16. SANCTIFICATION
by Henry Law
"Who of God is made unto us Sanctification."—1 Cor. 1:30How many texts, as overflowing cups, bring comfort to the believing heart! Varied and excessive is the sinner's need. By nature he is destitute of all grace, and by practice laden with all iniquity. He lies in the deep abyss of helplessness, utterly powerless to devise escape. Among his countless miseries, the tendency to evil holds a sad place. But here an exuberant scripture administers relief. It reveals Jesus as appointed to supply this aid. "He of God is made to us Sanctification."
To this grand mercy attention is now invited. Let us explore the favored state of the recipients of this grace. The Holy Spirit, willing to elevate the soul, and to multiply strong consolations, gives copious illustrations of this work of Christ. A vast picture is spread before us, exhibiting in diverse forms and varying colors its beauteous nature and supreme blessedness.
Sanctification is portrayed as "putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Eph. 4:24) It finds us as far from God as sin could drive us; as unlike Him as darkness is to light; as far estranged as hell from heaven; with features hideous, loathsome, and disgusting; with pollution soiling every word and work, and look and step. It enables us to discard this old man concerning our former conduct. By its transforming power it renders us "partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:4)
Wondrous is this renovation! It is not a transition from one earthly state to another. It is not the construction of another fabric from old materials. Such a patched edifice might be effected by earthly means. It is rather the introduction of heavenly life into the heart. Heavenly aid therefore must put forth energy to accomplish this exaltation to God's own likeness. The language of the text announces the mighty means of the translation. "Christ of God is made unto us Sanctification."
Our perception of the superhuman work is further aided by the image of new birth. The necessity of this marvel is stated by the lips of Jesus. "Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again." (John 3:7) We must be translated into a state of being antithetical to that which by natural birth we brought into this world. "That which is born of the flesh, is flesh." (John 3:6) And we know that "those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom. 8:8) But no motion of our will, no effort of our power, can originate our birth into this world. Much less could earthly means regenerate us to spiritual condition. The new creature is "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13) A heavenly voice says, Live, and we live to God. Thus again the truth appears, "Christ of God is made unto us Sanctification."
Another image expressively describes this change as a resurrection from the dead. "He has quickened you, who were dead in trespasses and sins." (Eph. 2:1) We are here taught the nature of such revival. Sin entered, armed with murderous weapon. Ruthlessly it slew the life of God within. The soul, originally the abode of God, became godless desolation. The torch of life was totally extinguished. The spring, at first so pure, became the source of only noxious streams. The human race presented the picture of Ezekiel's "valley full of bones, very many, and very dry." (Ezek. 37:1, 2) We ask, 'Can these dry bones again be animate?' No human power could raise them from their incapacitated state. The breath of the Lord alone could quicken them. But when that breath passed over them, "they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army." (Ezek. 37:10) So, when the voice which called forth Lazarus from the tomb utters the resurrection-mandate, the soul comes forth in newness of fresh life. Here again we welcome the truth, "Christ is made of God our Sanctification."
Conversion is a term employed to add vivid colors to this picture. Significant is this illustration. By nature our course of life is wholly downward. Every step is deviation from the ways of God. The back is turned to heaven and heavenly things. This world, with its polluting pleasures, its empty vanities, its unsatisfying shadows, its deceitful pomps and honors, is sought with blinded zeal. The daily movement is descent towards hell. But Sanctification turns the soul completely around. Objects once shunned are now desired. That is now loved which once was hated. Former pleasures retain no relish. The mask which hid the hideous features of the world has fallen. The other lords which so long exercised dominion are now renounced as cruel tyrants; their yoke is broken, and their scepter shattered. The warning is solemn, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3) Earnest is the call, "Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
But the exhortation does not imply that man thus has power of himself to turn. As easily might the descending river with returning stream seek again its native spring. As easily might the sun's seeming motion turn again and seek at evening an eastern bed. The power of God must stride forth mightily. Ephraim in this consciousness supplicates, "Restore me, and I will return, because You are the Lord my God." (Jer. 31:18) And Zion prays, "Restore us to Yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old." (Lam. 5:21) We find the answer in the Gospel-truth, "Christ of God is made unto us Sanctification."
Other illustrations press forward to portray this renovating grace. It is beauty from deformity, strength from helplessness, health from disease, clothing from nakedness, riches from poverty, sight from blindness, activity from decrepitude, righteousness from unrighteousness, purity from filth, peace from anxiety, joy from sorrow, smiles from tears, songs from sighs, the oil of gladness from the spirit of heaviness, the glorious liberty of God's children from the captivity of Satan's slaves, adoption into God's family from wandering in the world's waste wilderness. But no multiplication of words can fully show the change effected by "Christ, who of God is made unto us Sanctification."
