Amanda Smith - Black History Month

In honor of black history month I wanted to share the testimony of Ms. Amanda Smith the great holiness preacher, and missionary. This is taken from her autobiography. You can read it for free here.

I always got up as early on Sunday mornings as on other mornings. I got my breakfast and
cleaned up my house, and at nine o'clock my little Mazie went to Sunday School. While she was
gone I would cook all my dinner and get everything ready. I did not have time to cook much through the week, as I had often to dry my clothes in the house and I could not have the smell of cooking, so Sunday was the only day I would have a real good dinner, but I never stayed home from church to cook -- so I gave my baby his bath and laid him in his cradle, then I got down on my
knees and prayed the Lord to keep Will asleep till I went to Green Street Church, and to keep James in a good humor so he would not scold me, for I hated to be scolded, in the worst way. James was peculiar. If he came and I happened to be out, even though I went to carry clothes, he would be vexed. So after Mazie came I said, "Now you read your library book and be a good girl, I am going to Green Street Church this morning; it lets out before our church does, so I will be home in time. You can tell your pa, if he comes before I get back. If Will cries, don't take him up; just rock him."
She was a good strong girl, thirteen years old, quite able to take care of him and could
manage him quite as well as I could, so I went and left them. On my way to Green street, it seemed
the Devil overtook me. Just as I turned in Carmine street, I felt a Satanic influence walking by my
side and whispering, "Now, you know, if James comes home and finds you are out, you know what
you will catch; you had better go to Bedford Street and hear John Cookman."
"Well, I will."
So when I got to the corner and was just going to turn down Bleecker street, a voice said,
"No, go on." I went on. After I had gone about half a block Satan whispered again, " You are
seeking sanctification?"
"Yes.""Well, if James comes home and you are out, he will be very angry, and that will be a sin
and you should not make anybody sin."
No," I said, "I will not do it."
Then Satan said, "You had better go and hear that Presbyterian minister on the corner of
Houston and Prince streets." I had heard how kind they were to colored people and I had promised
several times I would go and hear this minister; the Devil had found that out some way; I can't tell
how he knew it, but he did." You had better go and hear him; then, it is nearer home, three blocks
nearer, and you can get home quick."
"Yes," I said, "that is so."
When I got to the corner, as I was about to turn down, with a gentle pull a sweet voice
whispered, "No, no, go on."
"Lord, help me!"
Oh, how will I ever praise God enough for His tender love and faithfulness to me in that
awful hour. He gave power to my fainting spirit, and when I had no might, He increased strength.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
I went on a little further and by and by the enemy seemed to approach me again fiercely. He
said, "Now, you are the biggest fool that ever was. You think you are going to hear John Inskip; he
is not there, he is at the Five Points."
"O, if I thought Brother Inskip was not there, I would not go. I would go back."
I went on. When I reached the steps I shall never forget the thrill of joy that ran through my
heart when I heard Brother Inskip pray. With what strength I had left I said, "Thank God, he is here
and not at the Five Points." I seemed to feel the Satanic presence sweep by me and say, "O, she has
found it out." Old Satan knew I had caught him in one of his biggest lies. I went into the church and
sat down about three seats from the door. I had been to that church but once before and that was
Brother Inskip's first Sunday while I lived in York street I was very sick and could not walk away
up to Sullivan Street Bethel Church where I belonged, so I went in there that Sunday.
I sat in the gallery. The people were so kind; one brother handed me a book and asked me
to come again. I thank God for that spirit that was in Green street those days, even to colored
people. The Sunday I got the blessing I did not sit upstairs, but O, how tired I was when I got into
the church. I leaned my head forward and prayed God to give me strength. When Brother Inskip
had finished his prayer he rose and made his announcements; the last hymn was sung, then came the
text:-- Ephesians, 4th Chapter 24th Verse,--" And that ye put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness." He said, "In preaching from this text this morning the
brethren will observe I shall have to make some reference to a sermon that I preached a few
Sabbaths ago on sanctification."I was struck, for I had never heard a minister say that word in commencing his sermon
before, and I said, "O, I have missed my chance; two Sabbaths ago I had such a drawing to come
here -- and I did not do it; O, Lord, I have disobeyed that spirit and I am so sorry; do forgive me
and help me, I pray Thee."
O, how I wept, for I had lost my chance and I am so hungry for the blessing, but, "Lord
forgive me and help me to listen now."
I raised my head and fixed my eyes and thoughts on the speaker and got so interested it
seemed he was preaching right to me, and I took every word. By and by I heard my baby scream
out,--I heard him scream as distinctly as ever I heard a child scream. "You told Mazie not to take
that child up, but she has done it and let him fall," Satan suggested.
For a moment the actual thing did occur, and it was before my eyes. My heart stood still
and a voice said, "Trust the Lord."
"I will," I said, and fixed my mind again and listened, and as dear Brother Inskip warmed
up and I was feasting, my baby screamed out again. I jumped, and it seemed that all the people in
the church heard; it was so plain.
"There," the Devil says, "James has come home and Mazie has not done as you told her,
and you will catch it when you get home."
O, I felt if I had wing I would fly. I wanted to scream out. A sweet voice said, "You said
you would trust the Lord."
"So I did," I said, so I sat back and was listening and drinking in and thought all was well
now. Again I heard my baby scream.
"There," said the Devil, "Mazie has let him fall and broken his back," and I got up and
walked to the end of the pew.
"It is no use," I said, "I shall be tormented here: I will go home." And it was as though a
person stood before me and said, "Didn't you say that you would trust the Lord with that child?"
"Yes," I said, "and I will trust the Lord, even if he is dead;" and I sat down. Just as I sat
down Brother Inskip said: "There are a great many persons who are troubled about the blessing of
sanctification; how they can keep it if they get it."
"Oh!" I said, "he means me, for that is just what I have said. With my trials and peculiar
temperament and all that I have to contend with, if I could get the blessing how could I keep it?
Now, some one has told him, for he is looking right at me and I know he means me." And I tried to
hide behind the post, and he seemed to look around there. Then I said, "Well, he means me, and I
will just take what he says." He used this illustration: "When you work hard all day and are very
tired, -- "Yes," I said, and in a moment my mind went through my washing and ironing all night, --
"When you go to bed at night you don't fix any way for yourself to breathe," -- "No," I said, "Inever think about it," -- "You go to bed, you breathe all night, you have nothing to do with your
breathing, you awake in the morning, you had nothing to do with it."
"Yes, yes, I see it."
He continued: "You don't need to fix any way for God to live in you; get God in you in all
His fullness and He will live Himself.
"Oh!" I said, "I see it." And somehow I seemed to sink down out of sight of myself, and
then rise; it was all in a moment. I seemed to go two ways at once, down and up. Just then such a
wave came over me, and such a welling up in my heart, and these words rang through me like a
bell: "God in you, God in you," and I thought doing what? Ruling every ambition and desire, and
bringing every thought unto captivity and obedience to His will. How I have lived through it I
cannot tell, but the blessedness of the love and the peace and power I can never describe. O, what
glory filled my soul! The great vacuum in my soul began to fill up; it was like a pleasant draught of
cool water and I felt it. I wanted to shout Glory to Jesus! but Satan said, "Now, if you make a noise
they will put you out."
I was the only colored person there and I had a very keen sense of propriety; I had been
taught so, and Satan knew it. I wonder how he ever did know all these little points in me, but in
spite of all my Jesus came out best. As we colored folks used to sing in the gone-by years:

