Finally, _compliance with God's conditions_ is included in whole-heartedly
seeking Holiness. The revealed conditions of entire Sanctification have
often been stated, but may be repeated once more: a turning from all
things known to be evil or doubtful; a full surrender and dedication of
ourselves to God's service; and a simple trust in the all-cleansing
Blood of Jesus Christ.
The real tests are different with different people, but all who seek
this blessing must face God's conditions, and pay the price by
complying with them, not only as I have stated the conditions in
general terms, but as the Holy Spirit reveals them to each one
personally. To one it is, 'Do this', to another 'Do that'; 'Give up
this', or 'Give up that'; 'Trust Me for this', 'Trust Me for that'. But
all who cast themselves fully into God's hands, letting Him have His
own way with them, shall find the truth of Jeremiah's message, 'Ye
shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your
heart'.
V
The Doctrine Adorned
'_But shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of
God our Saviour in all things._' (Titus ii. 10.)
Those of us who are specially interested in this great work often seek
for plans by which the knowledge and enjoyment of a Full Salvation may
be extended. I think I have found a good plan for helping the Kingdom
forward, and I see it in this little sentence which Paul wrote to
Titus: 'That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things'.
When I say that is a plan for spreading Salvation, I mean simply this:
as there is nothing which commends an apple-tree so much as the sight
of the ripened fruit hanging from the branches, so nothing sets people
longing for Holiness like the living exhibition of it.
First of all, I want you to see the force of that little word 'adorn'.
In speaking about adornment we usually mean something more than
necessary dress. The word in our minds usually expresses the idea of
clothing or covering, with the addition of decorations or ornaments.
If you fathers and mothers ask your boy or girl the meaning of the
word, they will probably turn to the dictionary, and tell you something
like this: 'To "adorn" is to set off to advantage, to add to the
attractiveness, to beautify, to decorate as with ornaments'. Now that
is exactly what the Apostle meant, and the application is that you and
I must set off to advantage, add to the attractiveness of the Gospel
which we profess to believe.
Jesus Christ meant that when He said, 'Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works'--and be so influenced that they
shall 'glorify your Father which is in Heaven'. That also was the idea
in Paul's mind in that verse to the Philippians, 'Shine as lights', or
luminaries, 'in the world'.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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