I wanted to share some of my reading from Beverly Carradine in his book titled Sanctification. In the chapter titled How to Obtain the Blessing he shares seven helps for those seeking to be entirely sanctified. I will share those with you as well as some of my own commentary...
First, you must believe that there is such a blessing.
Lack of faith in the possibility of the Holy Spirit cleansing your heart prevents you from receiving such a blessing from Him. So many of those who never experience this work of God in their lives is squarely because they lack belief in the reality that God can do such a work in them.
Second, you must realize your need of this blessing.
Recognizing the internal conflict between the sinful nature and the desire to live for Christ is evidence enough of my own need for the work of entire sanctification. Obedience always qualified by something is not full consecration, but it surely is a symptom of the problem that God can remedy.
Third, you must desire this blessing.
Do you have a desire for God to work in such a way in your life? Do you desire for Him to reign in your life above all and for your heart to experience a cleansing that will enable you to love Him with all of your hear?
Fourth, you must seek for the blessing.
Has your desire birthed action that prompts you to seek after all that God desires to do in your life? Are you diligently studying the scriptural promises of full salvation? Are you looking up the passages that address holiness? Are you asking God for the promise? Are you asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into this truth?
Fifth, you must not be discouraged.
Do not give up if you at first do not receive this gift of God. Do not allow your lack of emotion (or even your overwhelming of emotion) to become a discouragement to you. Nurture the desire and do not let it dim. Stoke the flames that were spur you on in your seeking of entire sanctification.
Sixth, consecrate yourself entirely to God.
Make sure that you have given everything to Jesus. Root out, with the help of the Holy Spirit, anything that has not come under the lordship of Christ. Your possessions, your relationships, your reputation, your past, your future, your talents, your emotions, your desires, your plans, and all things must be given completely to God for His purposes and will to be fulfilled through you.
Seventh, you must believe that Christ makes you holy right now.
More than faith that God can do this work is necessary for you to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You must have faith that understands that when you have obediently consecrated your all to Christ, God will not hold back his promise.
God's will for every individual is that they would experience both the forgiveness of sins and the cleansing of their hearts! May you experience all God desires to do in your life as you seek after Him!
Check out these other articles:
What Sanctification is Worth
The Love of God
This is Holiness
I Sin Everyday!?
When Did Holiness Theology Shift to Calvinism?
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