And is there not a science of salvation, of holiness, of eternal life, that requires the same absolute loyalty to “the Spirit of Truth”? How infinitely important, then, that we know what that truth is, that we may understand and hold that doctrine.
A friend of mine who finished his course with joy, and was called into the presence of his Lord to receive his crown some time ago, has pointed out some mistakes which we must carefully avoid. Here they are:—
“It is a great mistake to substitute repentance for Bible consecration. The people whom Paul exhorted to full sanctification were those who had turned from their idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son sent down from Heaven (I Thess. i. 9, 10; iii. 10-13; v. 23).
“Only people who are citizens of His kingdom can claim His sanctifying power. Those who still have idols to renounce may be candidates for conversion, but not for the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.
“It is a mistake in consecration to suppose that the person making it has anything of his own to give. We are not our own, but we are bought with a price, and consecration is simply taking our hands off from God’s property. To wilfully withhold anything from God is to be a God-robber.
“It is a mistake to substitute a mere mental assent to God’s proprietorship and right to all we have, while withholding complete devotion to Him. This is theoretical consecration—a rock on which we fear multitudes are being wrecked. Consecration which does not embrace the crucifixion of self and the funeral of all false ambitions is not the kind which will bring the Holy Fire. A consecration is imperfect which does not embrace the speaking faculty” (the tongue), “and the believing faculty” (the heart), “the imagination, and every power of mind, soul, and body, and give all absolutely and for ever into the hands of Jesus, turning a deaf ear to every opposing voice.
“Reader, have you made such a consecration as this? It must embrace all this, or it will prove a bed of quicksand to sink your soul, instead of a full salvation balloon, which will safely bear you above the fog and malaria and turmoil of the world, where you can triumphantly sing:
“’I rise to float in realms of light,
Above the world and sin.
With heart made pure and garments white,
And Christ enthroned within.’
“It is a mistake to teach seekers to ‘only believe,’ without complete abandonment to God at every point, for they can no more do it than an anchored ship can sail.
“It is a mistake to substitute mere verbal assent for obedient trust. ‘Only believe’ is a fatal snare to all who fall into these traps.