“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,” 1 Thess 4:3.
It is frequently found that in Holy Scripture a parallel is drawn between the natural life of the body and the spiritual life of the soul. In each there is a birth and a developing of that which began at birth.
Regeneration is the beginning of life within the soul — the new birth. Sanctification is the growth of the new nature under the sustaining and supportive influences of the Holy Spirit. It is a work carried on by a twofold process.
There is the mortification of the old nature and the quickening, enlivening of the new nature. All that remains of the old nature is subdued and new life is gradually developed in every faculty and function. There can be no better statement of the doctrine offered than that contained in the Shorter Catechism, answer 35. “Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.” In our study of this glorious doctrine I must stress first of all:—
I. SANCTIFICATION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF GOD'S PURPOSE IN GRACE.
1. By that I mean that where there is no evidence of sanctification then there can be no work of grace. II Cor 5:17 makes that plain. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” If there is a real and living relationship with Christ then there will be the evidence of it— a great and fundamental change from the ways of darkness to the ways of light.
2. This must be stressed because many believe that a profession of faith is sufficient proof of salvation. There are those who are resting upon an interview with a Sunday School teacher or a prayer prayed in the presence of a minister when they were but children as proof that they are on their way to heaven. Unless that was followed by the change of life that is spoken of in II Cor 5:17 then your heart was not changed at that time and you were not the recipient of new life within your soul. As foliage and flowers and fruit on a tree or shrub that we have planted is evidence that it has really taken root, so the growth of new and holy habits in the life are evidence that a soul has been born again. Today, we have the 21st century parallel to Nehemiah 13:24. Worldly speech sprinkled with a little Bible. “And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.”
3. The absolute necessity of holiness of life is taught in the Bible. In Hebrews 12:14. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Nothing could be more explicit than this. Without holiness there is no new life and without the new life, the NEW BIRTH, “we cannot see the kingdom of God,” John 3:3.
II. SANCTIFICATION IS A WORK CARRIED FORWARD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Although sanctification is a work ascribed unto God the Father, Jude 1, and to God the Son, Ephes 5:26, it is primarily the work of God the Holy Spirit, Ezekiel 36:27, I Cor 6:11. Titus 3:5-6, II Thess 2:13, I Peter 1:2, 22. The work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit is:—
1. Progressive. It is carried on by degrees. II Cor 3:18, II Cor 4:16. It is not accomplished in a moment but advances gradually. ‘More and more’. I Thess 4:1.
2. Extensive. It embraces the whole man. I Thess 5:23. All of Lazarus was alive! New qualities must appear throughout our whole being and all the members of our body must become instruments of righteousness. All of our being is thus submitted to God's rule.
3. Elevating. There is a slackening of the power of sin in the life and soul and a growing in righteousness. There is a turning away from sinful works and a following after holiness, I Thess 1:9, Hebs 9:14. Act 4:13.
4. Constant. While in nature we may see seasons in which growth is especially evident we know that it does not ever entirely stop. Likewise, so it is with sanctification. It ought to constantly progress. Ephes 4:24- ‘Putting on’. Blind Bartimaeus, Mark 10:52 - ‘Followed Jesus’.
5. Divine. It is carried on by the grace of God. We cannot accomplish this work of ourselves. We must apply ourselves to the means of grace, God's word, prayer, the fellowship of the saints. Acts 2:42, note ‘Continued’.
III. THE OBJECTIVE OF SANCTIFICATION IS A RENEWING OF THE CHRISTIAN IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
1. This has been the objective of the covenant of grace. Rom 8:29.
2. It will not be fully realised until the resurrection of the saints. I Cor 15:49, Phil 3:21, I John 3:2. 3.
3. As sanctification advances so does our happiness and our spiritual beauty. As sin is put off so we put off its misery and its deformity. We grow in likeness to the Lord. 2 Cor 3:17-18. Rom 14:17, Gal 5:22. As a year changes from winter storms and overshadowed days to the brighter sunshine of summer, so it should be with our souls as we progress heavenward.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen,” 2 Peter 3:18.
Old Hymn sung with great brokenness in early meetings in Ravenhill - 437. “Where He may lead me I will go.”