Sanctification of Believers.
By S. P. Bollman
"Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." John 17:17. THERE are two distinct thoughts brought prominently to our notice in this text; namely, the sanctification of believers, for which Christ prays, and the instrumentality by which that sanctification is to be accomplished. The sweet singer of Israel tells us in Ps. 119:105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." A more comprehensive or strikingly true declaration cannot be found in the Bible. It represents the believer as being surrounded by darkness—a condition of extreme danger and peril, one from which he cannot move with safety without light and instruction as to the way. It implies, too, that the path of deliverance is narrow, and that on either side there are snares and dangers innumerable, to escape which would be impossible without this light. The further idea is that of a steady, brightly shining light, which makes the pathway very distinct along which the believer must run—fleeing for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before him. Heb. 6:18. The sanctification of believers is the great object to be accomplished. Says the apostle: "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." In the development of this sanctification, sufficient time is required to test the subjects as to their spirit of obedience. "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." Isa. 1:19. The purpose of God in regard to the sanctification of believers is abundantly set forth in the Bible. The apostle, in writing to the Thessalonians, uses this significant language: "But we are bound to give thanks alway 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. Every scripture bearing on this subject indicates not only the progressive nature of sanctification, but also the instrumentality by which the work is accomplished, viz., the truth. Sanctification consists in active obedience to the truth, not in any theory, not in doctrine. The truth may be intellectually comprehended; but it is not he who knows, but he who does the will of God, who is in process of sanctification. It is not he who understands what the essential doctrines are, but he whose life is an exponent of those doctrines. In sanctification all Christian graces shine with a beautiful distinctness, which enables those who take knowledge of the subjects of this grace to know that "they have been with Jesus and learned of him." The Lord designs "to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14. In short, the disciples of Christ are to be holy. "What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God?" 2 Pet. 3:11, 12. The instrumentality, then, in sanctification is the truth, the word of God, applied to the heart by the divine Spirit. Of the subjects of this work it may be truly said that they are "born again, not of corruptible seed; but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Pet. 1:23. In marked contrast with genuine conversion and progress in a life of holiness, stands out the superficial conversions so abundantly manifested in the church's history all along the ages. Spurious conversions result from ignorance of God's word. The feelings may be wrought up to great intensity, and individuals may think themselves sincere; but fruits of holiness will be sadly deficient if the work is not wrought in God. Feeling and excitement are often mistaken for conversion; but when trial and tribulation come because of the word, such converts are offended, and either go back to the world and walk no more with Jesus, or hang as dead weights on the cause which they profess to espouse. Bible knowledge of the way of salvation is something of which such as these have no proper conception; the word of God is not, and has not been the man of their counsel. But all who are being sanctified, and are manifesting this grand fact by a walk and conversation becoming godliness, are intelligently keeping God's commandments, directed by the divine word, with which they familiarize themselves by prayerful study. Their communion with God is sweet through the word, which does them good as it doth the upright in heart. They delight themselves in the law and testimony after the inner man. In short, they are sanctified "through the truth" by an intelligent conception of the truth,—a scriptural understanding of what the Bible teaches in regard to the way of salvation, and a ready obedience to all the divine requirements. Thus we have "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isa. 61:3. In setting forth the spiritual temple into which believers are builded, the idea of a beautiful perfection is made very prominent. Stones "polished after the similitude of a palace," indicative of the harmony and perfect symmetry manifest in the entire building, the complete holiness of every component part; "that he [Christ] might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Eph. 5:27.