In sanctification we are brought into union with Christ. (continued)
Sanctification 21S joined together, as well as holiness and happiness; therefore our Saviour prayed for Peter that his faith might not fail (Luke xxii. 32), and for His disciples (John xvii. 17), '"Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth."
The relation between justification and sanctification is this: our justification is owing solely to the merit of Christ, our sanctification to the operation of the Spirit. But both go together. None are cleansed from the guilt of sin and reconciled to God through Christ but those who are also sanctified by His Spirit. All who are made righteous in the sight of God are made holy by the grace of God.
5. UNION WITH CHRIST
In sanctification we are brought into union with Christ. "Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one" (Heb. w. 11). Christ is he that sanctifieth, he hath purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit; he is the head of all sanctifying influences. The Spirit sanctifieth as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are they who are sanctified, endowed with holy principles and powers, separated and set apart from mean and vile uses to high and holy uses and purposes; for so they must be before they can be brought to glory. Now Christ, that is the agent in this work of sanctification, and Christians that are the recipient subjects, are all of one.
How? Why: (a) They are all of one heavenly Father, and that is God. God is the Father of Christ, by eternal generation and by miraculous conception; of Christians by adoption and regeneration.
(b) They are of one earthly father, Adam. Christ and believers have the same human nature.
(c) They are of one spirit, one holy and heavenly disposition. The same mind was in them as was in Christ, though not in the same measure. The same Spirit informs and actuates the head and all the members.
6. THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE CHURCH So far we have been considering the sanctification of individuals. Now, finally, we turn to the sanctification of the Church. St. Paul in the Epistle to the Ephesians states with emphasis that Christ gave Himself for the Church that He might sanctify it in this world and glorify it in the next (Eph. v.
26, 27). He presents its members with a principle of holiness which will deliver them from the guilt, the pollution, and the dominion of sin. The instrument means by which this is effected are the instituted sacraments, particularly the washing of baptism, and the preaching and reception of the Gospel. "That He might present to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." Some think the apostle alludes here to the Jews' extraordinary great curiousness in their washings for purification. They were careful that there should be no wrinkle to keep the flesh from the water, and no spot or dirt that was not thoroughly washed. Others understand him as alluding to a garment come new out of the fuller's hand, purged from spots, stretched from wrinkles; the former newly contracted, the latter by long time and custom.
The Church in general, and particular believers, will not be without spot or wrinkle till they come to glory. The glorifying of the Church is intended in the sanctifying of it; and those only who are sanctified now shall be glorified hereafter.
Sanctification 217
SERMON OUTLINE
SANCTIFICATION
CHRIST'S PRAYER FOR HOLiness (John xvii) (a) 'The Grace Desired: Sanctification (i) That it might be confirmed (ii) That it might be continued (iii) That it might be completed (5) 'The means of Conferring this Grace: The Truth (i) This Truth is the Word of God (ii) This Truth is the instrument of the Spirit THe CuHurRcH's Pursuir oF Ho .iness (1 Thess. iv) (a) The Life of Purity
II.
(i) It is the will of God (ii) It is for our own honour (6) The Sin of Impurity (i) It is pagan in character (ii) It is an insult to God's holiness (iii) It is inconsistent with our calling (c) The Call to Holiness (i) The individual (ii) The Church