"Who of God is made unto us Sanctification."—1
Cor. 1:30
How 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 concerning the former conversation
this old man. By its transforming power it renders us "partakers of the
Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust." (2 Pet. 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."