In the year 1900 a fanatical teaching was started in the state of Indiana in the United States. This fanatical teaching was termed the doctrine of holy flesh. Advocates of this movement taught that when Christ passed through the agony of Gethsemane he obtained holy flesh and those who follow Christ by faith in the Gethsemane experience would likewise obtain holy flesh and having obtained physical holiness, they could no more experience corruption and they would not die but be translated to heaven. That was the theory of the holy flesh movement.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The men of God who wrote down the prophecies are called holy. But did they make a boastful profession of holiness? Did these holy men of God say, I am holy, I am sinless? Is this how holy men behave?

Isaiah

When Isaiah saw the holiness of the Lord he said;

Isaiah 6:5 Woe is me for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips.

When Daniel saw the glory of the Lord he said;

Daniel 10:8 for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption,

When Peter saw the miracle working power of the Lord he said;

Luke 5:8 Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

When these men became aware of the presence of God they were brought to recognise their own condition. They said I’m unclean, I’m corrupt and I’m sinful. But these were the holy men of God that were moved upon by the Holy Spirit to write the Scriptures. Surely they would have recognised a condition of holiness in themselves rather than uncleanness, corruption and sinfulness?

Holy Flesh

The people in 1900 of the holy flesh movement in attempting to gain this holy flesh, sought an experience of physical demonstration with excitement, loud music and hysterical preaching. In 1900 the same year, Sister White wrote against this movement and spoke of it when she came to the General Conference session of 1901. When we study what Sister White wrote denouncing the holy flesh movement it gives us some wonderful insight.

The teaching given in regard to what is termed ‘holy flesh’ is an error. All may now obtain holy hearts, but it is not correct to claim in this life to have holy flesh. The apostle Paul declares, ‘I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing’ (Rom. 7:18). To those who have tried so hard to obtain by faith so-called holy flesh, I would say, You cannot obtain it. Not a soul of you has holy flesh now. No human being on the earth has holy flesh. It is an impossibility. {2SM 32.1}

From this statement we note the following: we can all obtain holy hearts but the flesh, that is something which cannot be holy in this lifetime. The text used to affirm we cannot obtain holy flesh in this lifetime is in Romans.

Romans 7:18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

However there is another text that was used by advocates of the holy flesh movement to affirm that they could obtain holy flesh.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How should this text be understood? It says to seek for sanctification of the spirit, body, and soul and if we are sanctified in body doesn’t that mean we have holy flesh?

The Scriptures teach us to seek for the sanctification to God of body, soul, and spirit. In this work we are to be laborers together with God. Much may be done to restore the moral image of God in man, to improve the physical, mental, and moral capabilities. Great changes can be made in the physical system by obeying the laws of God and bringing into the body nothing that defiles. And while we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian perfection of the soul. {2SM 32.3}

Sanctification of the body does not produce perfection of the flesh or holy flesh. Great changes can be made in the body but this does not produce perfection of the flesh. However sanctification of the body does assist to produce Christian perfection of the soul.

A diseased body and disordered intellect, because of continual indulgence in hurtful lust, make sanctification of the body and spirit impossible. The apostle understood the importance of the healthful conditions of the body for the successful perfection of Christian character. He says, ‘I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.’ He mentions the fruit of the Spirit, among which is temperance. {RH, September 8, 1874 par. 13}

Sanctification of the body assists to produce perfection of Christian character. Character is everything because that’s the only thing we take to heaven. We don’t take our body. Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians advocating the sanctification of the body because without it, without temperance, without sanctification of the body the Corinthians would fail at the perfection of a Christian character.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Will it ever be possible to have a body that could be termed holy flesh?

Philippians 3:20,21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

When human beings receive holy flesh, they will not remain on the earth, but will be taken to heaven. While sin is forgiven in this life, its results are not now wholly removed. It is at His coming that Christ is to ‘change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body’ (Phil. 3:21). {2SM 33.3}

Apostle Paul calls this vile body, the body of this death.

Roman 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

The vile body or body of this death remains until Jesus comes.

When Christ shall come, our vile bodies are to be changed, and made like His glorious body; but the vile character will not be made holy then. The transformation of character must take place before His coming. Our natures must be pure and holy; we must have the mind of Christ, that He may behold with pleasure His image reflected upon our souls. {OHC 278.3}

The nature of the flesh will be changed when Jesus comes but the nature of the character must be pure and holy before he comes. All can obtain holy hearts or holy characters before Jesus comes. Character is something that can be transformed. It’s something that can be changed. Changes in the physical system and changes in the body can assist in the transformation of the character. For example the food we eat can assist to change the temperament and thus help perfect the character. But the flesh, the vile body, that is something that cannot be holy in this lifetime. The results of sin are not wholly removed from the body and until this body is changed we cannot say I am sinless or holy.

