But then the man claimed the experience of entire sanctification for himself.
I said something quite profound: “You've got to be kidding!”
“No,” he replied. “I'm not kidding. Holiness is never a kidding matter. God has granted me the victorious life, and I give Him all the glory.”
“What do you do with your pride?” I asked. “Seems to me that if you’ve won the medal for being the most humble man and you wear it, they should take it away. Isn't it kind of sinful to tell me that you're entirely sanctified? In fact, I think that if someone were entirely sanctified, he wouldn't even know it.”
I don't remember what he said, but I do remember that he was quite angry, and I didn't have to sit at the same table with him anymore because he avoided me the rest of the week. That made both of us happier.
I heard a couple of years later that he had left the ministry because of a moral failure.
*****************************************
A sinless life...entire sanctification...is NOT possible. Anyone who says it is is deceived. It is a lie from the pit of Hell and it smells like smoke.
no..what smells like smoke is you guys denying the very power of the holy spirit. The fact is that on Pentecost the apostles were filled with the spirit and at that very moment became powerful for the truth. They would not have had that if they had kept on back sliding into sin and that is why you weak Christians never really gain much ground. You deny the very fact of real power over sin that God has granted us!
A number of years ago, I spoke at a missions conference for religious leaders. God- who obviously thought it was funny- put me at the dinner table with one of the most uptight and angry men I’ve ever met.
Luke 18
10
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12
i fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.