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In Harmony with His Law, August 11
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe
it with my whole heart.
Psalm 119:34
.
In the new birth the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is
brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken place
in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness,
from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty....
Erroneous theories of sanctification, ... springing from neglect or rejec-
tion of the divine law, have a prominent place in the religious movements of
the day. These theories are both false in doctrine and dangerous in practical
results; and the fact that they are so generally finding favor, renders it doubly
essential that all have a clear understanding of what the Scriptures teach
upon this point.
True sanctification is a Bible doctrine. The apostle Paul, in his letter
to the Thessalonian church, declares: “This is the will of God, even your
sanctification.” And he prays: “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly”
(
1 Thessalonians 4:3
;
5:23
). The Bible clearly teaches what sanctification
is and how it is to be attained. The Saviour prayed for His disciples:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (
John 17:17, 19
).
And Paul teaches that believers are to be “sanctified by the Holy Ghost”
(
Romans 15:16
). What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Jesus told His
disciples: “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into
all truth” (
John 16:13
). And the psalmist says: “Thy law is the truth.” By
the Word and the Spirit of God are opened to men the great principles of
righteousness embodied in His law. And since the law of God is “holy,
and just, and good,” a transcript of the divine perfection, it follows that
a character formed by obedience to that law will be holy. Christ is a
perfect example of such a character. He says: “I have kept my Father’s
commandments.” “I do always those things that please him” (
John 15:10
;
8:29
). The followers of Christ are to become like Him—by the grace of
God to form characters in harmony with the principles of His holy law. This
is Bible sanctification.
This work can be accomplished only through faith in Christ, by the
power of the indwelling Spirit of God.
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