"Jesus is a mighty captain,
Jesus is a mighty captain,
Jesus is a mighty captain,
Soldier of the cross."

"Jesus never lost a battle,
Jesus never lost a battle,
Jesus never lost a battle,
Soldier of the cross."

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen.

I did not shout, and by-and-by Brother Inskip came to another illustration. He said,
speaking on faith: "Now, this blessing of purity like pardon is received by faith, and if by faith why
not now?"
"Yes," I said.
"It is instantaneous," he continued. "To illustrate, how long is a dark room dark when you
take a lighted lamp into it?"
"O," I said "I see it!" And again a great wave of glory swept over my soul -- another
cooling draught of water -- I seemed to swallow it, and then the welling up at my heart seemed to
come still a little fuller. Praise the Lord forever, for that day!Speaking of God's power, he went on still with another illustration. He said: "If God in the
twinkling of an eye can change these vile bodies of ours and make them look like his own most
glorious body, how long will it take God to sanctify a soul?"
"God can do it," I said, "in the twinkling of an eye," and as quick as the spark from smitten
steel I felt the touch of God from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and the welling up
came, and I felt I must shout: but Satan still resisted me like he did Joshua. But the Captain of the
Lord's host stood close by and said, "Take off the filthy garments from him," and Satan was mad.
Again I yielded to the tempter and did not shout. Then I felt the Spirit leave me. I knew He
had gone, and I said: "O, Holy Ghost, if Thou wilt only return I will confess Thee. -- "I am so glad
God put the word confession in my mouth. I thought I would get ready, so when the Spirit came
again I would shout; but before I knew it just as though someone threw a basin of water in my face,
a great wave came and just as I went to say, "Glory to Jesus!" the Devil said, "Look, look at the
white people, mind, they will put you out," and I put my hands up to my mouth and held still, and
again I felt the Spirit leave me and pass away.
Then Satan said: "Now, you have lied to the Holy Ghost, for you said if the Holy Ghost
returned you would confess Him, and He did return and you didn't confess, and you have lied to the
Holy Ghost."
O, shall I ever forget the horror of that hour. I thought I had committed an unpardonable sin,
so was doomed forever. All hope was gone, and a horror of darkness swept upon my spirit. For
about five minutes it seemed to me I was in hell, but somehow, I don't know how, I said, "Well, I
know the Lord has sanctified my soul" -- I felt so sure of it -- "and I will go home to my church and
give the witness."
Just then Satan says: "They will not believe you because you did not get the blessing there."
Then I knew there was a little jealousy and prejudice among some, so I said: "Well, no
matter, I know the Lord has sanctified my soul, anyhow." And I went to get up to go out, but could
not stand on my feet. O, I was so weak. My head seemed a river of waters and my eyes a fountain
of tears. I put my hand in my pocket to get my handkerchief, but I could not get it out. Just then they
arose to sing the closing hymn, that blessed hymn, "My latest sun is sinking fast." I tried to get up,
but could not; then the Devil says, "No one knows you here, and they will think you are drunk."
"Lord, what shall I do," and a voice seemed to whisper in my left ear, for Satan stood at my
right, and would whisper his suggestions: "Pray for strength to stand up." I took hold of the pew in
front of me and trembling from head to foot I stood up, but held on to the pew. Just as I got fairly on
my feet they struck the last verse of the hymn,
"Oh, bear my longing heart to Him,
Who bled and died for me.
Whose blood now cleanseth from all in,
And give me victory."And when they sang these words, "Whose blood now cleanseth," O what a wave of glory
swept over my soul! I shouted glory to Jesus. Brother Inskip answered, "Amen, Glory to God." O,
what a triumph for our King Emmanuel. I don't know just how I looked, but I felt so wonderfully
strange. yet I felt glorious. One of the good official brethren at the door said, as I was passing out,
"Well, auntie, how did you like that sermon?" but I could not speak; if I had, I should have shouted,
but I simply nodded my head. Just as I put my foot on the top step I seemed to feel a hand, the touch
of which I cannot describe. It seemed to press me gently on the top of my head, and I felt something
part and roll down and cover me like a great cloak! I felt it distinctly; it was done 'in a moment,
and O what a mighty peace and power took possession of me!
I started up Green street. The streets were full of people coming from the different churches
in all directions. Just ahead of me were three of the leading sisters in our church. I would sooner
have met anybody else than them. I was afraid of them. Well, I don't know why, but they were
rather the ones who made you feel that wisdom dwelt with them. They were old leading sisters,
