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GOD’S WORD THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION
THERE is much despondency in the human mind, especially in reference to the great work of sanctification. There are many who wish to become holy; but they know not how: they would mortify sin; but they cannot: they would serve God in newness of life; but to attempt it, appears to them a hopeless task. The people of the world, if exhorted to give themselves up to God, do not hesitate to affirm that, in the existing state of things, it is impossible: and many who have begun to do this in their own strength, and found its insufficiency for so great a work, have given up in despair, and returned to their former state of carelessness and indifference. But, whilst we acknowledge the impossibility of serving God aright by any strength of our own, we must deny that it is altogether impracticable to fulfil his will. On the contrary, if any man ask, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” we are prepared to answer, that it may be done, “by taking heed thereto, according to God’s word.”
We have here,
I. A difficulty proposed—
“How shall a young man cleanse his way?”
If this question were asked in reference only to outward defilements, it would not be without its difficulties—
[Consider to what temptations a young man is exposed. Those which arise from within, are exceeding great — — — And they are continually strengthened by those occurring from without. Every thing he sees around him has a tendency to foster and to gratify some bad passion; whilst the examples on every side countenance and encourage the indulgence of it. To render evil the less formidable, every one agrees to strip it of its proper names, and to affix to it some gentle appellation that shall conceal its odiousness, and cast a veil over its deformity. Nay, as if it were not sufficient to cloke its malignity, many become its panders and its advocates, and endeavour to laugh out of the world all that squeamishness that betrays a fear of evil, and an aversion to the commission of it. Is it any wonder if young men, so circumstanced, fall into sin? or is it easy for them to keep their garments clean in such an ensnaring and polluting world as this? — — —]
But if the question be asked in reference to the sanctity which God requires, the difficulty will appear great indeed—
[It is not a Pharisaic righteousness, a cleansing of the outside of the cup and platter, that God requires, but real holiness, both of heart and life. We must seek to be “cleansed from secret faults,” as well as from those which are more open; and never account our end fully accomplished, till we are “pure as the Lord Jesus Christ is pure,” and “perfect as our Father which is in heaven is perfect.” But how shall a young man so cleanse his way? How shall he “mortify the whole body of sin,” keeping in subjection so many unruly appetites, correcting so many unhallowed dispositions, and putting forth into constant exercise so many heavenly graces as are comprehended in real piety? Indeed, we may ask, How shall young persons of either sex so walk before God? In respect of outward decorum, females, from the restraints of education, have a great advantage: perhaps, in reference to vital godliness also, they may be considered as more favoured than the other sex, because they have more opportunity for serious reflection. But real piety is uncongenial with our fallen nature; and to attain it is no easy task to any, of either sex, or of whatever age or quality or condition. The very names by which the divine life is described in Scripture sufficiently shew that it is neither attained nor exercised without great difficulty. A “race,” a “wrestling for the mastery,” a “warring of a good warfare,” all require much exertion; and not for a moment only, but till the victory is accomplished. It must be confessed, therefore, that a young man’s course is very difficult; that “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,” in which he has to walk; and that if ever he gain “the kingdom of heaven, he must take it by violence.”]
Happy is it for us, however, that we have, on divine authority,
II. The difficulty solved—
To the question asked, “How shall he cleanse his way?” the answer is given, even “by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” The Holy Scriptures afford, to every human being,
1. A sure directory—
[There may doubtless be particular cases, even to our dying hour, in which it may be difficult to discover the precise line of duty. But, for the most part, the way of righteousness is clearly defined; and it is our own blindness only that makes it appear intricate or doubtful. There is no corruption of the heart which is not there condemned, nor any holy affection which is not there delineated. There every thing is described in its proper colours: piety is exalted as the perfection of our nature; and sin is declared to be “an abomination in the sight of God.” The example of our blessed Lord also is there portrayed with the utmost exactness; so that, whatever doubt might obscure a precept, the true light is reflected on it, and a perfect standard is exhibited before us. It cannot be through. ignorance, therefore, that any shall err, if only they will make use of the light afforded them in God’s blessed word.]
2. Sufficient encouragement—
[There is not a precept in the whole inspired volume which is not made also the subject of a promise. God has engaged to “give us a new heart, and to renew within us a right spirit, and to cleanse us from our filthiness and from all our idols:” so that, however inveterate any lust may be, here is provision against it; and however arduous any duty be, here is sufficient strength promised for the: performance of it. How effectual the word is, when duly improved, may be seen in the general description given of it by the Psalmist: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward [Note: Psa_19:7-11.],” Here, whether in respect of direction or efficacy, its sufficiency for our necessities is fully declared. But yet more satisfactory is the declaration of St. Peter, when he affirms, that by “the exceeding great and precious promises of Scripture we may be made partakers of the divine nature, and be enabled to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust [Note: 2Pe_1:4.].” By the word, therefore, we may cleanse our way; not externally only, but really, truly, spiritually, and to the full extent of our necessities: so that the difficulty in our text is completely solved; and to the inquiry there made, we are prepared to answer, “Having these promises, dearly Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God [Note: 2Co_7:1.].”]
Address—
1. Let the Scriptures of Truth be studied by you—
[Do not form your standard by the opinions of men, or labour to cleanse your way by superstitious observances that have been devised by man; but look to the word of God as the proper rule of your conduct, and seek for holiness in the way that is there prescribed. Be careless in your way, and your ruin will ensue [Note: Ecc_11:9.] — — — But let the word of Christ dwell in you richly “in all wisdom;” and you shall find it the power of God to the salvation of your souls.]
2. Devote to piety your early youth—
[“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,” says Solomon. You must not stay till you are advanced in life before you “cleanse your way,” but engage in that work while yet you are “young.” In the appointment of the sacrifices which were offered under the Law, the lambs were to be but a year old: and in the first-fruits presented unto God for a meat-offering, special care was to be taken that “green ears” should be offered, “beaten out indeed of full ears,” but still green, and needing to be “dried with fire” before they could be ground to flour [Note: Lev_2:14-16.]. Does not this shew what use is to be made of our early youth? Methinks, it speaks powerfully: and I pray God that this day the greenest ears amongst you may be consecrated to the Lord, and receive from him some blessed tokens of his favourable acceptance. Let the youngest, who are as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word; and they shall grow thereby [Note: 1Pe_2:2.]:” and let the “young men have the word of God abiding in them; and they shall overcome the wicked one [Note: 1Jn_2:14.].”]
3. Live in the daily habit of self-examination—
[Inward and unperceived uncleanness will come upon you, if you be not always on your guard. A mariner may be drawn from his course by currents, as well as driven by winds: and therefore from day to day, he consults his compass and his chart, to see whether there have been any deviation from his destined path. The same precautions must be used by you. You must not only “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith,” but what progress you are making in the faith. Do this, beloved, daily, and with all diligence; so shall ye “be blameless und harmless, the sons of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, shining among them as lights in the world, and holding forth in your walk and conversation the word of life [Note: Php_2:15-16.]:” and be assured, that in so ordering your conversation aright, “you shall at last behold the salvation of God.”]