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The Commentary

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 7, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 26.

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The Commentary.

SANCTIFICATION.

1. WHAT is sanctification?—It is a work of the grace of God upon the believing heart. 1 Cor. 6:11.
2. How does Webster define the term?—"Sanctification as applied to a moral agent, signifies to cleanse from corruption; to purify from sin; to make holy by detaching the affections from the world and its defilements, and exalting them to a supreme love of God."—Webster.
3. Is this work of grace necessary to salvation?—Yes, "the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God." See 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
4. Is sanctification enjoined in the Old Testament scriptures? "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the Lord your God." Lev. 20:7.
5. What is said on this subject in the next verse? "And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them; I am the Lord which sanctify you." Verse 8.
6. How do you reconcile the injunction, "sanctify yourselves," with the declaration, "I am the Lord which sanctify you"?—God has provided the means whereby we may be sanctified, and he requires us to make use of the same.
7. What is the will of God with reference to this important change? "Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:16-18.
8. How did the Saviour show especial interest for this work of grace upon the hearts of his disciples? "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." John 17:17.
9. What did he do in order that his disciples might be sanctified? "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." Verse 19.
10. What does the term "sanctify" here mean as applied to Jesus?—"I consecrate and devote myself to death."—Adam Clarke.
11. Did this prayer embrace any besides those who were his disciples at this time? "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." Verse 20.
12. Then if we are true believers, did not he pray for our sanctification?—Certainly.
13. Should any Christian be satisfied without growth in grace and knowledge in the Saviour? "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:17, 18.
14. How may our peace and happiness be greatly increased? "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2.
15. What does Peter say about adding to our faith? "And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Verses 5-8.
16. Into what state will we drift if we neglect a growth in grace?—The preciousness of the joy of pardoned sins will fade from the mind. Verse 9.
17. What unspeakable blessings are promised to those who ascend the ladder of sanctification as here set forth, till the last round shall have been reached? "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Verses 10, 11.
18. How did he speak of his duty to them and of their knowledge and decision? "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." Verse 12.
19. What caution is afterward given? "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness." 2 Peter 3:17.