"Sanctify
them through Thy truth."
John 17:17
John 17:17
Sanctification
begins in regeneration. The Spirit of God infuses into man that new living
principle by which he becomes "a new creature" in Christ Jesus. This
work, which begins in the new birth, is carried on in a two way mortification,
whereby the lusts of the flesh are subdued and kept under; and vivification, by
which the life which God has put within us is made to be a well of water
springing up unto everlasting life.
This
is carried on every day in what is called "perseverance," by which
the Christian is preserved and continued in a gracious state, and is made to
abound in good works unto the praise and glory of God; and it culminates or
comes to perfection, in "glory," when the soul, being thoroughly
purged, is caught up to dwell with holy beings at the right hand of the Majesty
on high. But while the Spirit of God is thus the author of sanctification, yet
there is a visible agency employed which must not be forgotten.
"Sanctify
them," said Jesus, "through thy truth:
thy word is truth." The passages of Scripture which prove that the
instrument of our sanctification is the Word of God are very many. The Spirit
of God brings to our minds the precepts and doctrines of truth, and applies
them with power. These are heard in the ear, and being received in the heart,
they work in us to will and to do of God's good pleasure. The truth is the
sanctifier, and if we do not hear or read the truth, we shall not grow in
sanctification. We only progress in sound living as we progress in sound
understanding. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my
path." Do not say of any error, "It is a mere matter of
opinion."
No
man indulges an error of judgment, without sooner or later tolerating an error
in practice. Hold fast the truth, for by so holding the truth shall you be
sanctified by the Spirit of God.
God
bless,
David
L. Wynn, Pastor
Pauline
B. Grant CME Church
“This
is the Potter’s House”
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