Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-06-10
What the Second Work of Grace
is Not.

Sometimes it assists one better
to understand the meaning of an
expression when he first UNDER
stands what it is not. There is so
much misunderstanding on the
subject of Holiness, or Perfect
Love, OF Entire Sanctifcation, as
a Second Work of Grace, that /
will clear up your minds as to
what the Holiness movement
teaches and breaches.
(1st) 1t is not absolute perfec-
ton. This belongs to God only.
He is perfect in all His attributes,
both natural and moral. If Christ
ians could be absolutely perfect,
they would have perfect power,
perfect wisdom, etc., and their
lives would admit of no mistakes
whatever.
(2d) tits not angelic perfection.
This pertains to angels, and we
are only redeemed saints. The
angels have freedom of knowl-
edge and perfection of being un-
tainted by any fall. We have all
sinned. Romans, 5:12.
(3d) tits not Adamic perfec-
ton. This pertains to our first
parents before they sinned and
were separated from God. They
had a physical perfection which
was lost to the world after sin
entered.
(4th) 1t does not free one from
temptation. Satan is not de-
stroyed when inherited sin is cast
out. If the Devil tempted Christ,
surely he will tempt Christ's
sanctifed followers.
(5th) 1t does not free one from
the possibility of SHINING. Free
agency is not destroyed in any
degree of grace. While on pro-
baton we will have the power of
choice, and may yield to tempta-
ton and sin. But, bless God, we
are not compelled to do it.
(6th) 1t does not free one from
possibility Of falling. Angels fell
from their celestial perfection.
Adam fell from his Edenic purity.
Paul watched lest he might be-
come a cast-away. Holy people,
occasionally, all along the ages,
have fallen from grace.
(7th) 1t does not free one from
mistakes and blunders. Our mem
ory may fail us and cause serious
trouble. We may make wrong
conclusions and act accordingly,
yet have pure motives. We may
be mistaken in appearances, have
queer imaginations, conceive
wrong opinions, say the wrong
thing, or the right thing at the
wrong time, and in many ways
fail in what is best by such lack OF
mental and physical perfection as
is attached to this life. We may
!, make a thousand mistakes and yet
be Sanctified, but he cannot COM
NIT one known sin and retain the
experience. God looks at the
motive back of all our actions.
One might kill his neighbor and
yet be innocent, or save his neigh
boris life and yet be murderer.
Suppose he sees him about to be
killed by wild beast. He at
tempts to shoot the beast and
kills his neighbor or friend. God
looks at the motive and accounts
him innocent. Suppose the neigh
Dor was his enemy, he takes adj
vantage, shoots at the neighbor to
satisfy his revenge and pretends
he shot at the beast, but misses
the man and kills the beast. The
man is untouched and unframed,
the beast lays dead, but he thai
fred the shot is murderer in the
sight of God and is condemned
God looks at the motive.
I, (8th) 1t does not preclude fur
ther growth in grace. 1t gets the
hindering cause out of the way, sc
that the soul can rapidly grow ir
grace.
(9th) It is not the top round o.
the ladder beyond which it is i'm.
possible to get. 1t really prepares
the way for higher climbing ant
gives one grander view of the
glorious life of Jesus.
(10th) 1t is not new doctrine
thrown out on the world with the
false systems of these last days
1t is as old as God. He mad,
man Holy in the beginning. 1t il
starting to see how sin has blight.
ed and ruined mankind, blind o
Gods truth and commandments
1t is the oldest thing in Cod
word.
(11th) 1t is not conversion. Thi
always precedes the second worl
of grace. Without the first worl
of grace there could be no second
without conversion there could b
no Sanctifcation, or Holiness, 0
Perfect Love, or cleansing from
: sin.
(t2th) IT. is not repression. Thi
/ lcomes in conversion. If one doe