Modern Revivals
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The sanctification set forth in the Scriptures embraces the entire
being—spirit, soul, and body. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians that
their “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23
. Again he
writes to believers: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God.”
Romans 12:1
. In the time of ancient Israel every offering
brought as a sacrifice to God was carefully examined. If any defect
was discovered in the animal presented, it was refused; for God had
commanded that the offering be “without blemish.” So Christians are
bidden to present their bodies, “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God.” In order to do this, all their powers must be preserved in the best
possible condition. Every practice that weakens physical or mental
strength unfits man for the service of his Creator. And will God be
pleased with anything less than the best we can offer? Said Christ:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” Those who do
love God with all the heart will desire to give Him the best service of
their life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of
their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability
to do His will. They will not, by the indulgence of appetite or passion,
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enfeeble or defile the offering which they present to their heavenly
Father.
Peter says: “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the
soul.”
1 Peter 2:11
. Every sinful gratification tends to benumb the
faculties and deaden the mental and spiritual perceptions, and the word
or the Spirit of God can make but a feeble impression upon the heart.
Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
. And with the fruits of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness”—he classes
“temperance.”
Galatians 5:22, 23
.
Notwithstanding these inspired declarations, how many professed
Christians are enfeebling their powers in the pursuit of gain or the
worship of fashion; how many are debasing their godlike manhood by
gluttony, by wine drinking, by forbidden pleasure. And the church,
instead of rebuking, too often encourages the evil by appealing to
appetite, to desire for gain or love of pleasure, to replenish her trea-
sury, which love for Christ is too feeble to supply. Were Jesus to