1. The way of Holiness is a _pathway of the purified_. The prophet
intimates plainly that nothing unclean can pass that way. The hearts of
men and women who are to walk there must be washed from their moral
defilements. I heard of a good man who said, 'Many years ago the Lord
took me out of the mire; some years after, He took the mire out of me'.
I think you quite understand his meaning. Sin is a foul, slimy, miry
thing, defiling whoever it touches. This must be purged away if you are
to walk in the way of Holiness; and it can only be purged by the 'Blood
of Jesus Christ which cleanseth us from all sin'.
2. The way of Holiness is _a pathway of light and learning_. It is a
way of advancing knowledge. There is a point where the path commences,
when one knows for the first time that the Blood cleanses, and the Holy
Spirit sheds abroad the love of God in the heart; but each succeeding
step brings fuller light, and things unknown are revealed.
Familiar intercourse with God brings deeper realizations and knowledge
of Divine and spiritual things, so that yours does indeed become the
path of the just 'which shineth more and more unto the perfect day'. As
a result, your own heart is enlarged, your spiritual capacities
increased, and, growing in grace, you advance in knowledge and favour
with God. Those who walk this pathway are they to whom the Lord
whispers His secrets, and whose souls He fills with heavenly delights.
Oh, that we could induce you to step up from the lower to this higher
and better pathway!
Let me give you a note from the personal experience of another of God's
saints who walked the higher way, one who habitually lived on that
level, and who expressed himself thus: 'Let me say that my spiritual
life is no longer like a leaky suction pump, half the time dry, and
affording scanty water only by desperate tugging of the handle, but it
is like an artesian well of water springing up unto everlasting life.
The Scriptures are sweeter than honey. Prayer and praise are a delight,
and it is like Paradise regained; the glory of Christ has become the
all-absorbing passion of my soul.'
The sanctified life is not only a lengthening of the spiritual
experience, but a growth or advance in the knowledge of Divine
realities.
3. Then, further, the way of Holiness is _a path of duty_, not a
pathway of ease and indulgence. We can never leave this practical
thought out, whatever our topic may be, for Holiness and hard work are
inseparable. The eyes being open to see the need, the hand is ever
ready to take up its task; and the labour of love being the sweetest of
all occupations, work for God and souls becomes a delight.
He who is too holy to work for others will soon step to the lower path.
The willing soul will ever be crying, 'Lord, what wilt Thou have me to
do?' and the answer will come, 'Do this, do that, come here, go there'.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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