Sanctification # 1

Sanctification # 1

That man has fallen from God, and is consequently depraved and polluted, is a fact so clearly revealed in God's Word, and so evidently proved by his general conduct - that it cannot be denied, or even doubted by anyone who believes the inspiration of the Scriptures, or attends to what is passing around him. That in this state, man is totally unfit to enter heaven, or enjoy the presence of God on earth - is equally clear. Man has forfeited all right to happiness, and is destitute of all fitness for glory. He is a rebel up in arms against God - a sinful and polluted creature! His unfitness for heaven is radical, for he is entirely depraved, and the very core of his life is a fountain of impurity - for from within, out of the heart, proceeds all that is vile, debasing, and offensive to God - and only such evil things. Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is evil, only evil - evil from his youth - evil continually. (Genesis 6:5; 8:21).

He is, in a word, just the opposite of what God made him; when he came out of the hand of His Maker.... he was holy, he is now depraved; he was light - he is now darkness; he was strong - he is now weakness; he was love - he is now enmity against God; he was in union with God - he is now separated from God; he was pure - he is now dead in trespasses and sins!

Oh! fearful state! Oh! awful condition!

But is this the state of all people? It is! Of every one! Are there no exceptions? There are none! "For all are gone out of the way, they are together become filthy!" "There is none that does good - no, not one!" (Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:10-18).

Then man's state by nature is really fearful, for he is God's enemy, satan's slave, sin's representative, and fit fuel for everlasting burnings.

Then heaven is closed against him, for "there shall never enter into it, anything that defiles;" and "without holiness no one shall see the Lord" (Revelation 21:27; Hebrews 12:14).

Then there is no hope. Not from the law - or on the ground of anything a fallen creature can do; but there is hope in the gospel - on the ground of free and sovereign grace. God has devised and revealed a way by which sin can be pardoned, the ungodly can be justified, and the depraved and polluted can be sanctified.

He has set forth the Lord Jesus, that by Him, whoever believes in Him should not perish - but have everlasting life. He has graciously promised His Holy Spirit to those who ask Him; and declared further, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you, and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep My laws!" (Ezekiel 36:26, 27). A man may be born again, or created anew in Christ Jesus; and except a man is born again - he can neither see, nor enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5).

This naturally leads us to the notice of our subject, which is SANCTIFICATION.  By sanctification, is intended a separation from that which is evil, and being set apart for that which is good. It is not a change of place, circumstances, or state; but a change of nature. It has its origin in the gracious purposes of God, it is the fruit of His good pleasure, for it is His sovereignty that God sanctifies.

The saints are all sanctified by God the Father - that is, set apart to be redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and made fit for heaven by the influence and operations of the Holy Spirit; chosen to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." (Jude 1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Sanctification flows from connection with our Lord Jesus Christ, who, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. (Hebrews 13:12). He, the sanctifying Head, sanctifies all of his members, and, together, they form one holy family, so that He is "not ashamed to call them brethren," (Hebrews 2:11). He is made sanctification unto all who are in union with Himself. (1 Corinthians 1:30).

But our personal and experimental sanctification, is produced only by the indwelling and operations of the Holy Spirit; and consists in our consecration to God and His service. It is the life of God in the soul. A new creation. A divine nature imparted. A resurrection from the dead. A new heart is given, a tender heart of flesh. The soul is melted in the fire of divine love, and molded afresh by the truth. Old things pass away, and all things become new.

The understanding is illuminated, the conscience is quickened and cleansed, the affections are spiritualized and elevated, and the will is directed into a new channel, so that it chooses the things which are most excellent.

The work beings with the washing of regeneration, in which the soul passes from death to life; and is carried on by the renewing of the Holy Spirit, which continues to quicken and sustain it. (Titus 3:5). The sanctified person is washed from the filth of sin, cleansed from the guilt of sin, and becomes devoted unto God.

The new nature which is imparted produces new sensations - from which flow, new desires, new fears, and new hopes. New motives influence the conduct, and new objects engage the attention.

~James Smith~

(continued with # 2)