and I have found that the colored churches were not the only ones that have these leading
consequential sisters in them. Well, as I drew near, I saw them say something to each other, and
they looked very dignified. Now, the Devil was not so close to me as before he seemed to be quite
behind me, but he shouted after me, "You will not tell them you are sanctified."
"No," I said, "I will say nothing to them," but when I got up to them I seemed to have
special power in my right arm and I was swinging it around, like the boys do sometimes! I don't
know why, but O I felt mighty, as I came near those sisters. They said, "Well, Smith, where have
you been this morning?"
"The Lord," I said, "has sanctified my soul." And they were speechless! I said no more, but
passed on, swinging my arm! I suppose the people thought I was wild, and I was, for God had set
me on fire! "O," I thought, "if there was a platform around the world I would be willing to get on it
and walk and tell everybody of this sanctifying power of God!"
"Of victory now o'er Satan's power,
Let all the ransomed sing,
And triumph in the dying hour
Through Christ the Lord our King."
"Oh! it was love,
'Twas wondrous love,
The love of God to me,
That brought my Saviour from above,
To die on Calvary."
Somehow I always had a fear of white people -- that is, I was not afraid of them in the
sense of doing me harm, or anything of that kind -- but a kind of fear because they were white, and
were there, and I was black and was here! But that morning on Green street, as I stood on my feet
trembling, I heard these words distinctly. They seemed to come from the northeast corner of the
church, slowly, but clearly: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there isneither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28.) I never understood
that text before. But now the Holy Ghost had made it clear to me. And as I looked at white people
that I had always seemed to be afraid of, now they looked so small. The great mountain had
become a molehill. "Wherefore, if the Son shall make you free, then are you free, indeed." All
praise to my victorious Christ!
"He delivered me when bound,
And when wounded, healed my wound.
Sought me wandering, set me right,
Turned my darkness into light."
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
When I got home I opened the door; the baby was still asleep. I said: "Mazie, has Mr.
Smith come?"
"No."
"Has Will slept all right?"
"Yes, he has not wakened up at all."
"Well, the Lord has sanctified my soul this morning," and she said, "Has He? mother?"
"Yes," I said, "and I want to go around and tell Auntie Scott." She was my good band
sister. She lived in Clinton court, off Eighth street. When I got to the door, I knocked and opened at
the same time. Brother Scott was lying on the sofa; he was assistant class leader to Brother Henry
De Schield's, who was my leader. He believed in the doctrine of holiness, but had not the
experience at that time, but, thank God, he believed in it and said nothing against it, so that was in
my favor. Brother Scott was "on the fence," sometimes he would seem to believe in it and talk as
though he had it, at another time he would oppose it bitterly, so you never knew just when he
would turn on you. When I went in that morning, I said: "Pop Scott, the Lord has sanctified my soul
this morning."
He raised himself up, and said: "Did -- did He?" (He stammered a little.) I did not wait for
any more, I began to sing an old hymn that I had often heard sung in our love feasts and class
meetings in the gone-by days, which seemed to be the real song of my soul. I had never felt such
soul union with Jesus before in my life; so I sang:
"I am married to Jesus
For more than one year,
I am married to Jesus
For during the war."
The old man looked at me and smiled and got ready for an argument. The children all
looked astonished. Sister Scott had not come in from church. When I had finished the verse, I said,"Good morning," and as I opened the door to go out, Sister Scott was just coming in. I said; "Oh,
Scott! the Lord has sanctified my soul this morning."
I thought she would be so glad for she told me that years before in Canada, she had got the
blessing through Mrs. Dr. Palmer. She never spoke of it definitely and clearly, so I never
understood anything about it, but to my great surprise she very coolly said, "Well I hope you will
keep it," and passed right in by me, and said not another word. I went out. Oh, what a shock!
"There," the Devil says, "She don't believe you have got the blessing."
"O Lord," I said, "Can it be that I am mistaken and will I have to, go back and go all over
the ground. I would rather die right here in my tracks."
As I was turning out of Eighth street in Sixth avenue, I cried out, "O Lord, help me, and if
this blessing is not sanctification, then what is it?" And the Lord did help me. Quick these words
came with power to my heart: "It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth."
"Believeth," seemed to be so powerfully emphasized, and I said, "Lord, I do believe that Thou hast