Let us advance to mark the means employed by Christ. A renovation so vast and so complete requires the power of Deity. Such power lends its aid. The Holy Spirit is the all-conquering Agent. He changes the wild desert of the soul into the paradise of God. He broods over the chaos of confusion, and establishes the loveliness of order. Under His renewing rays, the soil so rank with weeds blooms with fragrant flowers, and branches before laden with poisonous berries bend with luxuriant fruit. The breast, which was the highway of every unruly passion, becomes the way of holiness. Transformed by His subduing scepter, the scene, once so hateful and repulsive, assumes the charms and beauties of peace and love. Satan is driven from his old domain. One far stronger than this mighty tyrant expels him from his usurped dominion.
He alone who had power to create, can put forth energy mighty to renew. But what He undertakes, He is able to complete. Thus salvation's perfect scheme receives no check. The Father loves, and sends His Son to save. Jesus loves, and takes on Himself the full accomplishment. The Spirit loves, and rides in conquering chariot to change the heart, to introduce the reign of Christ, to sanctify to the uttermost. All glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Spirit! The work is gloriously finished. The Bride is fitted for the marriage of the Lamb.
In producing these grand effects, a mighty Agent uses a mighty instrument. This is the blessed Word; the proclamation of God's truth; the revelation of His will; the transcript of His character; the announcement of His purposes; the mirror which reflects His attributes; the weapon "quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"; (Heb. 4:12) "a light shining in a dark place"; (2 Pet. 1:19) "better than thousands of gold and silver"; (Psa. 119:72) "sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb"; (Psa. 19:10) "a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces"; (Jer. 23:29) the "leaven which leavens the whole lump"; (Gal. 5:9) "the rain which comes down from heaven, and returns not there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud"; (Isa. 55:10) "the speech which distills as the dew"; (Deut. 32:2) This is the conquering instrument which the Sanctifier uses to effectuate renewal.
This Word is conquering, whether sounded from the pulpit or diligently studied on the knees and in the hour of calm retirement. It stands high among appointed means. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe." (1 Cor. 1:21) We are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever." (1 Pet. 1:23) It is our Lord's assurance, "Now you are clean, through the Word which I have spoken to you." (John 15:3)
When the Word enters as a ray from heaven, it shows sin in its abominable filth, as the vile monster which the Lord abhors, and thus creates most righteous hatred. It reveals Jesus in the plenitude of His redeeming grace, and kindles the flame of fervent adoration. The love of Jesus produces love of His will, and transformation into His glorious likeness.
Thus Jesus, through the Spirit's blessing on the Word, becomes our Sanctification. The most saintly man on earth is he who lives steeped in the Bible, whose every desire is framed after Gospel-mold, who reflects the rays which sparkle through the sacred volume. There is much teaching in the prayer, "Sanctify them through Your truth; Your Word is truth." (John 17:17) Error defiles, pollutes, and leads to viciousness of life; but it cannot exist in the soil which truth has consecrated. Hence Jesus by His teaching sanctifies the whole man.
It is scarcely necessary to press the obvious truth, that without Sanctification no fitness for the heavenly home is gained. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." (Heb. 12:14) The pure in heart are those who shall see God. (Matt. 5:8) Sin loved and fondled is absolute exclusion from the realms of light. Impossibilities may be supposed, but not the possibility of an unsanctified man in heaven. How could he join the pure communion of the saints in light! how could he sing their rapturous songs! how could he swell the chorus of their ecstatic praises! how could he sit down at the table of their choice delights, and give blessing for the salvation which he had never welcomed, and extol the blood in which he had never washed, and testify that he was clothed with the righteousness which was most alien to his choice! None but the sanctified could gain admission, none but the sanctified could join the throng. To others every sight and every sound would be discordant. In heaven the unsanctified could not be happy; in hell, their proper home, they must be miserable forever.
Hence the blessedness of learning the lesson, that through Jesus Sanctification may be obtained. Let each day then be regarded as a blank in which no advance in this knowledge is made. This study is a heavenly pursuit. It dignifies and ennobles every thought and every desire. It kindles the radiant flame of peace and joy.
Sanctification is, also, the correlative of happiness. As grace is incipient glory, so Sanctification is incipient heaven. Here we see the delusion of those whose impiety sneers at the doctrines of our Gospel, and defames them as loose and licentious. It is Satan's falsehood, that to receive salvation as the bestowal of free grace, breaks down the barriers of holy living, and gives allowance to unbridled passions. How different is the real case! The truth of Jesus is after godliness. (Titus 1:1) Where Christ is absent, there is no check to evil. With the indwelling Savior the fruits of holiness abound. "He of God is made unto us Sanctification."