|
Sanctification & Holiness
(Octavius Winslow, "The Christians Journey")
Christ himself is our sanctification.
As Christ, by the Spirit grows in us, and we
become conformed to the image of Christ,
He becomes our sanctification.
We grow holy only as we approximate to
the nature, the spirit, and image of Christ.
This is true holiness, and nothing else is.
Holiness does not consists in fastings, in prayers,
in religious duties, rites, and ceremonies. How
many there are in the present day who are
religiously and rigidly observing all these external
things, dreaming of holiness and fitness for heaven,
without one particle of real sanctification!
What a fearful and fatal delusion!
Your sanctification, beloved, is Christ: Christ growing
in you, "who of God is made unto us wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption."
Beloved, you have to battle with indwelling sin, and
to conflict with outward temptation. But never forget
that you are to live upon Christ as much for your
sanctification as for your justification; that His grace
is pledged to subdue your iniquities, to arm you in
the conflict, to give you skill in the holy fight, and
the final victory over all your enemies. And in
proportion as Christ grows in you, you will grow
in a true hatred of sin, in a deepening love of
holiness, and thus in real, gospel sanctification.
|