sanctified my soul," and the power of God came upon me so that my knees gave way under me and
I dropped as though I were shot, right on Sixth avenue. The people were passing and looked at me
and said nothing. I suppose they thought I was a little gone in the head, but God had turned my
captivity and my mouth was filled with laughter. I scrambled up as best I could, for I did not fall
prostrate, my knees gave way and I dropped on my hands, and every time I said the word which the
Lord put in my mouth: "It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth," another
wave of power came upon me. Down I went again, and so three times, before I got home, I fell
under the mighty power of God. Hallelujah! It is today the same, The power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth," and I do believe God, and He has kept me saved magnificently.
Hallelujah! There is a big triumph in my soul. I don't know where the Devil went, but I heard no
more of him for a week, then he called on me and said, "When people get sanctified, everything
gets better around them."
"Yes," said I.
"Well, you see James is not any better, if anything he is worse."
That was true, if possible, and I said I did think so too, and didn't understand it, for I
thought he would be glad to know that I had got more religion.
"Then," said he, "You have no witness that you are sanctified."
"Well," I said, "I will have it, God helping me, right now."
It was Friday. I was ironing; I set down my iron and went and told Jesus. I said; "Lord, I
believe Thou hast sanctified my soul, but Satan says I have no witness. Now, Lord. I don't know
what to ask as a direct witness to this blessing, but give me something that shall be so clear and
distinct that the Devil will never attack me again on that point while I live."After a short prayer I waited a moment in silence, and said, "Now, Lord, I wait till Thou
shalt speak to me Thyself," and a moment passed and these words came: "Ask for the conversion
of Miss Chapel."
I said, "Lord, for a real evidence that Thou hast sanctified my soul, I ask that Thou will
convert Miss Chapel between now and Sunday morning."
In a moment these words were flashed through my soul: "If thou canst believe all things that
are possible to him that believeth." And I said, "Lord, I believe Thou will do it," and a flood of
light and joy filled me. Oh, I praise the Lord. I arose from my knees praising God. I went to
ironing; after a little while, Satan came again.
"You ought to go and see if the woman is converted before you are so sure."
"Well, yes, I would like to go, but then it is two miles away, and I am afraid Will might
wake up and cry."
But the enemy urged me, "You had better not be too sure, you ought to go and see," and I
was sorely tempted. I lifted my heart to God in prayer and said, "Lord help me, I believe that Thou
wilt do it, and I will trust Thee." Then there came a still hush and quiet all over me and I went on
ironing and singing. Praise the Lord!
Miss Chapel, referred to, was a very nice young woman, though not a Christian. She was a
very upright, moral person. She was taken ill, and her sister, a very earnest Christian, was very
anxious about her state, and asked me and others to come and pray with her. One day I went, and
met Mother Jones and several others. We sang and prayed with her and left her. And now a week
had passed and I had not heard from her, and I had thought that was why the enemy attacked me so
fiercely on Friday. Sunday morning came and I had persisted in believing and praising God,
according to His word: "If thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth." I went
to church, and as I sat in my pew after the sermon was over, and the collection was being taken up,
Sister Jones, who sat in the opposite pew, got up and came over to me, and said "Smith, Chapel
has got the blessing." I said, "Praise the Lord, when did she get it?" She said, "Yesterday
afternoon." Then these words were spoken to my heart in power: "Now that is your evidence," and
I said, "O Lord, I do thank Thee, Thou hast answered my prayer and given me this distinct witness
that Thou hast sanctified my soul."
Many times since then my faith has been tried sorely, and I have had much to contend with,
and the fiery darts of Satan at times have been sore, but he has never, from that day, had the
impudence to tell me that God had not done this blessed work. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Everybody does not have direct witness to their sanctification nor to their justification in
that way, but it is their privilege to have the clear, distinct witness of the Spirit to both justification
and sanctification, and, as a rule, persons who do not get this distinct witness are unsettled in their
Christian life, often waver and falter, and are more easily turned aside to new isms and doctrines
but, thank God, He has kept me in perfect peace while my mind has been stayed on Him and I have
trusted in Him. Praise His name forever!Source: Amanda Smith's Autobiography
* * * * * * *

