ning prominence in the religious world, carries
with it a spirit of self-exaltation, and a disregard for the law of God,
that mark it as foreign to the religion of the Bible. Its advocates teach
that sanctification is an instantaneous work, by which, through faith
alone, they attain to perfect holiness. "Only believe," say they, "and the
blessing is yours." No further effort on the part of the receiver is
supposed to be required. At the same time they deny the authority of the
law of God, urging that they are released from obligation to keep the
commandments. But is it possible for men to be holy, in accord with the
will and character of God, without coming into harmony with the principles
which are an expression of His nature and will, and which show what is
well pleasing to Him?

The desire for an easy religion, that requires no striving, no
self-denial, no divorce from the follies of the world, has made the
doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine; but what saith the
word of God? Says the apostle James: "What doth it profit, my brethren,
though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...
Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not
Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son
upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works
was faith made perfect?... Ye see then how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only."(809)

The testimony of the word of God is against this ensnaring doctrine of
faith without works. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven
without complying with the conditions upon which mercy is to be granted,
it is presumption; for genuine faith has its foundation in the promises
and provisions of the Scriptures.

Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy
while wilfully violating one of God's requirements. The commission of a
known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the
soul from God. "Sin is the transgression of the law." And "whosoever
sinneth [transgresseth the law] hath not seen Him, neither known
Him."(810) Though John in his epistles dwells so fully upon love, yet he
does not hesitate to reveal the true character of that class who claim to
be sanctified while living in transgression of the law of God. "He that
saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him. But whoso k