T a l b o t ’s
We have become afraid of the term, because those who teach sinless per fection in this life have appropriated it and perverted its scriptural mean ing. But that should not cause us to give up the word or its message to us. It is the Christian’s duty and privilege to be sanctified, though he can never claim sinless perfection this side of heaven. Then, “ when he shall appear, we shall be like him” in glory — free from sin and its power. A . There are several references in the book of Revelation to “ the second death.” They tell us that it is “ the lake of fire.” (See Rev. 2:11, 20:6, 14.) The term is used in the sense of eternal punishment, separation from God, remorse, suffering, and sor row; not in the sense of physical death, as the whole body of Scripture makes plain. You must bear in mind that death, in the Bible, never means cessation of existence. It means separation. The prodigal son was separated from his father and from his father’s house; consequently, the father said, .“This my son was dead, and is alive again” (Luke 15:24). The father did not mean that his son had ceased to exist, but that he was separated from him, and in the far country. Paul has the same thought in mind in Eph. 2:1, where he says, “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Before their conversion these Ephesians w e r e “ dead” because they were alienated from God and afar off. Physical death also means separa tion of the spirit from the body. “ The body without the spirit is dead” (Jas. 2:26). All these things need to be borne in mind because of the teaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses and other anni- hilationists, who claim that death means absolute non-existence. The “ second death” of Revelation is separ ation of both body and spirit from God. SECOND DEATH Q. What is “ the second death” ?
A . Little children who have not reached the age of accountability, where they are able to intelligently believe the Gospel and to receive the Lord Jesus as their own personal Sav iour — and who are therefore of course, unable to reject the Lord — are in a place of safety under the blood, since Christ died for the sins of the whole world. I should certainly teach such little children to pray. But when they have reached the age of accountability and should reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and are thus treading under foot the Son of God and making the blood of the covenant an unholly thing, and doing despite to the Spirit of grace," they certainly have no right to pray, and it is wrong to teach them that they have such a right. SINLESS PERFECTION Q. What is sanctification, if it is not holiness or sinless perfection? A . “ Sanctification” and “ saint” are kindred words, and imply separation from the godless world. We are set apart for God; that is sanctification. Sanctification, however, is two-fold: One aspect of the term has to do with our standing before God is brought about by the blood of Christ, and is eternal, complete, once for all. “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all” (Heb. 10 : 10 ). Sanctification as to our state and daily walk is another thing. This is brought about through the operation of the Word of God, as we read it and allow it to judge our walk and ways. Christ said in His prayer for His disciples, “ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). And Paul wrote of the same thing in Eph. 5:25, 26: “ Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” As we read the holy Scriptures, meditate upon them, love them, and seek to live by them, we are being separated from the things that would defile.
IMPERSONATIONS Q. What do you think of motion pic tures which impersonate Christ? A . My answer is found in the fact that, to me, it is nothing short of blasphemy for any sinful human be ing to impersonate our sinless Lord. Moreover, the highly commercialized moving picture business, in present ing Biblical stories, is not furthering the Gospel of our crucified and risen Lord. It is a money-making scheme, for entertainment, often produced by unbelievers. God has given us a beautiful por trait of Himself in His infallible Word. Why trust those who often do not even know Him to attempt to portray Him and His truth? To me it is a sacrilege. BEFORE OR AFTER Q. What difference does it make whether Christ appears before the Millennium or after the Millennium? A . The difference is that if His com ing is to be delayed a thousand years and more it could not possibly be a present and blessed hope. It is a great thing to know that He may come for us at any moment, and it is upon this ever-present possibility that the Word of God bases its exhortations for every Christian grace. “ Every man that hath this hope in him puri- fieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:1-3). MOSES' PRAYER Q. What is the meaning of Exodus 32:32-33? A . In this passage Moses appears as the intercessor for his people. So ear nest was he in his pleading for them that he was willing to be lost him self if only his people might be saved. The same spirit is seen in Acts 7:60; Rom. 9:3, and pre-eminently in Luke 23:34. TEACH ING CHILDREN TO PRAY Q. Is there any Scripture to show that we should teach our children to pray?
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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