Just Grow Up!

Leonard Ravenhill

Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?"

The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."

A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time, and as I Timothy 3:6 and 5:22 point out, even spiritual leadership must be earned.

Amy Carmichael once said, “Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills little denials of self little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what thy are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.

 The word “walk” is used 7 times in the book of Ephesians.
This is a strong indication that spiritual maturity is a walk, a journey and a calling.

“Only the Holy Spirit, working through the Word, has the power to bring us to maturity in Christ. “Spiritual maturity is simply concentrating and focusing on the person of God until we are caught up in His majesty and His glory.…– John MacArthur

Eph. 4:1-16 tells us that growing up is a high calling. We call this growing up maturity.  What is maturity? J. A. Wood said in his book, Purity and Maturity "What is produced by growth is of necessity, gradual, what is by faith and the Holy Ghost is of necessity instantaneous. God never accomplished that by cleansing power which is to be secured by growth in grace. On the other hand, growth in grace cannot effect that which is the work of the creating, cleansing energy of the Almighty Spirit. The one is a supernatural, instantaneous work; the other a gradual, natural work….No one is BORN INTO MATURITY, and no one GROWS INTO PURITY.    

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how high you jump in church, but how straight you walk in obedience.

A mature Christian has developed spiritual perception. They are able to connect present choices with future consequences.

 Clint Archer pastor of Hilcrest Baptist Church and author of the blog “Criplegate” gives these five signs of Spiritual Maturity

1. An appetite for meat Heb 5:11 (An infant’s meal needs to go through a blender for the first few months of his or her life. When a normal 21 year old still asks mommy to spoon feed him mashed potatoes, it’s creepy and dysfunctional.
2. An Imperviousness to personal offence Phil 1:15
3.  A Conscience informed by Scripture, not opinions
4. A Sense of humble surprise when used by God in Ministry
5. Tendency to give credit for Spiritual Growth to God, not people.

While it is a high calling it is also a lowly calling. We are called to be humble loving Christians. We are called to a unity of the Body of Christ. Part of growing up will include these four graces of unity found in Col 3:12;

1. Lowliness - The opposite of pride, "A thankful sense of dependence upon and a humble recognition of the worth and value of other people." Beacon Bible Expositions
2. Meekness - More than modesty and knowing one's limitations one theologian worded it, "that unresisting, uncomplaining disposition of mind, which enables one to bear without irritation or resentment the faults and injuries of others.
3. Longsuffering - The enduring unweariable spirit.
4. Forbearing in Love - a twin to longsuffering. Forbearing in love is a patience that loves and respects despite another's faults and weaknesses.
   
   

No Such Thing As Sinless Perfection

The book of Romans is a very interesting book. It covers nearly the whole gamut of Christian doctrine and theology. In fact I use a basic three point outline to divide the book easily, it can then of course be subdivided and studied in a deeper measure. The three main points of the book of Romans are;

1.      God’s Penalty and salvation of sins – Justification – Romans 1-5

2.      God’s Power and freedom from Sin – Sanctification – Romans 6-8

3.      God’s Continued Presence and Perfection – Glorification – Romans 9-16

It seems that once you get into that second part you find some startling discoveries and what seem like theological contradictions. The one that stands out to me is the difference between Biblical Perfection and Absolute Perfection. What is Paul talking about?  Lets first of all look at some interesting things in this brief survey of Romans 6

 

V1 – Not continuing in sin;
V2 – Not living in sin;
V4 – Walking in newness of life:
V6 – Not serving sin (Being a slave to it)
V10-11 – Living unto God;
V12 – Not letting sin rule over us;
V13 – Serving God with our bodily members;
V14 – Not being under the dominion of sin;
V19-22 – Holiness

Here are three conclusions I want to draw from this survey.

1.       There is no such thing as “SINLESS PERFECTION.” Period

a.       All have sinned – the only one exempt from this is Christ. I think about Sister Goins, precious lady that she was, had to be born again even at the age of three.  Even John the Baptist had to be sanctified, even if it was in his mother’s womb.

b.      Everyone has sinned. There is no one absolutely no one but Christ who has had or ever will have their own righteousness.

c.       Even when one is born again and sanctified there is the possibility of once again falling into sin. And even then there are those things that we like to call faults that others call sin. We need to be wary of those things as well.

John Wesley in his little book – A Plain Account of Christian Perfection states very clearly, “sinless perfection is a phrase I never use, lest I should seem to contradict myself.”

2.       There is such a thing as “BEING DEAD TO SIN.”

a.       Otherwise God would not have put it in His precious word.

b.      Romans 6:6 – Crucified With Christ –

                                                               i.      There is debate and battle over that little word before crucified. I noticed a split down theological lines that most Calvinist or those who lean in that direction like to change that word (and there is some Greek language rules that can apply) ‘is’ to ‘was’ Most of those who are of the Arminian persuasion like the word, (and there is ample Greek language rules to allow), ‘IS’

1.       Here is how I have come to solve the dilemma and I toiled with this for some time one night and finally today I feel like the Lord gave me the answer.

                                                             ii.      There are two theological terms that apply to the atonement of Christ –

1.       His “Provisional” death

a.       This is that Christ has provisionally atoned for every single person in the world.

2.       And then what I call “Operational” Death

a.       There is a point in a persons life that they will come face to face with their sins. They will do one of two things – Cover it soothe their conscience reject Christ and go on or Repent confess it and accept Christ and start anew.

                                                                                                                                       i.      Christ died for both of these, they are both atoned for, however only one took advantage of the provisional sacrifice that is offered.

                                                            iii.      Getting back to my point – There is a provisional crucifixion of our sin with Christ but it is only when we “Reckon ourselves dead…” that we receive the benefits of that provisional work on the cross.

 

Since there is no such thing as “Sinless Perfection,” But there is such as thing as “BEING DEAD TO SIN” then there must also be such a thing as “CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.”

3.      There is such a thing as “Christian Perfection”

a.       Hence it appears that, by Christian perfection, we mean nothing but the cluster and maturity of the graces which compose the Christian character in the church militant. In other words, Christian perfection is a spiritual constellation made up of these gracious stars, -- perfect repentance, perfect faith, perfect humility, perfect meekness, perfect self-denial, perfect resignation, perfect hope, perfect charity for our visible enemies, as well as for our earthly relations; and, above all, perfect love for our invisible God, through the explicit knowledge of our Mediator Jesus Christ. And as this last star is always accompanied by all the others, as Jupiter is by his satellites, we frequently use, as St. John, the phrase "perfect  love," instead of the word "perfection;" and understanding by it the pure love of God, shed abroad in the heart of established believers by the Holy Ghost, which is abundantly given them under the fullness of the Christian dispensation. John Fletcher – Fletcher on Perfection

 

b. I tend not to use the term "Christian Perfection" simply for the reason that it sometimes brings doubt and confusion to people. But I do like the Biblical words, "Holiness," and "Sanctification," and "Righteousness."

 

C. Not only is there such a thing as "Christian Perfection" or "Entire Sanctification" but it is required of every single living person to have before they stand before God. Here is a list of verses you can study for yourself as to it's requirement.

 

•        2 Timothy 2:21
•         1 Thessalonians 4:3
•         Hebrews 12:14

There are many many more, should you be interested in learning more of this doctrine you can email me or check out Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection.

 

The Early Church Was Absolutely, Unequivocally Trinitarian

First of all I would like to say that I am not interested in arguments. I am interested in the purity and the authenticity of the Bible. David was not afraid of fighting Goliath when he defied the army of the Living God, and I am not afraid of those who are out to pervert or change the meaning of what the Bible, the inerrant Word of God says.

David was a shepherd boy, had no business being on the front lines of war, I am a poor uneducated holiness preacher and have no business taking on theological giants, but feel that I must stand up for the Word of God and what it says.

