Union with Christ the Only Way to Sanctification
T. Boston, D. D. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Consider Romans 7:4; John 15:5; Galatians 2:20. I. THE HOLINESS DERIVED FROM CHRIST. It is that disposition of heart and course of life which is conformable to God's holy law, and pleases Him. 1. True holiness is universal in respect of the commands of God (Psalm 119:6). A profane life is a sure evidence of a profane heart (Galatians 5:19, &c.). 2. True holiness is not only in external duties, but necessarily includes internal obedience of the soul to the will of God (Psalm 24:3). 3. In true holiness there is a bent, inclination, and propensity of heart to obedience. By Adam's fall the hearts of men got a wrong set (Romans 8:7; Hosea 11:7). Now, in sanctification it is bent the other way, towards God and godliness (2 Thessalonians 3:5), that as the needle in the compass, touched with a good loadstone, turns towards the north, so the heart, touched by sanctifying grace, inclines Godward and Christward. 4. As the love of God is the great comprehensive duty of holiness, love is the fulfilling of the law; so love runs through all the duties of religion, to give them the tincture of holiness (Hebrews 6:10). 5. True holiness is influenced by the command of God. The will of God is not only the rule, but the reason of a holy life (John 5:30). 6. True holiness has for its chief end the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). He that is the first cause of all goodness must needs be the last end of it. 7. Lastly, true holiness is universal as regards man. (1) Mortification is universal (Galatians 5:24). It is no true mortification where one lust is spared. (2) Vivification is universal (2 Corinthians 5:17). As when the body of Christ was raised there was life put into every member; so when the soul is raised to live the life of holiness, the image of God is repaired in all its parts, and the soul embraces the whole yoke of Christ, so far as it knows the same. So that sanctification sets a man on every known duty. II. THIS HOLINESS IS DERIVED FROM CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE GRAND DEVICE OF INFINITE WISDOM FOR THE SANCTIFYING OF AN UNHOLY WORLD. 1. God made the first Adam holy, and all mankind was so in Him (Ecclesiastes 7:29). 2. Adam, sinning, lost the image of God, so that all mankind are naturally dead in sin. 3. Man's sanctification by himself thus being hopeless, it pleased God to constitute a Mediator, to be the head of sanctifying influences to all that should partake of them. 4. Though by the death and resurrection of Christ the sanctification of His people is infallibly insured, as the corruption of all mankind was by the fall of Adam; yet we cannot actually partake of Christ's holiness till we have a spiritual being in Him, even as we partake not of Adam's corruption till we have a natural being from him. 5. As Christ is the prime receptacle of the Spirit of holiness, as the head of all the saints; so the continual supplies of that Spirit are to be derived from Him for the saints' progress in holiness, till they come to perfection. And faith is the great mean of communication betwixt Christ and us (Acts 15:9). III. USES. 1. Of information. This lets us see — (1) The absolute necessity of holiness. (2) In vain do men attempt sanctification without coming to Christ for it. (3) Unholiness ought not to stop a sinner from coming to Christ, more than a disease ought to hinder a man to take the physician's help, or cold from taking the benefit of the fire. (4) True faith is the soul's coming to Christ for sanctification as well as justification. For faith must receive Christ as God offers Him, and He offers Him with all His salvation. Now He is made sanctification. Wherefore the soul, being willing to take Christ with all His salvation, to be sanctified, comes to Him for it. 2. Of exhortation. Come then to Christ for sanctification, and note the following motives. (1) If ye be not holy ye will never see heaven (Hebrews 12:14). (2) Ye will never attain holiness if ye come not to Christ for it.(a) While ye are out of Christ ye are under the curse; and is it possible for the cursed tree to bring forth the fruit of holiness? (b) Can ye be holy without sanctifying influences, or can ye expect that these shall be conveyed to you otherwise than through a Mediator, by His Spirit? (c) Ye have nothing wherewith to produce holiness. The most skilful musician cannot play unless his instrument be in tune. The lame man, if he were ever so willing, cannot run till he be cured. Ye are under an utter impotency, by reason of the corruption of your nature.(d) If ye will come to Christ ye shall be made holy. There is a fulness of merit and spirit in Him for sanctification. Come then to the fountain of holiness. The worst of sinners may be sanctified this way (1 Corinthians 6:11). (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: WEB: But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: