SANCTIFICATION AND HOLINESS

“To the Church of God ... those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the Name of our Lord Jesus,” 1Cor.1:2.

Introduction

An ‘Apostolic Faith’ newspaper published in 1906 explained: “Baptism in the Holy Ghost is not a work of grace but a gift of power. Sanctification is the second and last work of grace. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a free gift without repentance needing no consecration. Consecration is all made in sanctification.”

It is clear from the writings of the time of the ‘move of God’ at Azusa Street, Los Angeles, at the beginning of the twentieth century, that ‘sanctification’ was a well established doctrine. Denominations based upon ‘holiness doctrine’ had already been formed before the Church began to recover the scriptural reality of being ‘baptised in the Holy Spirit’. Many, so called, “Holiness Churches” could be found. Whether or not the doctrine of that time was altogether correct, today it is much more difficult to find such an emphasis on holiness amongst the denominations. Additionally, the moral decline in Society has made ‘immoral behaviour’ normal; so much so in fact, that many Christians consider that they too can depart from the God’s standards, as if this will not have any consequences for them. The ‘standard’ needs to be raised once more, reminding us that God is still declaring to men that “all everywhere should repent”, and forewarning us “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead,” (Acts17:30&31).

In recent years moral standards have plummeted to such an extent that it now seems ‘acceptable’ to Christian and non-Christian alike to do just as they please - and not as God pleases! Many are confused even about their own sexuality. “Anything goes” as the Twenty First Century begins! It has reached the point where even Christians who have a high moral standard are frowned upon as being somehow abnormal and come under much the pressure to join the ‘way of the world’.

If we try in our own strength to do what is ‘right’ we often fail, but if we have accepted Jesus to be first in our lives - in every area of our lives - knowing in our hearts what is right and walking in it, we will know we are doing what is right in God’s eyes and our own too. This walk is a daily one and sometimes we are tempted, but if we have that inner strength it is possible to stay firm.

It is difficult these days, particularly for young people, as immoral behaviour is condoned in much that is on television or on the cinema screens. Filth is dressed up as comedy or drama, and is accepted as normal practice. It is so sad to see the deprivation and ruination of so many lives which this causes.

So it is against this ‘backdrop’ that this booklet is being written. Its aim is not just to uphold ‘holiness’, but also to try and explain how Jesus has made the ‘way’ for us to walk in it - by His Spirit, because if we try to comply with the letter of the Law ourselves we cannot succeed.

What Sanctification Is Not!

‘Sanctification’ and ‘Holiness’ are the same word; in Greek - ‘Hagiasmos’. Most believers associate ‘holiness’ as walking without sin, something they are usually trying to achieve by their own efforts! They may not even realise this is what they are doing. However, trying to walk a holy walk by one’s own efforts is an uphill struggle which is doomed to failure! Because of this, the majority would rather take an easier route, one of compromise and licence, often using weak excuses in an attempt to justify themselves. “Everyone does it these days” is commonly heard! Conversely, some sincerely try to uphold the biblical standard, introducing a puritanical form of Christianity holding little attraction, one of walking by the ‘Law’. (The 'Law' may be defined as the moral aspect of the Mosaic Law which shows us the behaviour which is acceptable to God.) Needing strong character, and much effort, this offer of the opportunity to do what is ‘right’ in the sight of God is usually declined. Those advocating compliance with the ‘Law’ can show a lack of compassion giving the impression that God’s character is only one of severity, rather than of love.

Additionally, it would seem that there are many wrong understandings regarding what ‘holiness’ or ‘sanctification’ is and how to walk in it. We need to understand that our correct walk is not itself ‘holiness’ - our correct walk is a result of holiness. This is little understood. A holy man is not someone who has his eyes on his own whiteness but one who is personally and passionately devoted to the Lord who saved him. Holiness in behaviour is indicative that a believer has truly repented.

However, few understand that from the first moment they are ‘born again’ they are already ‘sanctified’ - made ‘holy’ - just one of many gifts that Jesus has won for His Church through His death and resurrection. It is through a lack of knowledge of our inheritance in Him that we are unable to actually appropriate this, making this spiritual reality effective in our everyday walk. So, not only does Jesus impart ‘sanctification’ to us He also provides the way to walk in it - by the Spirit. It is this ‘good news’ which is part of the ‘gospel of the Kingdom of God’, a gospel which is rarely preached and therefore, rarely understood and walked in.

What Is Sanctification?

