Wholly
Sanctified: Body, Soul, and Spirit
The
very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thess. 5:23
The sanctification set forth in the
Sacred Scriptures has to do with the entire being--spirit, soul, and body. Here
is the true idea of entire consecration. Paul prays that the church at
Thessalonica may enjoy this great blessing. "The very God of peace
sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess.
5:23....
True sanctification is an entire
conformity to the will of God. Rebellious thoughts and feelings are overcome,
and the voice of Jesus awakens a new life, which pervades the entire being.
Those who are truly sanctified will not set up their own opinion as a standard
of right and wrong. They are not bigoted or self-righteous; but they are
jealous of self, ever fearing, lest a promise being left them, they should come
short of complying with the conditions upon which the promises are based....
Bible sanctification does not consist in
strong emotion. Here is where many are led into error. They make feelings their
criterion. When they feel elated or happy, they claim that they are sanctified.
Happy feelings or the absence of joy is no evidence that a person is or is not
sanctified. There is no such thing as instantaneous sanctification. True
sanctification is a daily work, continuing as long as life shall last. Those
who are battling with daily temptations, over-coming their own sinful
tendencies, and seeking for holiness of heart and life make no boastful claims
of holiness. They are hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Sin appears to
them exceedingly sinful.
* * * * *
Genuine sanctification ... is nothing
less than a daily dying to self and daily conformity to the will of God.
From My Life Today - Page 248