Why does the doctrine of the Trinity matter? Isn't that non-essential theological banter? Let me answer that with a resounding NO!!! It is very important that we understand who God is, what God is like, and to the best of our understanding how God operates. We have a very revealing picture in the Word of God of all three of these things.

First of all there is symbolism now I don't want to dwell on this because, symbolism can be misunderstood and twisted to fit whatever opinion you would like, but there are a few important instances in the Word of God we need to look at.

1. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God... the name used for God in this verse is Elohim and is in the plural tense. Not more than one God but more than one individual
2. Genesis 1 God speaks, The Holy Spirit moves upon the face of the deep, and Christ is there as well
3. Genesis 1:26 Let us make man... let who? Us God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
4. In every prayer that Jesus prayed, He prayed to His "Father."
5. When Jesus was baptised by John in the river Jordan  Jesus was in the water, God the Father spoke from heaven, "This is my beloved SON!!!" The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove.

On and on I could go with symbols but that is not what is so important, what does the Word say about it?

Moses makes it very clear in the Law given by God that "the LORD our God is one LORD."

We must make no mistake, there is only ONE GOD, however He displays Himself in three different distinct personalities. These personalities have been named by God's Word as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost (Spirit). These are not three gods but One God in three. I like to use math to help me understand it. I am not adding 1+1+1 to equal three but rather 1x1x1 = 1. They work together in a unity, and coexistence that is really unimaginable and incomprehensible by us.

1. John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
   
   From the beginning we have the Word - The Word was God but we read on and find the Word was WITH GOD. The same was in the beginning WITH God.
   
   I am not the brightest snowflake out there but that tells me there are two distinct individuals that were at this event, God AND the Word. Now we know from reading through the Bible that The Word was Christ. We also know that from Genesis 1:2 that the Spirit the third part of the Trinity moved upon the face of the deep.
2. Several references in Hebrews chapter 1.
1. Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
   ³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
2. Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
3. Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
   
   Notice the questions with implied answers in verses 5 and 13 God the Father speaks to Christ in an implied answer which you can find that this took place in other instances, "Thou art my SON.... I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son..."
   Sit on my right hand... now I am not a genius but I know I can not sit on the right hand of myself. It has to be two distinct individuals. To drive this point a little further look at
1. Acts 7:56 Stephen was being persecuted for being filled with the Holy Spirit and preaching in the name of Jesus, they begin to stone him and he cries, " Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
2. On the day of Pentecost Peter preaches to the people in Acts 2:33 and he says, "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."
   
   Peter is speaking of Christ being by the right hand of God, receiving the promise of the Father, the Holy Ghost which Jesus sent down on that great day.

I feel I am belaboring the point, however I want to get across to you that, yes God is ONE but He works in Three Distinct Persons that are mentioned by name and duties in the Word of God.

The scriptures should be sufficient but I feel I must pursue this one step further and show that the Early Church Fathers understood this as well. Now we can take history and twist it to say anything we want, but I want to go back and get exact quotes from those individuals that have been left to us in their writings.

• Poly Carp (70-160 A.D.) Prayed, "O Lord God almighty... I bless you and glorify you through the eternal and heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom be glory to you, with Him and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever."
• Diognetus (Written 130 A.D.) "as a king sends his Son, who is also king, so sent he him, as God (1) he sent him; as men he sent him; as savior he sent him,…"
• The Apostles Creed or the Old Roman Creed was the first attempt at an organized creed dating from 390 a.d. says;
  "I believe in God Almighty, and in Christ Jesus, His only Son, our Lord; who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary; who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buried, and the third day rose from the dead; who ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father, whence he cometh to judge the living and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost, the holy church, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, the life everlasting."

Again I could go on and on but feel I have belaboured the point laready.  I feel that all the above evidence is enough that I can conclude confidently that The Bible, The Early Church Fathers, and The Doctrine of the Trinity are in accord. I believe in the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, Three in One and they all reside in my heart, PRAISE THE LORD.





 

The Cause For Thanksgiving

Ephesians 5 tells us to give thanks for everything all the time. It is amazing to me how easy it is for us to forget this little commandment in the Bible. One lady prayed, "Dear Jesus, please teach me to appreciate what I have before time forces me to appreciate what I had." There are many causes for thanksgiving let me just give you a few.

1. Thank God for what you have
   


2. Thank God for what you don't have
   


3. Thank God for what you have had
   


4. Thank God for what you will have

Someone has noted that it is "better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings counting your troubles.

Just a brief reminder to give thanks for everything all the time.

