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From Here to Forever
abound, and multitudes join the church who have never been united
to Christ.
What Is Sanctification?
Erroneous theories of sanctification also spring from neglect or
rejection of the divine law. These theories, false in doctrine and
dangerous in practical results, are generally finding favor.
Paul declares, “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.”
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.” And Paul teaches that believers
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are to be “sanctified by the Holy Ghost.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3
;
John
17:17
;
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.”
Since the law of God is “holy and just and good,” 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.
Only Through Faith
This work can be accomplished only through faith in Christ,
by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. The Christian will
feel the promptings of sin, but he will maintain a constant warfare
against it. Here is where Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness
becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims: “Thanks be
to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57
.
The work of sanctification is progressive. When in conversion
the sinner finds peace with God the Christian life has just begun.
Now he is to “go on unto perfection,” to grow up “unto the measure
of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” “I press toward the mark for