"Self-righteousness is the danger of this age; it separates the soul from Christ. Those who trust in their own righteousness cannot understand how salvation comes from Christ. They call sin righteous-ness and righteousness sin. They have no appreciation of the evil of transgression, no understanding of the terror of the law; for they do not respect God's moral standard of righteousness, men have erected a standard of their own by which to measure character. They see through a glass darkly and present false ideas of sanctification to the people, thus encouraging egotism, pride, and self-righteousness. The doctrine of sanctification advocated by many is full of deception because it is flattering to the heart; but the kindest thing that can be preached to the sinner is the truth of the binding claims of the law of God. Faith and Works must go hand in hand; for faith without works is dead, being alone.
The prophet declares a truth by which we may test all doctrine. He says, 'To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' (Isaiah 8:20. Although error abounds in the world, there is no reason why men and women need to remain in deception. The truth is plain and when it is contrasted with error, its character may be discerned. All the subjects of God's grace may understand what is required of them. By faith, we may conform our lives to the standard of righteousness, because we can appropriate to ourselves the righteousness of Christ.
In the Word of God, the honest seeker for truth will find the rule for genuine sanctification. The Apostle says: 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit....For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannaot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.' (Romans 8:1-9). F&W 96 & 97
God bless every seeker of truth, and may you find the real truth, not a deceptive truth, as you study God's Word. Grandma Joan
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