The Sanctifying Word Question #2: What is the instrument used to accomplish this sanctifying work? The Holy Scriptures are the efficient instrument of sanctification. Holiness of life is produced by the means of divine revelation. This is the instrument that effectually qualifies a man for use in the Master’s service. No other source will accomplish this work. At this critical point there can be no room for any competitors in the thinking of the disciples. For example, the legalistic inventions of the Jews would not accomplish the work of sanctification. Nor will their modern-day moralistic counterparts. Moralism may initially restrain, but it will never sanctify. The sophia of the Greeks would not produce sanctification in the lives of these men. Nor will their modern-day psychological counterparts. Psychology may initially relieve, but it will not sanctify. The ecstasies of the mystery religions would not effect sanctification in the disciples. Nor will their modern-day charismatic counterparts. Ecstatic experiences will most assuredly produce excitement, but they will never sanctify. One instrument produces sanctification in the people of God: the sacred Scriptures. Furthermore, note that in establishing the efficacy of the Scriptures Jesus does not say, "Thy word is true," He says, "Thy word is truth." That is to say, Jesus uses the noun "truth," not the adjective, "true." "Surely this is an insignificant semantical difference," one might suggest. But such is hardly the case. "Well," one might continue, "isn’t it legitimate to contend that the Bible is true?" Of course it is. But the Bible is more than true. The Bible is truth itself. Were Jesus to say, "Thy word is true," a clear thinking person might wisely respond, "On what basis can You claim that the Bible is true? What is the standard of measurement against which the truthfulness of the Scriptures might be tested?" To merely assert that the Bible is true is to imply that there is a higher standard of truth to which the Bible itself must conform. But when Jesus says, "Thy Word is truth," He is not only making a case for the reliability and accuracy of the Bible, He is contending that the Bible itself is the ultimate definition of what is true, and that every other claim to truthfulness must be measured against it. What is the purpose of this standard of truth? To produce sanctification in God’s people. Consider what the Bible says about its own sanctifying effects: The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Ps. 19:7-11). The Word of God is the instrument of sanctification. How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; do not let me wander from Thy commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee (Ps. 119:9-11). The Word of God is the instrument of sanctification. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless (Eph. 5:25-27). It is the Word of God that will beautify the Bride of Christ for her wedding day. The Word of God is the instrument of sanctification. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Ti. 3:14-17). According to the Apostle Paul the Word of God is the instrument that leads to salvation and produces sanctification. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. For, ‘All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord abides forever.’ And this is the word which was preached to you. Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation (1 Pe. 1:22--2:2). The Apostle Peter stresses that the Word of God is the efficient instrument of both regeneration and sanctification. Why is it essential that individual Christians read the Scriptures consistently? Why is it important that they discipline themselves to study, memorize, and meditate upon the Word of God? Why is it, in this day of drama and concerts and support groups and holy laughter, that Christians should subject themselves to a steady diet of expository preaching which seeks to draw out the meaning and implications of the sacred text? Why is it essential that the men who lead in a local congregation be men who are skilled in the handling of the Scriptures? The answer to all of these questions is the same: because the Word of God is the divinely ordained means by which the people of God are sanctified. To be sure, other techniques may initially arouse greater enthusiasm and boost attendance. The problem with this, however, is that it confuses the experience of pleasure and carnal satisfaction with the experience of authentic sanctification. Consequently, the criteria for determining the means most suited to spiritual growth becomes subjective and negotiable. For this very reason, the consistent exposition of the Word of God is a rare experience in our day, while music and drama have become the dominant forms of Christian communication. Moreover, in our dummed-down culture where people have grown accustomed to the pervasive influence of television, church leaders are told that people can only concentrate for a period of about twenty minutes. Therefore, any attempt at effective communication needs to be brief and highly stimulating. Unfortunately, at this point, the evangelical church has capitulated to the culture rather than resist and confront it. To the contrary, when a pastor aspires to present his people to the Lord Jesus Christ as a pure and chaste virgin he will not trifle with the religious novelties of his day. He will resist the pressure to succumb to the techniques of the culture, which may, when implemented properly, give evidence of a certain kind of success. Rather, he labors indefatigably as a workman in the Word, confident of its instrumentality in the work of sanctification. He prays unceasingly that his people would bring the ravenous appetite of King David to the Scriptures: Thy word I have treasured in my heart ... (Ps. 119:11). I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches (Ps. 119:14). Thy testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors (Ps. 119:24). O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day (Ps. 119:97). How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Ps. 119:103). I love Thy commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold (Ps. 119:27). Thy testimonies are wonderful ... (Ps. 119:129). I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Thy commandments (Ps. 119:131). Seven times a day I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances (Ps. 119:164). |
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