None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin.Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature.They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ.
So will it be with all who behold Christ.The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves.There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him.At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen.We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own: "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Romans 7:18; Galatians 6:14.
Let the recording angels write the history of the holy struggles and conflicts of the people of God; let them record their prayers and tears; but let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips, "I am sinless;I am holy." Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words.
The apostle Paul had been caught up to the third heaven and had seen and heard things that could not be uttered, and yet his unassuming statement is:
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but Ifollow after." Philippians 3:12.Let the angels of heaven write of Paul's victories in fighting the good fight of faith.Let heaven rejoice in his steadfast tread heavenward, and that, keeping the prize in view, he counts every other consideration dross.Angels rejoice to tell his triumphs, but Paul makes no boast of his attainments.The attitude of Paul is the attitude that every follower of Christ should take as he urges his way onward in the strife for the immortal crown.
Let those who feel inclined to make a high profession of holiness look into the mirror of God's law.As they see its far-reaching claims, and understand its work as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, they will not boast of sinlessness."If we," says John, not separating himself from his brethren, "say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8, 10, 9.
There are those who profess holiness, who declare that they are wholly the Lord's, who claim a right to the promises of God, while refusing to render obedience to His commandments.These transgressors of the law claim everything that is promised to the children of God; but this is presumption on their part, for John tells us that true love for God will be revealed in obedience to all His commandments.It is not enough to believe the theory of truth, to make a profession of faith in Christ, to believe that Jesus is no impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable."He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments," John wrote, "is a liar, and the truth is not in him.But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him." "He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him." 1 John 2:4, 5;3:24.
John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love."Ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins," he said, "and in Him is no sin.Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him." 1John 3:5, 6.If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God.The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law.
There are many who, though striving to obey God's commandments, have little peace or joy.This lack in their experience is the result of a failure to exercise faith.They walk as it were in a salt land, a parched wilderness.
