Sanctification
J. Davies. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:… I. DISTINGUISH IT FROM RELATED TERMS. From — 1. Regeneration is once for all done, and is the beginning of holiness, whereas sanctification is its progressive advancement. One is the implantment of holy principles and affections; the other their issue in a holy character. 2. Justification, while it does now exclude the present, has special reference to the past, while sanctification is chiefly directed to the present and the future. The one is something done for us, the other something done in us. The one is a change of relation, the other a change of character. The one implies pardon, the other purity. 3. Morality. This may exist without sanctification, as is seen in the lives of many worldly men. But sanctification cannot exist without morality. Morality is not to be disparaged; but there is no perfection without Christ. II. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY SANCTIFICATION? Religion implanted in the heart and conspicuous in the life. 1. "The kingdom of God is within you." Christianity begins in the heart, and forms the life by forming the dispositions. It works from centre to circumference. It does not consist in having, but in being. 2. Its fruits will always be apparent. Grace in the germ is hidden, but it is always manifest in the life. It is a light that shines, a fire that burns. How grace grows is a mystery; but when grown it is read and known of all men. Your life as to its source and supply is "hid with Christ in God"; but as to its practical effect, it is "a city set on a hill." III. ITS CAUSE. 1. The ultimate cause is God the Holy Ghost. Men may fashion a block of stone into the figure of a man, so admirably that the sculpture seems to look, and breathe, and speak; but it is not a man. It is merely an image; it wants life, which no created power can give. So it is here. Spiritual life in all its stages is a direct inspiration from God, and impossible without such inspiration. And He who gives life alone can sustain it. 2. The instrumental cause is truth. "Of His own will begat He us," etc. "Sanctify them through Thy truth." Sanctification is the effect not of the separate, but conjoint influence of the Holy Spirit in the heart, and the Word on the understanding, the one removing prejudice, the other dispersing ignorance. IV. SANCTIFICATION IS A PROGRESSIVE AND HARMONIOUS WORK. 1. Where there is life there will be progress — in vegetation, physically, mentally, and spiritually, and in each case gradually. 2. This is a progress that affects the whole manhood, a harmonious development of an entire Christian character. Just as in the healthful growth of a tree there is growth, not only of the roots but the shoots, branches, foliage, and fruit; so in the Christian the development is not of one grace, but of all. There is much diversity. Grace does not produce uniformity in the human character; but still the finest specimen of a Christian is the man in whom all graces are in their proportion. 3. Its beginning is here, but its progress forever. Heaven begins on earth, and earth merges into heaven. V. SANCTIFICATION IS THE WILL OF GOD. Not simply the command, but the good pleasure of God. 1. It is necessarily so. He who is Light cannot love darkness; He who is Life cannot love death. 2. It is wrought in harmony with the nature of the human will. God works in what we have to work out. 3. What an encouragement is this! In all our struggles after goodness we may be sure of Divine sympathy and help. 4. With what solemnity does this invest the subject, for it follows that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. (J. Davies.) Parallel Verses KJV: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: WEB: For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,