation of the sinful pursuits and gratifications of the world.
To those who comply with the conditions, Come out from among
them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean, God’s promise
is, “I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall [476]
be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians
6:17, 18.] It is the privilege and the duty of every Christian to have a
rich and abundant experience in the things of God. “I am the light
of the world,” said Jesus. “He that followeth me shall not walk in

darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [John 8:12.] “The path
of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto
the perfect day.” [Proverbs 4:18.] Every step of faith and obedience
brings the soul into closer connection with the Light of the world,
in whom “there is no darkness at all.” The bright beams of the Sun
of Righteousness shine upon the servants of God, and they are to
reflect his rays. As the stars tell us that there is a great light in
Heaven with whose glory they are made bright, so Christians are to
make it manifest that there is a God on the throne of the universe
whose character is worthy of praise and imitation. The graces of his
Spirit, the purity and holiness of his character, will be manifest in
his witnesses.
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, sets forth the rich blessings
granted to the children of God. He says: We “do not cease to pray

for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every
good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened
with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience
and long-suffering with joyfulness.” [Colossians 1:9-11.]
Again he writes of his desire that the brethren at Ephesus might
come to understand the height of the Christian’s privilege. He opens
before them, in the most comprehensive language, the marvelous
power and knowledge that they might possess as sons and daughters
of the Most High. It was theirs “to be strengthened with might by
his Spirit in the inner man,” to be “rooted and grounded in love,”
[477] to “comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge.” But the prayer of the apostle reaches the climax of
privilege when he prays that “ye might be filled with all the fullness
of God.” [Ephesians 3:16-19.]
Here are revealed the heights of attainment that we may reach
through faith in the promises of our heavenly Father, when we fulfill
his requirements. Through the merits of Christ, we have access to
the throne of infinite power. “He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give
us all things?” [Romans 8:32.] The Father gave his Spirit without
measure to his Son, and we also may partake of its fullness. Jesus
says: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask him?” [Luke 11:13.] “If ye shall ask anything
in my name, I will do it.” “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy
may be full.” [John 14:14; 16:24.]
While the Christian’s life will be characterized by humility, it
should not be marked with sadness and self-depreciation. It is the
privilege of every one to so live that God will approve and bless
him. It is not the will of our heavenly Father that we should be ever
under condemnation and darkness. There is no evidence of true
humility in going with the head bowed down and the heart filled
with thoughts of self. We may go to Jesus and be cleansed, and stand
before the law without shame and remorse. “There is therefore now

no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” [Romans 8:1.]
Through Jesus the fallen sons of Adam become “sons of God.”
“Both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one;
for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” [Hebrews
2:11.] The Christian’s life should be one of faith, of victory, and
joy in God. “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world;
and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” [478]
[1 John 5:4.] Truly spake God’s servant Nehemiah, “The joy of the
Lord is your strength.” [Nehemiah 8:10.] And says Paul: “Rejoice in
the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.” “Rejoice evermore. Pray
without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.” [Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18.]
Such are the fruits of Bible conversion and sanctification; and
it is because the great principles of righteousness set forth in the
law of God are so indifferently regarded by the Christian world, that
these fruits are so rarely witnessed. This is why there is manifest so
little of that deep, abiding work of the Spirit of God which marked
revivals in former years.
It is by beholding that we become changed. And as those sacred
precepts in which God has opened to men the perfection and holiness
of his character are neglected, and the minds of the people are
attracted to human teachings and theories, what marvel that there
has followed a decline of living piety in the church. Saith the Lord,
“They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed
them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” [Jeremiah
2:3.]
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly....
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law
doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his
leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
[Psalm 1:1-3.] It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful
position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness
among his professed people. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the
ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and
walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” [Jeremiah 6:16.]
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