by A.M. Hills (Published in the Church of the Nazarene's "Preacher's Magazine" 1926)
Sanctification is costly. It means dying out to the world, and to sin, and to self, and going out alone with Jesus, bearing His reproach. Does it pay? Is it worth while?
I. NOTICE, DEFINITELY, THE COST:
1. It means the sinking of the obstinate human will into the will of God. God “gives the Holy Spirit to them that obey Him.” “Obedience” is complete submission to the will of God about everything. The depraved heart does so like to have
its own way!
2. It costs entire consecration, the turning over of everything to the Lord- body, soul, time, talents, friends, possessions, influence, reputation, to belong to Him for ever. All good and innocent things, even the beloved son Isaac.
3. Then, by simple faith, receive the cleansing baptism with the Holy Spirit: “So wash me, Thou, without, within, Or purge with fire, if that must be, No matter how, if only sin, Die out in me, die out in me.”
II. CONSIDER WHAT IT WILL DO FOR YOU.
1. It takes away the proneness to sin, the appetite for sin from the heart.
2. It spoils you for the world. There will be no more hunger for the leeks and garlics of Egypt. No more slavery to human opinions and customs and fashions and pleasures.
3. It gives power for service. Bob Burkes, of Kentucky, when converted in middle life could not read. He was saved and sanctified and led a thousand a year to Christ until he died. As it was with Carvosso, he lived to lead sixty thousand souls to God. This is the great, silent power back of all conspicuous service in winning souls.
4. It gives power to suffer the will of God, as Paul did at Philippi and at Rome.
5. It puts a holy zeal into a man or woman. Paul was once zealous for the devil; this blessing made him equally zealous for Christ.
This is the greatest blessing this side of Heaven and it is cheap at any cost. No dying man was ever heard to say that it cost him too much to get sanctified.
About the author, from this site:
Aaron Merritt Hills (1848-1935) was an American Methodist. Raised in a Christian home, he was saved at a revival meeting at the age of eleven. After high school, he attended Oberlin College.
After college, he pastored two churches over the course of sixteen years, and then entered into evangelistic work. At some point in his life, he found that he lined up more closely with the Nazarene church, and so threw his lot in with them. After a successful time as an evangelist, he accepted the position of president at Texas Holiness University (later Peniel College).
Throughout his life, Hills wrote many great books, and contributed much to the Kingdom of God. His legacy has long survived him, and doubtless he will be remembered for generations to come.
Sanctification is costly. It means dying out to the world, and to sin, and to self, and going out alone with Jesus, bearing His reproach. Does it pay? Is it worth while?
I. NOTICE, DEFINITELY, THE COST:
1. It means the sinking of the obstinate human will into the will of God. God “gives the Holy Spirit to them that obey Him.” “Obedience” is complete submission to the will of God about everything. The depraved heart does so like to have
its own way!
2. It costs entire consecration, the turning over of everything to the Lord- body, soul, time, talents, friends, possessions, influence, reputation, to belong to Him for ever. All good and innocent things, even the beloved son Isaac.
3. Then, by simple faith, receive the cleansing baptism with the Holy Spirit: “So wash me, Thou, without, within, Or purge with fire, if that must be, No matter how, if only sin, Die out in me, die out in me.”
II. CONSIDER WHAT IT WILL DO FOR YOU.
1. It takes away the proneness to sin, the appetite for sin from the heart.
2. It spoils you for the world. There will be no more hunger for the leeks and garlics of Egypt. No more slavery to human opinions and customs and fashions and pleasures.
3. It gives power for service. Bob Burkes, of Kentucky, when converted in middle life could not read. He was saved and sanctified and led a thousand a year to Christ until he died. As it was with Carvosso, he lived to lead sixty thousand souls to God. This is the great, silent power back of all conspicuous service in winning souls.
4. It gives power to suffer the will of God, as Paul did at Philippi and at Rome.
5. It puts a holy zeal into a man or woman. Paul was once zealous for the devil; this blessing made him equally zealous for Christ.
This is the greatest blessing this side of Heaven and it is cheap at any cost. No dying man was ever heard to say that it cost him too much to get sanctified.
About the author, from this site:
Aaron Merritt Hills (1848-1935) was an American Methodist. Raised in a Christian home, he was saved at a revival meeting at the age of eleven. After high school, he attended Oberlin College.
After college, he pastored two churches over the course of sixteen years, and then entered into evangelistic work. At some point in his life, he found that he lined up more closely with the Nazarene church, and so threw his lot in with them. After a successful time as an evangelist, he accepted the position of president at Texas Holiness University (later Peniel College).
Throughout his life, Hills wrote many great books, and contributed much to the Kingdom of God. His legacy has long survived him, and doubtless he will be remembered for generations to come.
