:"And the very Eloah of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray Yahuwah your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Master Yahushua the Anointed." 1 Thessalonians 5:23
 There is in the religious world a theory of sanctification which is false in itself, and dangerous in its influence. We have met many who claim to be sanctified; but in many cases those who profess sanctification do not possess the genuine article. Their sanctification consists in talk and will-worship. Those who are really seeking to perfect Christian character will never indulge in the thought that they are sinless.
Their lives may be irreproachable, they may be living representatives of the truth which they have accepted; but the more they discipline their minds to dwell upon the character of Yahushua, and the nearer they approach to his divine image, the more clearly will they discern its spotless perfection, and the more deeply will they feel their own defects.
When persons claim that they are sanctified, it is sufficient evidence that they are far from being holy. They fail to see their own weakness and utter destitution. They look upon themselves as reflecting the image of Yahushua, because they have no true knowledge of him. The greater the distance between them and their Saviour, the more righteous they appear in their own eyes.
While with penitence and humble trust we meditate upon Yahushua, whom our sins have pierced and our sorrows have burdened, we may learn to walk in his footsteps. By beholding him we become changed into his divine likeness. And when this work is wrought in us, we shall claim no righteousness of our own, but shall exalt Yahushua the Anointed, while we hang our helpless souls upon his merits.
 Our Saviour ever condemned self-righteousness. He taught his disciples that the highest type of religion is that which manifests itself in a quiet, unobtrusive manner. He cautioned them to perform their deeds of charity quietly; not for display, not to be praised or honored of men, but for the glory of Yahuwah, expect ing their reward hereafter. If they should perform good deeds to be lauded by men, no reward would be given them by their Father in Heaven.
 The followers of Yahushua were instructed not to pray for the purpose of being heard of men. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6. Such expressions as this from the lips of Yahushua show that he did not regard with approval that kind of piety so prevalent among the Pharisees. His teachings upon the mount show that acts of benevolence assume a noble form, and offices of religious worship reflect a most precious fragrance, when performed in an unpretending manner, in penitence and humility. The pure motive sanctifies the act.
 True sanctification is an entire conformity to the will of Yahuwah. Rebellious thoughts and feelings are overcome, and the voice of Yahushua awakens a new life, which pervades the entire being. Those who are truly sanctified will not set up their own opinion as a standard of right and wrong. They are not bigoted or self-righteous; but they are jealous of self, ever fearing, lest a promise being left them, they should come short of complying with the conditions upon which the promises are based.
Many who profess sanctification are entirely ignorant of the work of grace upon the heart. When proved and tested, they are found to be like the self-righteous Pharisee. They will bear no contradiction. They lay aside reason and judgment, and depend wholly upon their feelings, basing their claims to sanctification upon emotions which they have at some time experienced. Around that point they center all their experience. They are stubborn and perverse in their tenacious claims of sanctification, giving many words, but bearing no precious fruit as proof. These professedly sanctified persons are not only deluding their own souls by their pretensions, but are exerting an influence to lead astray many who earnestly desire to conform to the will of Yahuwah. They may be heard to reiterate again and again, "Yahuwah leads me! Yahuwah teaches me! I am living without sin!" Many who come in contact with this spirit encounter a dark, mysterious something which they cannot comprehend. But it is that which is altogether unlike Yahushua.
 Sanctification does not consist in strong emotional feelings. Here is where many are led into error. They make feelings their criterion. When they feel elated or happy, they claim that they are sanctified. Happy feelings or the absence of joy is no evidence that a person is or is not sanctified. There is no such thing as instantaneous sanctification. True sanctification is a daily work, continuing as long as life shall last. Those who are
 battling with daily temptations, overcoming their own natural tendencies, and seeking for holiness of heart and life, make no boastful claims of holiness. They are hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Sin appears to them exceedingly sinful.
