Sanctification

BEARING OF THE LAW OF GOD ON THIS SUBJECT

By the law of God we mean the law that is commonly designated as the moral law, and which prescribes to men their religious, and social duties; in other words, “their duties to God and to each other” (Webster); the law which is based in the nature of God, and in the nature of man, and which is composed of those obligations, that grow out of the relations that we sustain to God, and to our fellow-creatures; the law that God proclaimed in person on Mount Sinai, in the hearing of all Israel, his chosen people, and wrote with his own finger on stone; the only public address that God ever made to his people, with the exception of the declaration, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 4:17; the law of which Christ says, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle, shall in no wise pass from the law,” Matthew 5:17, and that the remnant church will be found keeping, while the dragon’s wrath will be stirred against them, Revelation 12:17, and for the keeping of which, the last blessing in the Bible is pronounced by Christ, as follows: “Blessed are they that do his (the Father’s) commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city,” Revelation 22:14. Let us see the bearing that this law has on the subject. And SLH 116.1

1. We have seen that sanctification consists in cleansing from sin; and “sin,” says the beloved apostle, “is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. SLH 117.1

2. In our unsanctified state we are the servants of sin, but in proportion as we are sanctified we become the servants of righteousness; and David says, “All thy commandments are righteousness.” Psalm 119:172. SLH 117.2

3. Sanctification is effected through the truth, and the Saviour says, “Thy word is truth.” Now no portion of the Scriptures can with more propriety be called the truth, and God’s word, than the law of God, which proceeded out of his mouth. Says the Psalmist, “Thy law is truth.” Psalm 119:142. SLH 117.3

4. Sanctification is a progressive work, and the necessity of advancing in the knowledge of the truth. Now the law of God is so comprehensive that it affords to all an opportunity to progress in holiness, and advance in the knowledge of right and wrong, which is indispensable in sanctification. Those who have meditated impartially, and without prejudice on the law of God, have not failed to notice its comprehensiveness. Says Thomas Scott, “This law which is so comprehensive, that we cannot measure it.” See Commentary. Bishop Hopkins on the ten commandments, published by the American Tract Society, says, “There is no duty required, nor sin forbidden by God, but it falls under one, at least, of these ten words.” Again, he says, “The words are few; but the sense and matter contained in them is infinite, the rest of Scripture is but a commentary upon them, either exhorting us to obedience by arguments, or alluring us to it by promises, warning us against transgression by threatenings, or exciting us to the one, and restraining us from the other, by examples recorded in the historical part of it. All those precepts which are dispersed in the Scriptures, and which concern the regulating of our lives and actions, although not found expressly mentioned in the decalogue, may yet very aptly be reduced under one of these ten commandments.” H. H. Dobney (Baptist minister) of England, says, “These (the ten commandments) are illustrated, and their extensive bearing shown, by many other precepts which are scattered through the Scriptures. But there is not a single injunction or prohibition (of a moral kind we mean, of course, not referring now to the ceremonial law given to the Israelites, which has another explanation), which is not referable to one or the other of these commandments, and included in it.” See Future Punishment, by H. H. Dobney. This point will be more clearly seen as we advance in our investigation. David must have realized its truthfulness when he said, “I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy covenant is exceeding broad.” Psalm 119:96. By reading this Psalm we see that David is dwelling upon the law of God’s mouth, verse 72, and the subject of this entire chapter is the law of God. SLH 117.4

5. The last church will be sanctified through the last message of mercy, viz., the third angel’s message; and the law of God constitutes a prominent part of this message. SLH 119.1

6. Sanctification covers the whole man; and so does the law of God. The second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth commandments refer directly to the actions and words, and consequently relate to the body; but these commandments not only have to do with the actions and words; for the whole law is spiritual, Romans 7:14, reaching the spirit or mind, regulating the thoughts, desires, and affections. Those precepts which forbid the external acts of sin, forbid likewise the inward thoughts, desires and motions of sin in the heart. The Saviour makes this point very clear in his remarks on the law, in Matthew 5. See also 1 John 3:15. Again, the same precepts which require the external acts of duty, require also those holy thoughts and affections that are suitable thereto. But the tenth precept, “Thou shalt not covet,” might serve as a key to all the commandments, by showing that they extend to the heart. SLH 119.2

The law covers the senses; for first, it is by the means of some of the senses, at least, that it reaches the mind. Again, men sin with their senses; and with their senses men should keep the law. Again, those senses which group around the appetites are regulated by that portion of the law that governs the appetites, viz., the seventh commandment. That this commandment has to do with our eating and drinking is not only seen by reflecting on the bearing that eating and drinking has on the passions, but also by reading Hebrews 12:16: “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” SLH 119.3

