The Commentary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 14, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 27.

The Commentary.

SANCTIFICATION.

1. WHAT is the condition of man in his fallen state? "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Rom. 3:19. See Eph. 2:12.

2. What is made necessary by this condition?—The change called justification and sanctification.

3. Who have the promise of seeing God? "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8.

4. What Scripture shows that unholy men will never be admitted into the presence of God? "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Heb. 12:14.

5. Is holiness attained by an inward work of God's grace or by works of righteousness? "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Ps. 51:6, 7. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:5.

6. How may it be shown that faith is a prerequisite to justification and sanctification? "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

7. How may it be proved that obedience also is necessary? "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Heb. 5:9.

8. From what scriptures does it appear that the Holy Spirit is an agency in the work of sanctification? "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." 2 Thess. 2:13. Also Rom. 15:16, last clause.

9. What else is necessary to salvation?—Belief of the truth. See above.

10. Through what agency did Christ pray that his followers might be sanctified? "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." John 17:17.

11. What does Peter testify on this point? "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." 1 Peter 1:22.

12. How does David speak of the word of God? Ps. 119:105.

13. By what means may the young cleanse their way? "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." Verse 9.

14. From what do all need to be cleansed?—From sin.

15. What is sin? "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.

16. Where is the law,—the commandments of God,—called the truth? "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth." "Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth." Ps. 119:142, 151.

17. Can one have a true view of the character of sin, who disregards the law of God?—No. See Rom. 7:7; 3:20.

18. What does James say about this law of liberty? "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Jas. 1:25. "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." Jas. 2:12.