We shall not boast of our holiness. As we have clearer views of Christ’s spotlessness and infinite purity, we shall feel as did Daniel, when he beheld the glory of the Lord, and said, ‘My comeliness was turned in me into corruption.’ {3SM 355.3}

We cannot say, ‘I am sinless,’ til this vile body is changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body. {3SM 355.4}

Sinful Flesh

In this life it is possible to obtain: holy hearts, Christian perfection of the soul, or perfection of Christian character. Those are all the terms used. Also that it is impossible to obtain holy flesh, perfection of the flesh, or sinless flesh. Those are the terms used. Therefore, if in this life we do not have and cannot obtain holy flesh, then we must necessarily have sinful flesh. Pretty simple.

. . . praying earnestly that God’s people may more distinctly and forcibly realize the dignity that our heavenly Father has conferred upon us in calling us to represent before the world, in sinful flesh, His goodness and mercy. {Medical Ministry 255.2}

We are to represent God’s goodness and mercy before the world in sinful flesh. It seems that in this life we will always have sinful flesh. If in this life we always have sinful flesh and cannot obtain holy flesh until we go to heaven what happens when probation closes and we still have sinful flesh? The answer is nothing because it is not a sin to have sinful flesh. If it were, then, we would have no hope once probation closes. Yet we cannot be sinning once probation closes then there would be no hope. So it appears that we will have to reach a state of sinlessness yet in sinful flesh. We will need to reach a condition of sinlessness in a sinful nature. This is what we find with Christ our example.

Christ Our Example

1 Peter 2:21,22 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Here is our example. Christ did no sin. He lived on earth, in a state of sinlessness.

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Christ was in the likeness of sinful flesh and Hebrews 2:14 tells us ‘likeness’ means the same, the same flesh as you and I.

Clad in the vestments of humanity, the Son of God came down to the level of those he wished to save. In him was no guile or sinfulness; he was ever pure and undefiled; yet he took upon him our sinful nature. {RH, December 15, 1896 par. 7}

He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Made ‘in the likeness of sinful flesh’ (Rom. 8:3), He lived a sinless life. {DA 311,312}

Bible Readings for the Home Circle and Romans 8:3

Christ in his life on earth lived in a state of sinlessness yet in sinful flesh. His was in a state of sinlessness in our sinful nature.  A book well representative of church beliefs is Bible Readings for the Home Circle. The 1915 edition of this book shows that the church in 1915 held the belief that it is possible to ‘live a sinless life in sinful flesh.’

God, in Christ, condemned sin, not by pronouncing against it merely as a judge sitting on the judgment seat, but by coming and living in the flesh, in sinful flesh, and yet without sinning. In Christ, He demonstrated that it is possible, by His grace and power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and live a sinless life in sinful flesh. – Bible Readings for the Home Circle, 1915 Edition.

That was the belief of the church at that time that it is possible to live a sinless life in sinful flesh. However something was lost in the 1958 edition of Bible Readings for the Home Circle. Reading the same paragraph as in the old edition, note what is missing.

God, in Christ, condemned sin, not by pronouncing against it merely as a judge sitting on the judgment seat, but by coming and living in the flesh, and yet without sinning. In Christ, He demonstrated that it is possible, by His grace and power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and live a sinless life in the flesh. – Bible Readings for the Home Circle, 1958 Edition.

Something missing? Twice the word sinful has been omitted which makes it to a certain degree ambiguous. Was it holy or sinful flesh? But let’s make it really clear.

Romans 8:3,4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

‘For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh’–it could not justify man, because in his sinful nature he could not keep the law. {PP 373.1}

Man in his sinful nature could not keep the law of God. Man in sinful flesh could not keep the law. Man could not live a sinless life because he had weak sinful flesh. But that is the very thing that we are saying is possible to live a sinless life in sinful flesh. The first part of Romans 8:3 is saying that man couldn’t do it because he is weak in the sinful nature. However the second part is saying that man could do it because Christ as man’s example has done it.

That He [Christ] might by His own example condemn sin in the flesh, He took upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh. {TMK 131.3}

Christ condemned sin by coming and living in sinful flesh yet without sinning. He showed by his own example that in sinful flesh man could keep the law of God. He showed that man could live a sinless life in sinful flesh. He demonstrated this by his own example. He demonstrated that it is possible by his grace and power to resist temptation, overcome sin and live a sinless life in sinful flesh. This is the very thing we need to understand before the close of probation. We are by the grace of God, to live sinless yet in our present weak flesh. The same expression of ideas can be found in Review and Herald.

