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TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: Day 28
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"May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely." 1Th_5:23
Sanctification differs from justification in many respects, especially in its progressive character. We are as fully justified the first moment we believe in Christ as we shall ever be; such is the perfection of the act of justification, that it will not receive any addition—even in heaven.
But with sanctification it is far otherwise. It has, it is true, a completeness of parts, for in all its subjects every fruit of the Spirit is found, and a principle of resistance to every evil is implanted. Still the work, even in the holiest saint in the present life, is defective. He has to mourn continually over the remains of indwelling corruption, and at times he exclaims in bitter anguish, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
It is, therefore, a blessed thing for this sanctifying process to be carried on, and for all the powers of the mind to be brought more and more under its influence. Hence our daily prayer should be that the Lord would increase our faith, our love, our humility, our patience, and make us abound in all those fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the divine praise and glory.
Strange to say, some have denied the progressiveness of this important work. "We are told by certain people," says Mr. Jay, "that there is no such thing as growth in grace. As if Christians could not be more wise, more humble, more patient, more zealous—than they are. As if Paul's commendation of the Thessalonians was a falsehood, when he told them that their faith grew exceedingly, and the charity of everyone of them towards each other abounded. As if Peter enjoined an absurdity, when he admonished believers to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As if God himself mocked or trifled, when he said, 'The righteous shall hold on his way, and he who has clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.'" Let us, however, not merely believe the doctrine of progressive sanctification—but be anxious to realize it in our own experience. We shall thus be enabled practically to refute such an unscriptural notion.
O Lord; if the good work is commenced in my soul—carry it on by the effectual working of Your blessed Spirit. Deliver me from the power and practice of every sin—and incline my heart more and more unto Your testimonies. Enlighten my understanding; rectify my motives; elevate my desires; spiritualize my affections; and thus prepare me for that holy state where nothing which defiles can enter, and where all the pure in heart dwell forever in Your immediate presence.
Sanctification differs from justification in many respects, especially in its progressive character. We are as fully justified the first moment we believe in Christ as we shall ever be; such is the perfection of the act of justification, that it will not receive any addition—even in heaven.
But with sanctification it is far otherwise. It has, it is true, a completeness of parts, for in all its subjects every fruit of the Spirit is found, and a principle of resistance to every evil is implanted. Still the work, even in the holiest saint in the present life, is defective. He has to mourn continually over the remains of indwelling corruption, and at times he exclaims in bitter anguish, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
It is, therefore, a blessed thing for this sanctifying process to be carried on, and for all the powers of the mind to be brought more and more under its influence. Hence our daily prayer should be that the Lord would increase our faith, our love, our humility, our patience, and make us abound in all those fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the divine praise and glory.
Strange to say, some have denied the progressiveness of this important work. "We are told by certain people," says Mr. Jay, "that there is no such thing as growth in grace. As if Christians could not be more wise, more humble, more patient, more zealous—than they are. As if Paul's commendation of the Thessalonians was a falsehood, when he told them that their faith grew exceedingly, and the charity of everyone of them towards each other abounded. As if Peter enjoined an absurdity, when he admonished believers to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As if God himself mocked or trifled, when he said, 'The righteous shall hold on his way, and he who has clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.'" Let us, however, not merely believe the doctrine of progressive sanctification—but be anxious to realize it in our own experience. We shall thus be enabled practically to refute such an unscriptural notion.
O Lord; if the good work is commenced in my soul—carry it on by the effectual working of Your blessed Spirit. Deliver me from the power and practice of every sin—and incline my heart more and more unto Your testimonies. Enlighten my understanding; rectify my motives; elevate my desires; spiritualize my affections; and thus prepare me for that holy state where nothing which defiles can enter, and where all the pure in heart dwell forever in Your immediate presence.