The Cause Of Thanksgiving

We find an interesting verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that tells us "in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God..." When we talk about giving thanks in everything, you are probably prone to say, “but you don’t know my situation.” No I may not and others may not either, but it’s not so much about thanking God for the pain, or suffering, or discouragement, or whatever it might be. It is thanking God that He is working all things out for our good. That He is taking the things that come our way in life, and using them to bring glory to His name. A thanksgiving mentality puts a different perspective on our problems, it doesn't take them away. We are not thanking him for trials and tribulations, but rather thanking Him for bringing glory to Jesus through our suffering.
The spirit of thanksgiving should be a constant daily moment by moment experience because...

1. Thanksgiving is the command of God - Therefore, all forms of ingratitude are sinful
In everything give thanks (Col. 2:7 “abounding in therein with thanksgiving” Eph. 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things…” Col 3:15 “Be ye thankful”)


Joni Eareckson Tada, who was involved in an accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down, writes, “Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it's a matter of obedience.


2. Thanksgiving is the Will of God – Not only is it commanded of us but it is God’s will that we get to the place that we can in everything give thanks.
John Macarthur put it this way, “in everything give thanks—allows believers no excuse for harboring Ingratitude. In everything carries an unlimited requirement. It refers to everything that occurs in life…. If you’re not obeying that command, you’re not following God’s will. Think of it like this: If gratitude doesn't come easy for you, neither will finding God’s will. Or to put it another way, if you struggle with being thankful, you’ll struggle with following God’s will.”

3. Thanksgiving acknowledges the Omnipotence of God. - O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good. It shows that anything we have or get in this life comes from him. This includes all talents, abilities, personality, wealth, position, power, prestige, you get the message everything comes from God.

Giving thanks to God also shows that God is greater than any impossibility, problem or circumstance we may face in this life. It is always good practice to even Thank God in advance for what you believe or are praying for Him to do.

Let me share this poem with you by Lon R. Woodrum I think it speaks volumes about giving thanks in everything.

Be Thankful – Lon R. Woodrum
If you have many foes
And they press you pretty hard;
And from their bitter blows
You’re rather hurt and scarred-
But if you still can look around
And find a single friend
Who’ll stick to you thru thick and thin
Until the very end-
Thank God for that
Thank God for that.

If your purse is pretty lean
And you find that you are stuck
In tough financial bogs
Because of old Hard Luck-
Still if your heart is beating right
And your health is all okay
And by God’s grace you’re able yet
The game of life to play-
Thank God for that!
Thank God for that!

If sickness lays a grip
Upon your fevered form
If agony is in your world
And sweeps you like a storm-
But, still, if thru the mist of pain
The Holy Ghost has come
And thru your soul His raptures roll
When pain has made you numb-
Thank God for that!
Thank God for that!

If life has not seemed kind
Here on this sphere below,
And yours has been a homeless way
Like One of long ago;
Still, if by faith you see agleam
A house that brightly stands
In God’s own world of Home, Sweet Home-
A house not made with hands-
Thank God for that!
Thank God for that!

Five Principles of Thanksgiving

Psalm 107:1 tells us to give thanks unto the Lord, or we call it thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not just something we do one a day of the year or just one month of the year but is really an attitude of gratitude, that should be practiced every day of our lives. Here are five brief principles to help us in our giving of thanks to the Lord.

1. Thanksgiving should be directed to God – If I could give you a million bucks, and did I am sure one of the first things you would say is, "Thanks you" and you would be saying that to me, the one who gave you the million bucks. So often this time of year we are hearing a lot of people say, "I am thankful for...." and that is wonderful, but the one to whom the thanks is directed is missing. The Psalmist said, Oh give thanks unto the LORD.
   


2. Thanksgiving should be freewill, volunteer, cheerfully given to God - Thanksgiving is something we should enjoy doing, not simply because it is expected of us, or thought rude not to say it.
   


3. Thanksgiving should include action (thanksgiving is a verb, not an adjective) - This is done by taken every opportunity to publicly thank the Lord for every thing that comes our way.
   


4. Thanksgiving includes fellowship - Leviticus 7 talks about the offering of thanksgiving. In it are very detailed instructions on how they were to eat this offering as well. Thanksgiving is a feast of wonderful things that often brings the body of Christ together in a greater way than anything else.
   


5. Thanksgiving Brings God’s blessing and approval. When the thanksgiving offering was done acceptably and obediently by the law given, God was very pleased. It must have touched the heart of God to see someone bring their offering to the altar without being forced to, or because they had done some terrible thing, but because they loved God, and wanted to thank Him for what he had done.
   So it is with us when we offer to God our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, God must look down in love and adoration.
   
   Helen Keller that lady who was both blind and deaf one said, “for three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of His Works; deep thanks that He has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to- a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song."
   I can’t help but think that as Helen Keller was making such a statement or as she came daily to God with these things that the Lord would stand to His feet, while the angels would stand around wiping the tears away from their eyes. What a scene it must make in heaven when God’s people give thanks.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.