After the fall, it had been impossible for man with his sinful nature to render obedience to the law of God, had not Christ, by the offer of his own life, purchased the right to lift up the race where they could once more work in harmony with its requirements. {RH, September 27, 1881 par. 11}

There are persons professing to be ministers of Christ, who declare with the utmost assurance that no man ever did or ever can keep the law of God. But, according to the Scriptures, Christ took upon himself our nature, he was made in fashion as a man. He was man’s example, man’s representative, and he declares of himself, I have kept my Father’s commandments. The beloved disciple urges that every follower of Christ ought himself also so to walk even as He walked. All who are Christ’s will follow the example of Christ. {RH, September 27, 1881 par. 12}

We have a sinful nature and that nature is weak making it impossible for us to keep the law of God yet an example is set before us in Romans 8:3 and4. It is an example that condemns sin in the flesh so that we can no longer find an excuse for sin in the weakness of our sinful nature because the Spirit can give us the power and strength to overcome the weakness of our sinful nature. That is what Romans 8:4 is saying. The Spirit can give us the power to keep the law of God. In our nature we have weaknesses that make us susceptible to sin. We have weaknesses that make us liable to sin. Christ also had these liabilities to sin.

Christ took humanity with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man with the possibility of yielding to temptation, and he relied upon divine power to keep him. {GCB, February 25, 1895 par. 6}

This is exactly our example. In our sinful nature it’s inevitable that we will sin. All that we can do without Christ is tainted with selfishness and sin. But it is a fact that we can rely upon divine power to keep us from sinning and thus we can reach a state of sinlessness in weak sinful flesh. This gives us great hope. The next statement now falls into place.

Sinlessness in Sinful Nature

Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God’s commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {6BC 1118.10}

Adam before his transgression did not have a sinful nature but we realise that while on earth we will always have a sinful nature. Those persons who reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before the fall will not have lost their sinful natures. Their condition will be sinlessness in the sinful nature. They will need to reach that condition before the close of probation because after it has closed they will need to live without sinning. Here are the ones that are going to reach that condition who will live after the close of probation.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Perfection of Character Not Easy

Now we begin to wonder what the implications of sinlessness are in sinful flesh. Is that something easy to achieve? We know that perfection of the flesh is an impossibility. We will always have sinful flesh while we live on this earth. But perfection of character, sanctification or holiness of character that is something that is now within the realms of possibility and in fact it is quite essential.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Is holiness easy to achieve? How long will it take?

The arduous struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle. There is no release in this war; the effort must be continuous and persevering. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose. {5T 412.2}

But while we are to seek earnestly for perfection of character, we must remember that sanctification is not the work of a moment, but of a lifetime. Said Paul, ‘I die daily’ (1 Cor. 15:31). Day by day the work of overcoming must go forward. Every day we are to resist temptation, and gain the victory over selfishness in all its forms. {YRP 353.2}

Set before us is a life long struggle for holiness and for the perfection of character. That’s why it says, ‘here is the patience of the saints.’ It takes a long persistent effort to struggle forward to perfection of character. Is there any point at which we can say I have now arrived, I am now perfect in character and I am now holy?

Philippians 3:12-15 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:

Apostle Paul makes no boast of perfection. He says not as though I were already perfect but I keep struggling forward, I press toward the mark.

Not one may claim to be perfect. Let the recording angels write the history of the holy struggles and conflicts of the people of God, let them record their prayers and tears; but let not God be dishonored by the proclamation from human lips, declaring, ‘I am sinless. I am holy.’ Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words. Paul had been caught up to the third heaven, and had seen and heard things that could not be uttered, and yet his modest statement is, ‘Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after.’ Let the angels of heaven write of Paul’s victories in fighting the good fight of faith. . . . but let Paul utter no vain praise of himself in making a boast of his attainments. {ST, May 23, 1895 par. 9}

Sanctified lips will never declare such presumptuous words as I am sinless and I am holy. Even if we do obtain holy hearts, Christian perfection of the soul or perfection of Christian character we will never hear those words I am sinless, I am holy.

1 John 1:8 Apostle John, who was a holy man of God inspired to write the Scriptures, does not separate himself from his brethren. He writes this: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Although we may have perfection of character we still have the sinful nature.

We cannot say, ‘I am sinless,’ till this vile body is changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body. {3SM 355.4}

1 John 3:2,3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Amen.