Untitled article by A. S. Hutchins

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 44.

Sanctification.—No. 2.

By A. S. Hutchins

THE sanctification recognized and enjoined by the Bible is not partial in application nor superficial in character. Its office is to change the entire man. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17.

Says Paul: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23. One sanctified "wholly," then, is sanctified spirit, soul, and body; and this must embrace the whole man.

I think it cannot be denied that the apostle in the prayer here quoted has special reference to the last church, certainly not if read in connection with the fourth chapter, verses 13-18, and in connection with the first verses of the fifth chapter. We, then, as a people, should be deeply interested in the subject, for in addition to the prayer for the entire sanctification, he adds, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." Here is positive proof that this work will be accomplished.

By the term spirit, in the text under consideration, we understand the apostle to mean the mind, the same as in Colossians 2:5. This, with all its God-given faculties and powers, should be consecrated to our Creator. The mind may be "carnal," "enmity against God," "not subject to the law of God;" or it may be such that with it we may serve the law of God.

It was not until Paul had so learned to reverence the will of God, and had brought his own will in subjection to it, as to enable him to meekly pen the truth, "so, then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God," that he could exclaim in joyful accents, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

And here we notice some of the faculties of the mind, all of which will bear unmistakable evidence of having experienced the work of sanctification, when the spirit shall be wholly sanctified.

1. We notice attention. The teacher, however much devoted to his work, or however faithful he may be, can do but little for his pupil till he can secure his attention. And it is no less true that we can know but little of God or his will concerning us till we give attention to his gracious calls; hence the repeated appeals of his word, "Hear, O Israel." "And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep and do them." Deut. 5:1.

2. Affections. These in the progressive work of sanctification, must be supremely set on God, his work, and on his law. Deut. 6:4, 5; Ps. 19:8-10. Affection brings the mind to bear upon the object of its choice. Affections, as they respect religion, have been defined to be the "vigorous and sensible exercise of the inclinations and will of the soul towards religious objects." Another says: "Now in order to ascertain whether our affections are excited in a spiritual manner, we must inquire whether that which moves our affections be truly spiritual; whether our consciences be alarmed, and our hearts impressed; whether the judgment be enlightened, and we have a perception of the moral excellency of divine things; and lastly, whether our affections have a holy tendency and produce the happy effects of obedience to God, humility in ourselves, and justice to our fellow-creatures."

Says the apostle, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Why is it so hard for some to part friendship with the world and become friends of God, to raise the affection above "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life"? Oh, they are not dead to the world! Their life is not hid with Christ in God; if it were, they would find objects of heavenly birth all glorious, attractive, and lovely for their affections to twine around, and fix their thoughts upon. They do not love the appearing of Him who is our life as they should, nor do they anticipate the day with joy when all the saints shall appear with him in glory.

"Bright are the crowns that we hope soon to wear, Blessed the rest, oh! we long to be there."

3. Meditation. This faculty of the mind has an important part to act in building up, solidifying, and balancing the mental man. Indeed, it may be said to be as important here, as are the digestion and assimilation of food to the physical system. Meditation "in religion is used to signify the serious exercise of the understanding, whereby our thoughts are fixed on the observation of spiritual things, in order to practice them."

As proper and healthful food tends to the development of a strong and vigorous body, so suitable matter for thought and meditation tends to the development of a wise and prudent mind. On this point we have some worthy scriptural examples and precepts. Please read Psalms 1:2; 63:6; 77:12. Again says David, "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."

Meditation upon the works of God fills the most profound mind, the loftiest aspirations, with admiration, delight, and untold joy. In all things, from the dewdrop that trembles upon the leaf to the vast expanse of the ocean's rolling waters; from the spire of grass or tiny flower to the towering mountains, the grand, stately trees of the forest, or the myriads of worlds which fill the immensity of space, we read of the handiwork of God, and as we read, every intelligent, devout heart joins with infinite wisdom in pronouncing them "very good." Yea, we anticipate the song of the redeemed and exclaim, "Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."

As Christian men and women, as ministers of the gospel, we should meditate upon our solemn work, and the preparation of heart to engage in it. The spiritual father of Timothy, in writing to him of his personal preparation for the ministry, his work, and his gift, exhorts him thus: "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." 1 Tim. 4:15.

4. Memory. This faculty of the mind presents to us ideas and views of the past and makes them real and present. If this faculty were sanctified, no doubt heavenly truths and divine things could be remembered much better. Persons of "such a poor memory" remember many things they should not. It is to be regretted that many, old and young, can remember so little of a subject they may read, or the nature of a sermon they may hear preached, which is one continuous chain of valuable thought. The apostle seemed to realize this when he wrote to his Hebrew brethren, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard." The aged and very feeble may not be able to remember as once they could, but if they have grown in grace so they have not "forgotten" that they were "purged from their old sins," they should be thankful and take courage, for the word of God profits them as it runs through the mind.

It is as lamentable as true that the great majority of professed Christians have so far forgotten the only commandment in the decalogue which contains the word and command "remember," as to entirely disregard the day that God blessed and sanctified, to keep in memory his creative works. They talk and sing of sanctification, claiming to enjoy it, and trample his Sabbath under foot, with his word blazing before them: "I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them." Eze. 20:12. We have shown that it is not the office of the Spirit alone to sanctify the believer.

5. Imagination. This ability certainly needs the moulding hand of sanctification laid upon it, for with many it is seriously inclined to make mischief in the family of faculties, in the household, and in the neighborhood, and it has been known to make trouble in the church. We have heard of it of old, and of its evil work. Gen. 6:5. The flood did not wash it from the earth (Gen. 8:21), but it can, by the grace of God, be brought in subjection and in obedience to the will of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5.

6. Judgment. The fear and service of God are not calculated to make man wild and fanatical, nor to unbalance him, taking his judgment from him. "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28. "A good understanding have all they that do his commandments." The fear of God, then, which leads to the keeping of his commandments, does not dethrone reason, but rather strengthens, informs, and sanctifies the judgment.

7. The will. This king of all the faculties may and must be brought to experience the power of sanctifying grace, or the work is but partially done on the mind; and when this is accomplished, the child of God can say with the suffering Redeemer, "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done." Luke 22:42. And again, "I seek not mine own will; but the will of the Father which hath sent me."

And this implies a submission and reconciliation of all the faculties of the mind to God. Unspeakably blest is the man brought to this state of communion with his Maker. Here may we work out our "own salvation with fear and trembling. For," saith the apostle, "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil. 2:12, 13.