05.25. Sanctification Through the Truth
Sanctification Through the Truth "Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth." John 17:17 A more solemn declaration of the veracity of Holy Scripture it is impossible to conceive, than that here given by Christ, "Your Word is truth." In the hour preceding His agony and death, speaking not to His disciples, but in the ear of His Father in Heaven, does He thus appeal to the Omniscient Jehovah: "Your Word is truth." Who shall doubt that which He who is the Truth thus asserts? Who that professes faith in Christ shall hesitate, in spite of ten thousand specious objections, to rely upon that pure Word, which is "as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times?"
Thus does Christ in one short sentence put His broad seal upon the inspired volume. For within scope of this saying He includes the whole Scriptures. Evidently does He include Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets, but He includes more. He includes the words that He Himself had spoken, and those which by the Spirit of truth the Apostles should hereafter utter or write. "I have given them Your Word." He prays for those who should believe on Him "through their word." He promises to them the Spirit of truth, that all which they should deliver, should be the truth as that which He had delivered to them. But what shall be the purpose of that Word which is truth? It is their sanctification, their entire consecration, their being set apart in holiness for His service.
Jesus had yielded up Himself as their Redeemer to suffer and to die for this purpose, that through the truth which He had delivered, they might dedicate themselves, all they were and all they possessed, to be holy unto the Lord.
"Sanctify them through Your truth." "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."
Through the Word, is wrought the great change of renewal into life. "Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word." "Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which lives and abides forever." "Receive with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save your souls."
Suggested by the expression, "the engrafted Word," we may illustrate the great change that is wrought through the Word by a process in gardening. You take a wild brier from the hedge-row, you plant it in your garden, and somewhere about July in the following summer you bud it. You take some two or three of the little germs that are bursting from a rose-bush which you value, you insert them one by one with care in the brier; then, if they take, the whole character of the tree is changed. Instead of the worthless brier you have that which adorns and beautifies your garden.
It is thus with God’s Word received into the heart. It may be but a short passage, such as "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;" but if it lies close enough, if it cleaves to a man and become one with him, it is forthwith the germ of a new life. The sinner becomes the saint, the worldling becomes the devout and obedient child of God, in some measure he resembles the rose of Sharon, the beauty of the Lord rests upon him, and he is made an ornament in the Church of Christ. But that Word, which by the Spirit is made the instrument of renewal and conversion, is equally necessary for the sanctifying of believers in holiness.
Christ had just before said to the disciples, "Now you are clean through the word that I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3.) Yet He also prays that they may be "sanctified through" or rather "in the truth." It was the atmosphere in which they must live, if they would abide and grow in holiness. And indeed what a holy atmosphere is that of the inspired oracles! They are well called by Paul "the Holy Scriptures." They are given to prepare for the Lord "a holy nation, a peculiar people." They tell of Him whom the angels sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." They set before us the example of Him who lived on earth, "Holy, harmless and undefiled." They reveal "the Holy Spirit," the Sanctifier. They give it as the purpose of our redemption, that we should walk "before God in holiness and righteousness all our days." They call men to be "holy, as God is holy," and declare that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord."
Then if we look at the matter more in detail, what numberless illustrations might be given of the sanctifying effects of the Word.
What backsliders have been reclaimed by such chapters as Jeremiah 3:1-25 and Hosea 14:1-9.
What anxious, doubting souls have been confirmed by such chapters as John 3:1-36; John 6:1-71. What sorrowful, suffering believers have been consoled by such chapters as John 14:1-31 or Hebrews 12:1-29.
How many a thought of repentance has been awakened by the example of the publican, smiting upon his breast and crying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" In how many faith has been brought into exercise by the petitions, "Lord, I believe — help my unbelief." "Lord increase our faith." In how many has there been a kindling of love to the Savior by that touching word, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." In how many hope has been quickened by the remembrance that "there remains a rest for the people of God." In how many evil tempers and passions have been restrained by the saying, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." Many a wrong word has been left unspoken through the assurance that "for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Many an unholy thought has been crushed by the Psalmist’s declaration, "You understand my thoughts afar off." Many a murmuring and impatient thought has been subdued by the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, "Nevertheless, not My will, but may Your will be done."
