Sanctification
By J. C. Philpot
As from the cross flows all salvation, so
from the cross flows all sanctification. What have not men
done, to make themselves holy; and by this means render themselves, as they
have thought, acceptable to God! What tortures of body, what fastings,
scourgings, self-imposed penances to sanctify their sinful nature, and
conform their rebellious flesh to the holiness demanded by the law! And with
what success? They have landed either in self-righteousness or
despair—though at opposite points of the compass.
The flesh cannot be sanctified. It is essentially and
incurably corrupt; and therefore, if we are to possess that inward holiness,
"without which no man shall see the Lord," it must be by Christ being "of
God, made unto us sanctification," as well as righteousness—sanctifying us
not only "with his own blood," (Heb. 13:13,) but by his Spirit and grace. If
we believe in Him, we shall love him ("unto you which believe, he is
precious;") if we love him, we shall seek to please, and fear to displease
him; if we believe in Him, by the gift and work of God, this divine and
living faith will purify our heart, overcome the world, produce that
spiritual mindedness which is life and peace, give union and communion with
the Lord of life and glory; and every believing view of him, every act of
faith upon him, and every visit from him, will conform us to his likeness,
as the Apostle speaks: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3:18.)
If, then, we are to feel an inward power sanctifying our
hearts, drawing up our minds to heavenly things, subduing our sins,
meekening and softening our spirit, separating us from the world, filling us
with holy thoughts, gracious desires, and pure affections, and thus making
us "meet for the inheritance of the saints in light," this inward
sanctification must flow wholly and solely from the Blessed Spirit, as the
gift of a risen Jesus: as he himself said, "Nevertheless I tell you the
truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto
you." "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it
unto you" (John 16:7, 14).
It is not, then, the hair-shirt, the monk's cell, the
midnight vigil, the protracted fast; no, nor the soothing strains of the
swelling organ, the melodious chant of surpliced choristers, the "dim
religious light" of the stained Gothic window; no, nor the terrors of the
Law, the accusations of conscience, the tears, cries and resolutions of a
heart that still loves sin, though professing to repent of it; no, nor
gloomy looks, neglected apparel, softly uttered words, slow walk, holiness
of face, manner, and gesture, hollow voice, demure countenance, a choice
assortment of Scripture words and phrases on every occasion, or no occasion;
no, nor all the array of piety and sanctity which Satan, transformed into an
angel of light, has devised to deceive thousands, that can purge the
conscience from the guilt, filth, love, power and practice of sin, or raise
up that new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.
Like the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a
heifer sprinkling the unclean, they may, and even that very imperfectly,
sanctify to the purifying of the flesh; but it is the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, which can
alone purge the conscience from filth, guilt, and dead works, to serve the
living God; and it is the work of the blessed Spirit alone which, by
revealing Christ, and forming him in the heart, "the hope of glory," can
create and bring forth that new man of grace which is renewed in knowledge
after the image of him who created him.