Sanctification requires that we exercise our working faculties; so does the fourth commandment. “Thy work,” which is specified in the fourth commandment, must include, at least, sufficient physical exercise to promote health. SLH 120.1

Sanctification relates to the life, and makes it obligatory upon us to care for our lives and health, that we may employ them to the glory of God; so does the law of God. This law may be called the law of life, not merely from the consideration that life is bestowed for keeping it, but also because it is so adapted to the wants of our natures, that by keeping it we will, as a natural consequence, live longer than we would by breaking it. Let the reader read each of the ten commandments with reference to this point, and see if our assertion is not correct. But the sixth commandment, in particular, regulates our course with regard to preserving life and health. It is one of the negative precepts, and not only prohibits the sin of destroying our lives, and the lives of others, but it includes the injunction of the contrary duty, viz.: to make use of all proper and available means to ameliorate and preserve health, and prolong our existence and the existence of others. SLH 120.2

That the law governs our tongues not only appears from the third and ninth commandments, but also from testimonies on the law in the New Testament. The first testimony that we will notice is James 2:12: “So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” The law that the apostle here alludes to, is that law which said, “Do not commit adultery. Do not kill.” Verse 11, in connection with marginal reading. The fact that we are to be judged by this law is the grand motive that should lead us to take heed how we speak and act; therefore this law must determine how we should speak and how we should not speak. SLH 120.3

Again, James 4:11: “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one law-giver who is able to save and to destroy; who art thou that judgest another?” It is evident from this passage that he that speaks evil of his brother and judges his brother (accordingly, of course), not only violates the law, but virtually sets himself as a judge of the law, and a lawgiver by approving what the law disapproves. But “there is but one lawgiver,” etc. French Trans. SLH 121.1

1 Peter 4:11: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” By reference to verses 7 and 17, it is seen that this text applies when the end of all things is at hand, and the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God. At this time the duty to speak as the oracles or commandments of God (see Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), is made particularly forcible by the fact that light is shining on the commandments, and they are better understood. If we speak according to these commandments, we shall speak right words with respect to God and our and concerning all that pertains to them. SLH 121.2

Sanctification has to do with the affections, and requires us to love God supremely, and our neighbor as ourselves; and so with the law of God. We cannot keep the first four commandments as they should be kept, without loving God supremely; neither can we keep the last six commandments without loving our neighbor as ourselves. And we cannot love God as we should without loving what God loves and hating what God hates (as far as our knowledge extends); and if we love what God loves and hate what God hates, we will love all righteousness and hate all sin. SLH 122.1

Bodily cleanliness is a duty enjoined in sanctification; and of the seventh commandment Mr. Dobney, who appears to have bestowed much thought on the law of God, says, that it includes in the prohibition every kind and degree of impurity. But if any will refuse Mr. Dobney’s exposition, and deny that the seventh commandment prohibits all physical impurity, they are requested to bear in mind that physical uncleanness is detrimental to health, and is therefore condemned by the sixth commandment. SLH 122.2

7. Sanctification is a character work. But a rule or law is necessary to the development of character. We can form no definite idea of a person’s character except we compare it with a rule of right, with something that will determine right from wrong. Now the law of God is the very rule that shows us what is right, and that determines right from wrong. Again, all those excellencies which enter in the formation of a perfect character, establish the law. They can be traced to the law of God. SLH 122.3

8. In sanctification we are to follow the example of SLH 122.4

Jesus, who did no sin and kept his Father’s commandments. 1 Peter 2:22; John 15:10. SLH 123.1

9. We are sanctified through the death, merits, and intercessions, of Christ. But Christ died for our sins, which are the transgressions of the law, and that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 8:4, and intercedes in harmony with his death. SLH 123.2

10. We are sanctified through faith, of which Paul says, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. SLH 123.3

11. Sanctification is called the sanctification of the Spirit, because the Spirit is the great agent that God employs in sanctifying men. But the Spirit enforces the truth and convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment, which could not exist without the law. Again, the Spirit helps us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which very clearly establishes the law. For what are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance but excellencies which prove that the law is in force? The law is grounded in love and grows out of love. Love made it and love enjoins it. The object of it is to make us love. It takes love to keep it, and those who keep it will love. The law brings joy and peace to those who keep it. David could say, “Thy law is my delight,” and, “Great peace have they that love thy law.” Psalm 119:77, 165. Longsuffering is opposed to impatience and wrath, which are traced to the violation of the law. Gentleness, goodness, meekness and temperance are also fruits growing out of keeping the law. And even faith as we have seen, establishes the law. This position is also strengthened by the fact that the works of the flesh, which are opposed to the fruit of the SLH 123.4

