January 14

Read: Philippians 3:12-15

Reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark… Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded (Philippians 3:13-15).

Purity And Maturity

We saw yesterday that God plans to make us like himself by filling us with the Holy Spirit now. This experience comes as a result of God’s offer and in response to our faith for it. When the Holy Spirit thus comes, He cleanses us from inherited sin and purifies our hearts. It is to such purified Christians that Paul appeals, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” But we know that this purity is only the beginning of the sanctified life. Purity of heart is not maturity in Christian life and conduct.

After entire sanctification, the healthy, sanctified Christian has many experiences through which his conduct becomes more perfectly harmonized with the will of God. A fuller knowledge of God’s will comes as we read the Bible; and we must move up to keep pace with this new light. An unexpected trial comes, and we must turn quickly to God for courage and strength to come through the new battle with victory. All such experiences are steps in the process of spiritual growth by which a man becomes more like the holy God in whose image he was created.

But while all of these are steps in the process, the crisis experience of entire sanctification is so fundamental that all of the others are vitally dependent upon it. When we have been sanctified wholly, Christian growth is normal as we press on toward the “measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” But until we have been sanctified wholly Christian life at best is anemic; all too often it weakens and dies.

Forgive, and make my nature whole; My inbred malady remove; To perfect holiness and love. To perfect holiness and love.

— Wesley’s Hymns