Prayers without end have been called forth by the record that Christ "went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God," and by the promise that "every one that asks receives, and he who seeks finds." Numberless praises have been offered through that song of joyful thankfulness, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name." In truth there is no sin but which been overcome, there is no grace which has been wrought or increased within the heart — but by some precept, some promise, or some narrative of Holy Scripture. And if at all times it is needful to be well acquainted with the whole truth as revealed in Holy Scripture — it is doubly so when we find on all sides false doctrine leading many astray from the simplicity of the faith of Christ. Be assured there is no safety for the soul, none whatever, in these days of controversy, but for each one humbly to search, and deeply to ponder the written Word, and moreover to be fervent in perpetual prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Let us hear from the Homilies, which ought carefully to be studied by every member of our reformed Church, a just commendation of the blessed effects of the study of Scripture:
"Let us diligently search for the well of life in the books of the New and Old Testament, and not run to the stinking puddles of men’s traditions, devised by men’s imagination, for our justification and salvation. For in Holy Scripture is fully contained what we ought to do, and what to shun, what to believe, what to love, and what to look for at God’s hands at length."
John Chrysostom says, "Whatever is required for salvation is fully contained in the Scripture. There is whatever is fit for all ages and for all degrees and sorts of men. These books therefore ought to be much in our hands, in our eyes, in our ears, in our mouths, but most of all, in our hearts. For the Scripture is the heavenly food of our souls; the hearing and keeping of it makes us blessed, sanctifies us, and makes us holy. Scripture it is a bright lantern to our feet; it is a sure, steadfast and everlasting instrument of salvation; it gives wisdom to humble and lowly hearts; it comforts, makes glad, cheers, and nourishes our conscience; it is a more excellent jewel or treasure than any gold or precious stone; it is more sweet than honey or honey-comb; it is called the best part, for it has in it everlasting comfort. This Word, whoever is diligent to read, and in his heart to print what he reads — the great affection to the transitory things of this world shall be diminished in him — and the great desire of heavenly things that are therein promised of God, shall increase in him. And there is nothing that so much strengthens our faith and trust in God, that so much keeps up innocence and pureness of the heart, and also of outward godly life and conversation, as continual reading and meditation of God’s Word." But if you would profit in this blessed duty, take heed above all things of mere surface reading, a superficial glancing over the page of Scripture, being content with knowing just the letter of the Word — most deadly is the peril of this. It makes a person regard the Bible as the least interesting of books. It covers the eye of the soul with scales that shut out all the joy and light that God would have us receive.
If you would avoid this, dig deep, break up ground, look beneath and within. Illustrate the precepts, by the histories of God’s servants. Illustrate the warnings, by the lives of the ungodly. Search out comparisons and contrasts. What is difficult, try to explain by what is simple and clear. Make a commentary on the parables, by getting hold of the truths they contain, and then putting side by side with them passages from the Epistles and elsewhere that have the same purpose. Strive to discover the principles that underlie the Levitical ordinances and God’s dealings with the Jewish people, and then see how they may be applied to your own case, or to the circumstances of the present day.
Never be in a hurry when you take your Bible in hand. Do not imagine it is necessary to get through a long chapter when your time is limited. Calmly, quietly ponder what you have read. "If you read once, twice, or thrice and understand not, cease not so, but still continue reading, praying, asking of others, and so still knocking, and at last the door shall be opened."
Thus will God send forth to you His light and His truth; thus will the Spirit discover to you mysteries only revealed to the humble seeker; thus will you find the pearl of great price, Jesus and His full salvation, to enrich and sanctify you forever.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord."
Oh, may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight;
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!
Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Oh be forever near!
Teach me to love Your sacred Word,
And view my Savior there.