There are those claiming sanctification who make a profession of the truth, like their brethren, and it may be difficult to make a dis
 tinction between them; but the difference exists, nevertheless. The testimony of those claiming such an exalted experience will cause the sweet spirit of Yahushua to withdraw from a meeting, and will leave a chilling influence upon those present, while if they were truly living without sin, their very presence would bring holy angels into the assembly, and their words would indeed be "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11.
In summer , as we look upon the trees of the distant forest, all clothed with a beautiful mantle of green, we may not be able to distinguish between the ever greens and the other trees. But as winter approaches, and the frost king incloses them in his icy embrace, stripping the other trees of their beautiful foliage, the evergreens are readily discerned. Thus will it be with the meek who walk in humility, distrustful of self, but clinging tremblingly to the hand of Yahushua. While those who are self-confident, and trust to perfection of character, are soon robbed of their false robe of righteousness when subjected to the storms of trial, the truly righteous, who sincerely love and fear Yahuwah in humility, wear the robe of Yahushua's righteousness in prosperity and adversity alike.
Self-denial , self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and …[divine] trust are the daily fruits borne by those who are truly connected with Yahuwah. Their acts may not be published to the world, but they themselves are daily wrestling with evil, and gaining precious victories over temptation and wrong. Solemn vows are renewed and kept through the strength gained by earnest prayer and constant watching thereunto. The ardent enthusiast does not discern the struggles of these silent workers; but the eye of Him who seeth the secrets of the heart, notices and regards with approval every effort put forth in lowliness and meekness. It requires the testing time to reveal the true gold of love and faith in the character. When trials and perplexities come upon the church, then the steadfast zeal and warm affections of the professed follower of Yahushua are developed.
We feel sad to see professed followers of Yahushua led astray by the false but bewitching theory that they are perfect, because it is so difficult to undeceive them and get them on the right track. They have sought to make the exterior fair and pleasing, while the inward adorning, the meekness and lowliness of Yahushua, is wanting. The testing time will come to all, when the hopes of many who have for years thought themselves secure, will be seen to be without foundation. When in new positions, under varied circumstances, some who have seemed to be pillars in the house of Yahuwah reveal only rotten timber beneath the paint and varnish. But the humble in heart, who have daily felt the importance of riveting their souls to the eternal Rock, will stand unmoved amid the tempests of trial, because they trusted not to themselves. "The foundation of Yahuwah standeth sure, having this seal, The Master knoweth them that are his." 2 Timothy 2:19.
Those who take pains to call attention to their good works, constantly talking of their sinless state, and endeavoring to make their religious attainments prominent, are only deceiving their own souls by so doing. A healthy man, who is able to attend to the vocations of life, and who goes forth day after day to his labor, with buoyant spirits and with a healthful current of blood flowing through his veins, does not call the attention of every one he meets to his soundness of body. Health and vigor are the natural conditions of his life, and therefore he is scarcely conscious that he is in the enjoyment of so rich a boon.
Thus it is with the truly righteous man. He is unconscious of his goodness and piety. Religious principle has become the spring of his life and conduct, and it is just as natural for him to bear the fruits of the Spirit as for the fig-tree to bear figs, or for the rose-bush to yield rose. His nature is so thoroughly imbued with love for Yahuwah and his fellow-men that he works the works of Yahushua with a willing heart.
 All who come within the sphere of his influence perceive the beauty and fragrance of his professed follower…, while he himself is unconscious of it, for it is in harmony with his habits and inclinations. He prays for divine light, and loves to walk in that light. It is his meat and drink to do the will of his Heavenly Father. His life is hid with Yahushua in Yahuwah; yet he does not boast of this, nor seem conscious of it. Yahuwah smiles upon the humble and lowly ones who follow closely in the footsteps of the Master. Angels are attracted to them, and love to linger about their path. They may be passed by as unworthy of notice by those who claim exalted attainments, and who delight in making prominent their good works; but heavenly angels bend lovingly over them, and are as a wall of fire round about them.
