GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
1. The only standard of holiness recognised in Scripture is the perfect character and will of God.
1 Peter, i. 15, 16; Rom. xii. 2.
There is no allusion in the Word of God to any lower standard of any kind whatever. We are never taught there that ‘We are not called to walk by the rule of angels, who excel, in strength,’ or that ‘our standard is not that which it will be in our glorified bodies.’ According to Scripture, our rule is exactly the same as that of angels: our standard is exactly the same as it will be after the resurrection: and our constant prayer is, ‘Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.’ It is not the object of the Gospel to lower God’s standard to man’s level, but in, and through, the Lord Jesus Christ, to raise us to His standard, and at length present us as faultless before His throne.
2. Personal holiness is the work of God.
Of God the Father.
Jer. xxxi. 33; John, xvii. 17.
Of God the Son.
Matt. i. 21; 1 Cor. i. 30.
Of God the Holy Ghost.
Acts, xv. 9; 2 Cor. iii. 18.
3. It is the action of the believer.
Heb. xii. 1; 1 John, iii. 3.
I have seen God’s work in holiness described as the same as God’s work in the pardon of sin. But there is this essential difference: Forgiveness is an act of God in His own mind alone; holiness is a work of God in the mind of man, controlling and directing all the activities of the mind. Forgiveness is, therefore, altogether external to man, and must be received in trust alone; but holiness is a power and principle of human action, and therefore is developed in human activities. The distinction may be illustrated by repentance and forgiveness. Both are the gifts of our exalted Saviour. (Acts, v. 31.) But God forgives, and man repents.
4. It commences with a new creation in Christ Jesus.
2 Cor. v. 17; Eph. ii. 10.
5. It is the result of acceptance with God, and of the realization of His mercy.
1 John, iii. 2, 3; Rom. xii. 1.
6. The principle which God employs to produce it is faith.
Acts, xv. 9; 1 John, v. 4.
7. The instrument which He employs to produce it is the truth as revealed in His own Word.
John, xvii. 17.
8. The means by which it will be finally perfected will be the full view of Christ Himself.
1 John, iii. 2.