Sanctification # 3

Sanctification # 3

Sanctification is evidently a principle end of all the purposes, promises, and operations of the glorious Jehovah.

We are chosen in Christ - that we might be holy." (Ephesians 1:4).
We are redeemed by Jesus - to be "a peculiar people unto Himself, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).

We are "called with a holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9).

And we are to be presented before our God at last, "holy, unblamable, and unreprovable in His sight" (Col. 1:22; Jude 24, 25).

We are now called "holy brethren" (Hebrews 3:1); "a holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5); "holy and beloved" (Col. 3:12; and the "holy temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 3:17, 6:19).

"This is the will of God, even our sanctification," (1 Thess. 4:3; and until our sanctification is complete, and we exactly resemble the Lord Jesus Christ, in body, soul, and spirit - our salvation will not be finished, nor God's glorious purpose accomplished. We must be like Him, for we are predestined to it: "we shall be like Him - for we shall see Him as He is" (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2).

The temples of the Holy Spirit shall be thoroughly purified! The bride, the Lamb's wife, shall be free from every spot, wrinkle, or any such thing! The children of God shall be perfect - as their Father who is in heaven is perfect.

The INSTRUMENT by which this work is effected, is the Word of God, the truth as it is in Jesus. Hence he prayed, "Sanctify them through Your truth, Your Word is truth," (John 17:17. Every doctrine, promise, precept, and narrative in God's Word - is of a sanctifying tendency; all teach us to avoid sin, cleave to the Lord, and perfect holiness in his fear.

"By the Word of God we are begotten again," (James 1:18); by the same incorruptible Word, we are preserved in the faith, (1 John 3:9); and it is said to work effectually in all those who believe, (1 Thess. 2:13). But it is the Word as believed, as pleaded at the throne of grace, as obeyed in the life, for without faith the Word will not profit. (Hebrews 4:2). But by faith, it purifies the heart. (Acts 15:9).

Afflictions and trials are often employed to teach us the value, use, and importance of the Word; and, in connection with the Word, they further our sanctification. Yes, believer, your sorrows, your troubles, your bereavements, are all necessary; they are to wean you from earth; to raise your thoughts and affections to Heaven; and to urge you on your way to your Father's house!

They are but your Father's voice, saying "Arise and depart; for this is not your rest; because it is polluted!" (Micah 2:10).

Our Father chastens us in love, not for His own pleasure - but for our profit; that we might be partakers of His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10).

Let us therefore prize and use the gospel, seeking to know all that is included in the apostle's words, when he said, "But we all with open face beholding, as in a glass, the Lord's glory - are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18).

The work of sanctification is PROGRESSIVE. At first we see the new-born babe, "desiring the sincere milk of the Word, that he may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).

Then the young man who is strong, and has overcome the wicked one, (1 John 2:14). At length the father in Christ, who knows Him who was from the beginning. (1 John 2:13).

There is "first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head." Therefore we are exhorted to "grow in grace" (2 Peter 3:18); "purge ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1); "be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18); and "to abound in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

John, speaking of the present privileges and bright prospects enjoyed by the saints, says, "And every one who has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 2:3).

Progressive holiness is just this: the more entire yielding of the understanding to God's Word; the more hearty surrender of the will to God; the more steady fixing of the affections on heavenly things; and the more complete consecration of the entire person to the Lord's glory.

~James Smith~

(continued with # 4)