 Our Saviour was the light of the world; but the world knew him not. He was constantly employed in works of mercy, shedding light upon the pathway of all; yet he did not call upon those with whom he mingled to behold his unexampled virtue, his self-denial, self-sacrifice, and benevolence. The Jews did not admire such a life; they considered his religion worthless, because it did not accord with their standard of piety. They decided that Yahushua was not religious in spirit or character; for their religion consisted in display, in praying publicly, and in doing works of charity for effect. They trumpeted their good deeds, as do those who claim sanctification. They would have all under stand that they were without sin. But the whole life of Yahushua was in direct contrast to this. He sought neither honor nor applause, His wonderful acts of healing were performed in as quiet a manner as possible, although he could not restrain the enthusiasm of those who were the recipients of his great blessings. Humility and meekness characterized his life. And it was because of his lowly walk and unassuming manners, which were in such marked contrast to their own, that the Pharisees would not accept him.
 The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. When this grace presides in the soul, the disposition is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting upon Yahuwah, and a submission of the will to his. The understanding grasps every divine truth, and the will bows to every divine precept, without doubting or murmuring. True meekness softens and subdues the heart, and gives the mind a fitness for the ingrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obedience to Yahushua the Anointed . It opens the heart to the word of Yahuwah, as Lydia's was opened. It places us with Mary as learners at the feet of Yahushua. "The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way." Psalms 25:9.
 The language of the meek is never that of boasting, but that of the child Samuel,--"Speak, Master, for thy servant heareth." 1 Samuel 3:10. When Joshua was placed in the highest position of honor, as commander of Israel, he was bidding defiance to all the enemies of Yahuwah. His heart was filled with noble thoughts of his great mission. Yet upon the intimation of a message from Heaven, he places himself in the position of a little child to be directed. "What saith my Master unto his servant?" was his response. The first words of Paul after Yahushua was revealed to him were, "Master, what wilt thou have me to do?" Acts 9:6.
Meekness in the school of Yahushua is one of the marked fruits of the Spirit. It is a grace wrought by the Holy Spirit as a sanctifier, and enables its possessor at all times to control a rash and impetuous temper. When the grace of meekness is cher ished by those who are naturally sour or hasty in disposition, they will put forth the most earnest efforts to subdue their unhappy temper. Every day they will gain self-control, until that which is unlovely and unlike Yahushua is conquered. They become assimilated to the Divine Pattern, until they can obey the inspired injunction, "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." James 1:19.
When a man professes to be sanctified, and yet in words and works may be represented by the impure fountain sending forth its bitter waters, we may safely say, that man is deceived. He needs to learn the very alphabet of what constitutes the life of a true professed follower of Yahushua. Some who profess to be servants of Yahushua have so long cherished the demon of unkindness that they seem to love the unhallowed element, and to take pleasure in speaking words that displease and irritate. These men must be converted, before Yahushua will acknowledge them as his children.
Meekness is the inward adorning, which Yahuwah estimates as of great price. The apostle speaks of this as more excellent and valuable than gold, or pearls, or costly array. While the outward adorning beautifies only the mortal body, the ornament of meekness adorns the soul, and connects finite man with the infinite Yahuwah. This is the ornament of Yahuwah's own choice. He who garnished the heavens with the orbs of light, has by the same Spirit promised that he will "beautify the meek with salvation." Psalms 149:4. Angels of Heaven will register as best adorned, those who put on Yahushua the Anointed , and walk with him in meekness and lowliness of mind.
There are high attainments for the professed follower of Yahushua. He may ever be rising to higher attainments. John had an elevated idea of the privilege of a professed follower of Yahushua. He says, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of Yahuwah." 1 John 3:1. It is not possible for humanity to rise to a higher dignity than is here implied. To man is granted the privilege of becoming an heir of Yahuwah and a joint heir with Yahushua. To those who have been thus exalted, are unfolded the unsearchable riches of Yahushua, which are of a thousand fold more value than the wealth of the world. Thus, through the merits of Yahushua the Anointed , finite man is elevated to fellowship with Yahuwah and with his dear Son.
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