LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON,
OKLAHOMA
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SANCTIFICATION AND REVIVALS God’s method for saving the world is by and
through the sanctification of His people. Jesus prayed “Sanctify them,”
“that they all may be one,” “that the world may believe.” (John
17:17–21.) According to this prayer, sanctification is essential to that
glorious unity of His people, which is imperative, and the condition for saving
the world. Hence, he who opposes or is indifferent to the subject of
sanctification virtually is in opposition to the divine method for saving the
world. This will explain why preachers antagonistic to sanctification as a
distinct experience, do not see many sinners converted. By seventeen years of continuous experience as
an evangelist, laboring in many states, and among more than a score of
denominations, thus having tested this matter under all conditions and
circumstances, I have demonstrated that wherever believers are sanctified
wholly, sinners will be converted. Never have I known this to fail. The sure way
and short cut to sparking a revival is to have believers sanctified. Mr. Wesley wrote: “Indeed, this I always
observe, wherever a work of sanctification breaks out, the whole work of God
prospers. Some are convinced of sin, others justified, and all stirred up to
greater earnestness for salvation.” (Journal, Aug., 1775.) Again, in writing to Rev. John Baxendale, in
1775, he said: “Indeed, His work will flourish in every place where full
sanctification is clearly and strongly preached.” (Works, Vol. 6, p.172), and
again in Vol. 6, p. 721, Mr. Wesley said: “Where Christian perfection is not
strongly and explicitly preached there is seldom any remarkable blessing from
God; and consequently little addition to the society, and little life in the
members of it . . . Till you press the believers to expect full salvation now,
you must not look for any revival.” The sanctification of one hundred and twenty
believers by the baptism with the Holy Ghost in the Upper Room on the Day of
Pentecost, instantly precipitated a revival such as the world had never
witnessed, and resulted in the conversion of “about three thousand souls”
the first day. Speaking to the disciples concerning this “second
blessing,”—the gift of the Holy Ghost, Jesus said, “If I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And
when He is come (unto you, who are already converted) He will reprove the world
of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment.” Men are constantly praying for the Holy Ghost
that they might use Him, but what is needed, is that believers so utterly devote
and abandon themselves to Him, that He may purify and cleanse them from all sin,
and then infill and use them. The sanctification of one believer often means the
salvation of many souls. To any pastor desiring a revival, we would like
to offer the following instructions, and will unhesitatingly guarantee that
where these instructions are followed out, a revival will take place. “To the pastor, If clearly justified, seek
definitely until you obtain the distinct experience of entire sanctification;
then bear public testimony to the same, without equivocation, and then preach
definitely on the subject of entire sanctification until at least six members of
the congregation seek and obtain a definite experience of sanctification, and
the revival, resulting in the conversion of sinners is assured. It has been
tried many times and never known to fail. “And the heathen shall know that I
am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their
eyes.”
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