March 14

Read: Hebrews 6:1-3

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (Hebrews 6:1).

A Further Work Of Grace

Entire sanctification is a second work of grace because it is a further work of grace. In our text for today God’s Word admonishes us, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.” We are not to remain content with the elementary attainments of the Christian life such as repentance, faith for salvation, and baptism. We are to move beyond these.

But a man cannot go on until he has previously gone somewhere. The sinner is like the southern boy who was asked by his hostess if he would like some molasses. He replied, “How kin I have mo’ ‘lasses when I ain’t had no ‘lasses yet?”

Having experienced the beginning stage of repentance and saving faith, and having witnessed to our faith in baptism, we are then to go on. The writer gives sound Christian counsel when he urges, “Let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ the Messiah, advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belongs to spiritual maturity” (The Amplified New Testament).

Some one hundred and fifty years ago Adam Clarke succinctly asked: “What then is this complete sanctification?… It is the washing of the soul of a true believer from the remains of sin; it is the making one who is already a child of God more holy, that he may be more happy, more useful in the world, and bring more glory to his Heavenly Father.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on heaven’s table land, A higher plane than I have found. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

— Johnson Oatman, Jr.