THE RECEIVING OF THE WORD IS THE KEY TO HEARING THE WORD
"Sanctify, them thorugh thy truth; thy word is truth."
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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.
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.
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.
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.
received in the heart, they work in us to will and to do of God's good
pleasure.
I Thessalonians 2:13
"Because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us,
you received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth
the word of God."
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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.
the truth, we shall not grow in sanctification. We only progress in
sound living as we progress in sound understanding.
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"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalms 119:l05
(This was one of the first verse I learned to live by as a child)
..
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.
.
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.
.
Some insert comments by Charles Whisnant
Sermon preached at FBC 1994
