This experience does not place us beyond temptation. It only fortifies
us more strongly against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and
greatly diminishes the probability of falling.
Ques. Does not the word of God teach that "Whosoever abideth in him
sinneth not"; and "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin"?
Ans. Yes; this is certainly true. There is no possibility of sinning in
Christ. It is only when a person gets out of Christ that it is possible
to commit sin. The term "born of God" includes both justified and
sanctified. No justified person can commit sin and retain the justified
experience; therefore, no one who is born of God and retains this divine
relationship in him will sin. Everyone who commits sin must do so
outside of this life in God. The apostle John says, "Whosoever sinneth
hath not seen him, neither known him," which signifies that in the act
of committing sin a person gets entirely outside of Christ. In such an
act he has not seen, nor known him. The apostle also says concerning
those who are born of God, that they "cannot sin," because they are
"born of God." This statement agrees with the one just quoted, and
proves that it is not possible to commit sin in Christ; but it does not
infer that it is not possible to get out of Christ and commit sin. The
expression "cannot sin" simply signifies that there is no disposition in
the heart to commit sin. We are constrained by love to him who gave his
life for us, to do nothing to displease him. We have the privilege and
power to displease him if we will, but we have no will to do so. We
"cannot" do it and abide loyal to him. A mother may be requested to take
a weapon and slay her child, but she at once answers, I cannot! Yea, she
can if she will; but the answer would in every case be repeated "I
cannot!" It is not difficult to see why she cannot do such a deed. She
has no disposition to do so, even though she has the power to do it. Her
love for her child renders it impossible so long as that love continues.
Ques. Can a person be restored to this experience of sanctification if
it should be lost?
Ans. Yes, by complying with the conditions; but the same act of sin
which would cause us to lose our experience of sanctification would also
forfeit our justification, and bring us into condemnation. Therefore the
conditions necessary to get back into Christ would be first, repentance
and faith; then by a definite consecration, or a renewal of our
consecration which has been broken, and a definite faith in the
all-cleansing blood of Christ we will be restored to sanctification.
Ques. In case a person shall unfortunately sustain such a loss, how long
would it take to become restored?
Ans. Just as long as it would take to meet the conditions. No one in
such a case should wait an hour, but knowing just what conditions are
required, they should be complied with at once.
Ques. How can we understand the seventh chapter of Romans to harmonize
with the doctrine of holiness?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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