Spirit are traced to the violation of God’s law. See Galatians 5:16-23. SLH 124.1

12. Do holy angels that excel in strength, help in sanctification? They do God’s commandments, Psalm 103:20, and labor in harmony with the Spirit. SLH 124.2

13. Has God set gifts in the church for the perfecting of the saints? These gifts are the gifts of the Spirit, and work under the influence and direction of, and consequently in harmony with, the Spirit and good angels. SLH 124.3

14. We are sanctified through trials and corrections. And why are we tried and corrected? Of course it must be for the same object for which the Spirit helps our infirmities, viz., that we may be purified and bear the fruit of the Spirit. But Paul says that God chastens us “for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:10, 11. God’s holiness that we are to be partakers of through chastening is composed of his imitable perfections, which shine gloriously in his law. To illustrate: God is said to be holy, perfect, righteous, just, good, etc., 1 Peter 1:16; Matthew 5:48; Psalm 119:137; Revelation 16:5; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 25:8; the same is said of his law, Romans 7:12; Psalm 19:7; Deuteronomy 4:8; Psalm 119:106; Nehemiah 9:13; and those who keep the law will bear its characteristics. But David’s experience is to the point. He says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.” Psalm 119:67, 71. The subject of the Psalmist being the law of God, we see that he was afflicted that he might learn and keep God’s law. God in love whips up his wayward children to their duty in this respect, as earthly parents correct their children that they may obey their requirements. SLH 124.4

15. Self-examination is an important branch in sanctification. We examine ourselves that we may see our defects, which are so many deviations from the law. Therefore the law of God is indispensable in self-examination. It is the grand mirror in which we should look to see our characters. “Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25. SLH 125.1

16. When the Bible shows that it is possible to overcome, and attain to holiness, we should understand that it is possible to keep God’s law, that prescribes the way of holiness, and by which is the knowledge of sin, which is the great enemy that we overcome as we keep the law of God. Must we repent, believe, and be baptized, pray, etc., that we may overcome? The fact that these duties are obligatory upon us is strong evidence that the law exists, and should be kept. For what is repentance, but a turning away from sin? and what need is there of turning away from sin, if the law is not binding and should not be kept? Again, why should we believe on Christ for the remission of sin if there is no law? for where no law is, there is no transgression, Romans 4:15, and where there is no transgression, there is no need of remission. Paul uses baptism as an argument, to show that we should not continue in sin. Romans 6. Baptism not only shows that Christ died and rose again, but that we are dead to sin, that we have been slain by the law, Romans 7:7-12, that we have repented of our sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of the same. SLH 125.2

Whatever we do to overcome, establishes the law. All that is enjoined upon us in the Scriptures establishes the law. All that God does to help us overcome shows that the law is in force, and that God’s great object in helping us, is to bring us back in obedience to his holy law. If there is no law, as some contend, then there is no room for repentance, faith, baptism, prayer, and the various other duties that we have to perform to obtain help from God, and attain to holiness; then there is no room for the death and intercessions of Christ, and the healing fountain; for there is no need of grace, no occasion for the death and intercessions of Christ, nothing to heal; then Christ should not be our example, and we should not imitate what we have thought to be the loveliest character that ever dwelt among men! Then away with the Christian graces, and the fruit of the Spirit; men may think, act, and speak as they please; they may let their appetites and passions have full sway, and usurp the authority of enlightened reason; they may cherish idleness, effeminacy and uncleanness as virtues, and violate the laws of their beings; they may lavish their best affections on trifles, and keep their weakest affections for their Creator! they may speak of, and address their Maker irreverently, and curse their fellow creatures made in the image of God; in other words, they may with unbounded liberty and congratulation break any or all of God’s commandments! Then let all the messengers of the cross hush their voices in silence, on those topics which have engrossed their minds, and led them to labor and suffer in vain, and give up their commission, confessing their error; let them cease to beseech the sinner with accents of pity to be reconciled to God, and flee from wrath to come; and let all who believe in the gospel of Christ act accordingly; let the Holy Spirit and good angels cease to act their part in the so-called sanctification of men, and return to the courts above, confessing that they have learned a better way; and let Satan and the wicked rejoice; for there is no law, no such a thing as sin, and no necessity for sanctification and salvation. SLH 126.1

This is by no means our belief, yet it shows the inconsistency of those who, while they lay much stress on faith, repentance, and other Christian duties, and extol Christ, the Christian graces, and sanctification, oppose the law of God. Do our Antinomian friends extol faith, repentance, sanctification, etc.? This is all right. But by so doing they virtually extol the law of God. Sanctifications stands or falls with the law of God. SLH 127.1

We are now prepared to see the force of the following conclusion from the wise man: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14. SLH 127.2