Sanctification, or holiness, means ‘separation unto God’, the reality for believers into which God calls them, and also ‘the conduct of those so separated’. So it is that a Christian does not attain sainthood - rather it is into ‘sanctification’ which God in grace calls men. “God, who has saved us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” (2Tim.1:9). Therefore, we are ‘saints’ or ‘holy ones’, whether we feel like it or not! The picture of the ‘saint’ which the religious Christian ‘counterfeit’ Church paints belies this amazing victory which Jesus has already won and imparted to those who are part of His Body, the Church. All believers are sanctified. It is part of what Jesus has already accomplished for us, for Jesus became [past tense] wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, (1Cor.1:30). We were [past tense] washed, we were [past tense] sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of God, (1Cor.6:11). As ‘saints’ we are already holy; in Greek - ‘hagioi’. We are described figuratively, therefore, as a ‘holy temple’: “The temple of God is holy, and that is what you are,” (1.Cor.3:17). We are already a ‘holy priesthood’ and a ‘holy nation’: “You are [present tense] a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession,” (2Pet.2:9 and verse 5).

However, Scripture tells us that believers are also called to sanctify themselves, cleansing themselves from all defilement; forsaking sin and living a holy life: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but, like the Holy One who called you, also be holy yourselves in all your behaviour because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am Holy,’” (1Pet.1:14-16). This highest of standards is the one the Bible upholds, an impossible one to achieve if the ‘way’ to do this is by our own effort and in our strength alone. However, we will learn that Jesus also provides the ‘Way’.

Our Standing and State

Many are confused or misunderstand Scripture because of the apparent paradoxcreated because we still need to attain sanctification although we are sanctified. The New Testament, however, deals with both our ‘standing’ in Christ as well as the reality of our ‘state’. Correctly dividing Scripture in this regard is very important. Indeed, unless this apparent ‘paradox’ is understood, it might appear that many scriptures are contradictory. For example, Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained, or have already become perfect,” (Phil.3:12), yet the writer to the Hebrews states, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified,” (Heb.10:14). So we see that even though ‘we are holy, we have to be holy’. This is explained because our ‘standing’ in Christ is to do with our position in Him, the very highest position into which we are called; whilst our ‘state’, on the other hand, is related to our walk. Therefore, we find Scripture pointing us to what often seems an unobtainable standard and at the same time dealing with the stark reality of ‘all that is not good in us’, contrasting so markedly with all that we are in Christ.

It is by accepting all that we are ‘in Christ’ by faith, [for as new creations all these things are ours], that we find that our walk complies with this reality as long as we walk in the Spirit. Should we stumble, and of course we can, our fellowship with Jesus is effected, but Jesus also provides the way for us to be forgiven and so re-establish our fellowship with Him.

This state of affairs does not allow for licentiousness, however. The very opposite is true. We cannot just ‘do’ as we please, knowing there is forgiveness and restitution in Jesus through His precious blood. There is a necessity to walk in fear and awe of the Lord. Peter, in referring to the awesome ‘day of the Lord’ when the earth and its works will be burned up, warns us, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,” (2Pet.3:10&11). A healthy ‘fear of God’ is not easily found amongst those who would say they uphold His Name.

Some forms of the ‘Christian Religion’, which is not true Christianity, seem to suggest that none of God’s standards are obtainable and so continual forgiveness, and even penance, is suggested for what really is ‘continual sin’. Those complying with this mockery of truth see themselves only as ‘miserable sinners’, and not ‘righteous saints’, which is the reality that Jesus truly came to provide. It is crucial that this difference is discerned and understood.

Separated unto God

As Christians we are called to be a people “for God’s own possession,” (2Pet.2:9). We should all have come to the ‘decision’ to give up our ‘right to ourselves’, acknowledging that “we are no longer our own ... for we have been bought with a price,” (1Cor.6:20). In reality many Christians have never come to this place and so have not experienced entire sanctification, not identifying themselves completely in God’s interests. This is the reason for so much nominal, weak, and faithless Christianity.

It is by faith that we are ‘sanctified’, ‘made holy’, ‘separated unto God’, (Acts 26:18), and it was for this purpose Jesus “reconciled us in His fleshly body through death, in order to present us before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach,” (Col.1:22). This is what true Christianity is all about. If we try to retain our right to ourselves we miss the point completely. By God’s will, “we have been [past tense] sanctified through the body of Jesus Christ once for all,” (Heb.10:10), and “by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified,” (Heb.10:14). This is our ‘standing in Christ’, part of the glorious inheritance which we have already come into - it is ours - now! This is our true position, even if we may not ‘feel’ that it is true. This reality, however, must be accepted by faith, because this is what God tells us we actually are in Christ.

