Morning   “Sanctify them through thy truth.”    John 17:17

 Sanctification begins in regeneration. The Spirit of God infuses into man that

new living principle by which he becomes “a new creature” in Christ Jesus. This

work, which begins in the new birth, is carried on in two ways–mortification,

whereby the lusts of the flesh are subdued and kept under; and vivification, by

which the life which God has put within us is made to be a well of water

springing up unto everlasting life. This is carried on every day in what is

called “perseverance,” by which the Christian is preserved and continued in a

gracious state, and is made to abound in good works unto the praise and glory of

God; and it culminates or comes to perfection, in “glory,” when the soul,

 being thoroughly purged, is caught up to dwell with holy beings at the right

hand of the Majesty on high. But while the Spirit of God is thus the author of

sanctification, yet there is a visible agency employed which must not be

forgotten. “Sanctify them,” said Jesus, “through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The passages of Scripture which prove that the instrument of our sanctification

is the Word of God are very many. The Spirit of God brings to our minds the

precepts and doctrines of truth, and applies them with power. These are heard in

the ear, and being received in the heart, they work in us to will and to do of

God’s good pleasure. The truth is the sanctifier, and if we do not hear

 or read the truth, we shall not grow in sanctification. We only progress in

sound living as we progress in sound understanding. “Thy word is a lamp unto my

feet and a light unto my path.” Do not say of any error, “It is a mere matter of

opinion.” No man indulges an error of judgment, without sooner or later

tolerating an error in practice. Hold fast the truth, for by so holding the

truth shall you be sanctified by the Spirit of God.

 

Evening  “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul

unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Psalm 24:4

 Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be feared

that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in

such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will receive

everlasting contempt at the last great day. If our hands are not clean, let us

wash them in Jesus’ precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God.

But “clean hands” will not suffice, unless they are connected with “a pure

heart.” True religion is heart-work. We may wash the outside of the cup and the

platter as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy

altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves

 than our hands are; the very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and

hence the imperative need of purity within. The pure in heart shall see God, all

others are but blind bats.

 The man who is born for heaven “hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity.” All

men have their joys, by which their souls are lifted up; the worldling lifts up

his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty vanities; but the saint loves

more substantial things; like Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up in the ways of the

Lord. He who is content with husks, will be reckoned with the swine. Does the

world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward and portion in this life; make

much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy.

 “Nor sworn deceitfully.” The saints are men of honour still. The Christian man’s

word is his only oath; but that is as good as twenty oaths of other men. False

speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall not enter into God’s

house, whatever may be his professions or doings. Reader, does the text before

us condemn thee, or dost thou hope to ascend into the hill of the Lord?