I still clearly remember, in my early Christian days, hearing a sermon on sanctification at a summer ‘camp meeting’. This was my biggest desire. As I pondered on this the following day I came to understand in my heart that I was already sanctified. I knew it - deep in my inner man! My desire for all of God had brought with it this impartation. It was a gift; a gift I realised that day I had already received. I had already come to that place where I wanted Jesus’ life to be my life, wanting to identify myself completely with God’s will for my own life as well as be concerned for His overall plans and purposes. I now realise this desire should not be the exception, it is the rule! It is an absence of ‘dying to self’ that has produced so much ineffective Christianity. Every believer needs to be able to say along with Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God,” (Gal.2:20).

However, our ‘walk’ is also important, because this wondrous gift and reality of sanctification comes with the warning that we must not “trample underfoot the Son of God” nor regard “as unclean the blood of the covenant by which we are sanctified” and so “insult the Spirit of grace.” “For the Lord will judge His people,” (Heb.10:29&30). So in our ‘walk’ we must also to be holy.

We Are To Be Holy

Having been ‘separated unto God’ as a gift, by His grace, we are therefore to be separated from evil things and ways - but not by our own efforts! It is in this that so many return to the ‘Law’, trying to fulfil that which it is impossible to ‘do’ in their own strength and effort.

Some might accept ‘walking by the Law’, despite the inevitability that this is bound to fail, because of the offer of forgiveness and cleansing from sin through the ongoing efficacy of the blood of Jesus. However, this denies the possible victory over sin which can be ours should we walk - as all Christians should walk - by the Spirit. It is the counterfeit ‘Christian Religion’ that does not offer anything except for the ‘saint’ [if indeed the 'churchgoer' is one] to continually admit they are still a ‘sinner’, offering no victory over sin which God’s gift of righteousness brings. Continual consciousness of sin keeps many a saint in weakness. Too many have an ongoing expectation that sin will at any time overwhelm them, rather than an ever present consciousness of their righteousness - their right standing with God. Ours should be a positive confession for there is no doubt that “God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification,” (1Thess.4:7). “This is the will of God, our sanctification,” (1Thess.4:3), particularly that we abstain from sexual immorality, each of us knowing “how to posses our own vessel in sanctification and honour,” (v.4).

The Standard That Scripture Upholds

“The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and appearing of our God and Saviour, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds,” (Titus 2:11).

“Since you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things which are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things of the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed, which amounts to idolatry,” (Col.3:1).

“Walk and please God, for this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that you possess your own vessel in sanctification and honour, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God. The Lord is the avenger of these things, just as we also told you before, and warned you, so let no man defraud and transgress his brother in the matter, for God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. Consequently, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but God who gives the Holy Spirit to you,” (1Thess.4:1).

“Do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints, for this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person has an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not become partakers with them, for you were formerly in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth; trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them, for it is disgraceful to even speak of these things which are done in secret ... Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise men, making the most of your time for the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is, and do not get drunk, for this is dissipation [frivolous or intemperate living], but be filled with the Spirit,” (Eph.5:3-18).

“Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, for the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you may not do just as you please. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities [hatred], strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissentions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you ... that those who practice such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, (Gal.5:16-21).

“The Lord knows who are His and let everyone who names the Name of the Lord abstain from wickedness. Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things he will be a vessel of honour, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee, now, from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart,” (2Tim.2:19,21&22).

From these Scripture passages we can clearly see God’s high standard but we fall into a trap if we think that we can pursue this standard by our own effort, endeavouring to achieve what is required in exactly the same way as if we were under the Law. Paul warns us that to do such a thing is actually to comply with another gospel!

The True Gospel is not According to Man

Paul admonishes the Church in Galatia, saying, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another, only there are some who ... want to distort the gospel of Christ ... I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man ... knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we [the Jews] have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law, since by the works of the Law shall no man be justified,” (Gal.1:6&7,11&16). In Paul's letter to the Galatians he explains that we are no longer under the Law, although the requirement of the Law is to be fulfilled in us. Paul explains we are now to walk in the Spirit. Paul tells us that now faith has been revealed, (Gal.3:23), we must not fall from grace but “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh,” explaining that “if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the Law, (Gal.5:16&18).

Walking by the Spirit

This amazing reality - that if we walk by the Spirit we will not carry out the desires of the flesh - is the key to our whole sanctification, in spirit, soul and body. This is the miraculous reality available in the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus, through which God has been able to put His Law within us, writing it on our hearts, so that He can be our God and we can be His people: “This is the Covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, ‘I will put My Law within them, and on their heart I will write it, and I will be their God and they shall be My people,” (Jer.31:33 and Heb.10:16). Satan has done all he can to prevent us from walking in the Spirit, for he knows that it is when we do so that we cannot be defeated and are able to appropriate all that Jesus has accomplished for us through His death and resurrection. More often than not, numerous new Christians are directed to men's organisations and denominations rather than being directed to the Holy Spirit, who alone is able to teach them and give them the spiritual understanding we all so desperately need. By getting us to forego a walk in the Spirit, Satan subtly gets us to walk by ‘works’ rather than by faith, preventing us from receiving “the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness” which enables us to “reign in life through Jesus Christ,” (Rom.5:17).

Maintaining Our Separation unto the Lord

The ‘Christian Religion’, which is not true Christianity, replaces faith with works.

Thus the essential ministry of the Holy Spirit as our Teacher and Guide is lost, and believers look to men as their ‘leaders’ and ‘teachers’ in place of the Holy Spirit. Compounding this error, most denominational Christianity upholds a hierarchy by ‘man’ requiring a submission to their authority which Jesus told us we must not be subject to. Effectively this is a denial of our separation unto the Lord, which is the very thing our ‘sanctification’ is. Jesus said, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors’. But not so with you,” (Luke 22:25&26). It is this same widespread and subtle error, which permeates most of what considers itself ‘Christian’, that prevents the believer from being led by the Spirit. They neither look to the Holy Spirit as Teacher, nor look to Him as their Helper and Guide, but rather think they are following the Lord when in most cases they have become disciples of men rather than disciples of Jesus. True sanctification cuts right across this. The ‘sin’ of forsaking the leading of the Spirit, like any other sin, needs to be repented of. Sadly, few believers are in fact ‘led by the Spirit!

Correct Beginnings

So it is that our correct beginning as Christians should be as a disciple of Jesus, making Him truly our Lord. Many, when leading new believers to Christ, do not refer to the need for our ‘consecration’ to Him. It is in our presenting ourselves as slaves to righteousness that we achieve sanctification: “present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification,” (Rom.6:19). In so many Christians this ‘consecration’ is lacking. They still live for themselves, never having counted themselves as having died with Christ so that they might live with Him in newness of life. In reality Jesus is not their Lord.

Enslaved to God

For too long an easy gospel of ‘salvation only’ has been preached which has not mentioned the necessity of true repentance - dying to sin in order to be raised to newness of life. It is only if we have been united with Jesus in the likeness of His death that we can also be united with Him in the likeness of His resurrection. “Our old self was crucified with Christ that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin, for it is he who has died that is freed from sin,” (Rom.6:6). Correctly, this reality should be acknowledged in our water baptism, even on the first day we believed. The Acts of the Apostles indicates that this was how it was in those first days of the Church.

The one who has died with Christ is also, by faith, able to live with Him, (v.8), and so can consider themselves as dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus, (v.11). This is the ‘consecration’ that each believer must make if he is to walk in the Spirit. The New Testament does not specifically mention ‘consecration’ although many, when trying to explain ‘sanctification’, will use this word. What the New Testament does explain, however, is that at the beginning of our walk with the Lord, it is necessary for us to turn to God in order that sin is dealt with in our lives and we can begin our walk in Jesus; one of victory in the Spirit. Thus as we “present ourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness,” we find that “sin shall not be master over us, for we are not under Law but under grace,” (v.14).

Paul describes this ‘consecration’ as a decision to become “obedient from the heart”, thus becoming “slaves of righteousness” which “results in sanctification”, (Rom.6:17-19), and “having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, we derive our benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome eternal life, (v.22).

Now we are able to “serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter”, for a new and living way has been made for us by our being joined to Him who was raised from the dead, (Rom.7:6 & 4). At last we have a solution to the conflict which lies within us due to nothing good dwelling in our flesh, so that even when the wishing to do good is present in us, “the good that I wish I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not wish,” (v.19).

Our Victory in Christ

“What the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit,” (Rom.8:3&4). This is victory!

So we find that there is available to us a walk in the Spirit which brings forth the manifestation of holiness - compliance with the Law - in our members, which no amount of effort and works could achieve. The “mind set on the flesh” [In the Greek - the mind of the flesh] “is death,” but the “mind set on the Spirit” [In the Greek - the mind of the Spirit] “is life and peace,” (Rom.8:6). So it is that “by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the body” thus bringing life, “for all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God,” (v.16).

Being Led by the Spirit

Satan has done such a good job of detracting the Church from this place of true sonship - one where every believer is led by the Spirit - that most Christians may even imagine this reality is unobtainable for them! However, every believer, having been born again by the Spirit, knows the reality of the “the Spirit Himself bearing witness with their spirit that they are a child of God,” (Rom.8:16). Paul tells us “we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in us,” (Rom.8:9), and “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us, He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells us,” (v.11). If we have lost the reality of being led by the Spirit of God, we need to recover it once more.. Let us go back, if necessary, as Paul admonished the ‘legal Galatians’ to do, reminding ourselves that we did not receive “the Spirit by the works of the Law” but “by hearing with faith,” (Gal.3:2). Then we can “put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him ... as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,” (Col.3:10&12).

‘Many Will Be Deceived’

The message in this booklet is a serious and urgent one. Because of the ‘lateness of the hour’ deception is already increasing as never before. Hand in hand with this increase in deception we see corruption increasing, even amongst those who profess to belong to the Lord. But the Lord will build His Church. Many do not yet see the immensity of the battle that surrounds the Body of Christ, of which they are part. For some years prophecies have been brought forth by the Spirit of God which called for ‘holiness’. In conclusion I transcribe a prophecy which came forth amongst the brethren with whom I have met in these last years. It needs to be ‘weighed’. It is a very serious ‘word’ which concurs with the message of this book. Soon the ‘last contest of the righteous’ will commence before the Lord returns for His bride. Let us not forget that “He will present to Himself the Church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and blameless, (Eph.5:27).

‘Many when deceived will believe that I can only work through the corrupt institutions of men. I am the Lord and I have declared in these times that I will work through a holy people. ‘Holiness unto the Lord’ is the word of the Spirit to the Church today. I do not bless organisations, I do not bless any denominations. All the institutions of men are corrupt, destitute of the truth and their base spiritual influence is antichrist. My Word tells you clearly that people are the contact of My Spirit. I bless people, individual people, people who seek Me. I have given My people My word to be holy. “Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow I will do wonders in your midst.” This word has been the basis of My visitations since the beginning of time, and I say again - it is the basis of the ‘move’ coming shortly. Those who are deceived think differently. They are sensing in their spirit that there is going to be a ‘move’ and they want to be part of it. But I am reducing the Gideon’s Army further. Those who cannot see this revelation of ‘holiness’ will turn to the corrupt institutions of men thinking that I the Lord of all the earth are limited by these vile organisations.

My heart weeps for My people. Their faith is small, their hearts are dark in understanding. Not only will I not bless organisations - I stand against them for I have already sent judgement upon them. The people will survive if they repent and turn to Me, but the institutions will be judged, and those who hold fast to these institutions will fall with it.

Beware My people. You are living in the days of great judgement. Those who do not pursue this word of ‘holiness’ shall receive judgement. Those who speak against it shall be punished if they do not quickly repent. My people! Oh, My people! How long must I wait for hearts to turn to Me. How long must I wait while the dross is worked out. I wait for more but none come. And even those who first came are going back to those institutions and not to Me, just like the son who said, “Yes, I will do this” and then changed his mind and did not do it. Yet some who said, “No” will come, and these will do the Father’s will.

Soon is the wind full that calls for ‘holiness’. Turn your life into this wind and let Me blow out pride, ambition, unforgiveness, hurts, lust, greed, and deceit. Yes, it will be painful and lonely for a short while. Then, when you are ready, I shall come with My Holy Spirit working through a holy people with a call on the nations, “Holiness unto the Lord or perish.”

This will be the last message and will build the Kingdom of My God. Holiness is the highway that leads to Me. The ‘corrupt’ and the ‘sinner’ will not walk on it and no institutions of men shall be there, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord.

Yes, those who reject this work shall not see the Lord in His glory but will see Me in the judgement seat.’

“Behold then the kindness and the severity of God,” (Rom11:22). The reader may find the severity of God portrayed in this prophecy difficult to cope with. But we need to beware lest we have become accustomed to hearing only that which ‘tickles our ears’. The Church, the Body of Christ, needs to wake up to the fact that God’s wrath is coming upon the earth.

“This you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience,” (Eph.5:5&6). But “God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1Thess.5:9). Let us remember that “we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, (Eph.2:3-6).

It is this offer of God’s love and mercy found in the glorious gospel of His Kingdom which is still available, and that will be preached to all the nations as a witness before His judgement. May we each, therefore, seek His sanctification with all diligence that we might not only receive His love and mercy, but that we might work with Him “who desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth,” (1Tim.2:4).

Table of Contents

SANCTIFICATION AND HOLINESS

Introduction

What Sanctification Is Not!

What Is Sanctification?

Our Standing and State

The Standard That Scripture Upholds

The True Gospel is not According to Man

Walking by the Spirit

Maintaining Our Separation unto the Lord

Enslaved to God

Our Victory in Christ

Being Led by the Spirit

‘Many Will Be Deceived’