Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.- John 17:17.
Thus prayed our great High Priest on earth. What he asked in his humiliation, is founded upon the word and will of his Father; and he hath power to effect in his exaltation. Hence we have the fullest assurance of the perfect sanctification of all his members. Hence the desires and breathings of souls after holiness are encouraged; and the prayers of the faithful gather the strongest confidence of success.
While our beloved expresses his affectionate concern for his people’s salvation, we see an equal regard for the honor and glory of his Father’s word. Love for holiness, and love of the truth are inseparable. As the gospel prevails in the heart, holiness is increased. It is first life, then liveliness in the soul: it is the ministration of the Spirit in the sanctification of the spirit. Whatever working we find of the Spirit in the heart, it is by the word of truth. The life of believers is from Christ, who is the TRUTH; therefore increasing light, refreshing comforts, stronger affections shall abound, and all by that same law of grace and truth, whereby the soul was at first converted to the faith of Jesus. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes."- Psalms 19:7-8.
There is a peculiar glory in the order of salvation, "God hath chosen us from the beginning (before the foundation of the world) to salvation." But how is this made manifest? only "through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth."- 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Thus faith and holiness flow from electing love. So every word of God’s truth is prized; and the fulfilment of every promise is expected. We love the truth, because it discovers God’s most ancient love to us in Christ: it reveals Christ’s righteousness to us for our justification; revives our hearts with the knowledge of pardon by his blood, and the certainty of full sanctification and perfect glory through his intercession. So Jesus prayed-so we believe-so poor sinners are saved. Saved, unspeakable mercy! saved from the power of sin and the prevalence of pride. Happy the heart where the love of holiness prevails agreeable to the word of truth.
Dreadful delusion! when the truth is held in unrighteousness; or zeal for holiness is contended for, while the truths of electing love, Christ’s righteousness, his members’ certain salvation are opposed and denied. Glory to the Father for his everlasting love. Glory to Jesus for his justifying righteousness and atoning blood. Glory to the Spirit; for his sanctifying influences will ever be ascribed to them by truly sanctified hearts. "What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."- Matthew 19:6.
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Isaiah 40:1.
(1st.) Who are the people of God? “I am of that number,” saith one; “for I feel my heart is full of comfort, as ever it can hold.” It may be so. Then, this text is not for thee. But it will do thee no harm to examine into the nature of thy comforts, the tendency of them, and how thou contest by them. Saith another, “I am sure I cannot think myself one of the people of God.” Why not? “Because, instead of the comforts of God’s children, I have continual sorrows and conflicts, am oppressed by Satan, harassed with temptations, groan under a body of sin and death, and dread, after all, that I shall perish in my sins, through unbelief. Thou art the very person, one of the happy number of the Lord’s people, of whom he here speaks. He describes his people as poor and afflicted, who trusted in his name. (Zephaniah 3:12.) What is his holy and blessed will concerning you? Why, (2d.) That you should be comforted. He knows your sorrows, He sees you want comfort. He, therefore, commands it to be administered unto you. This is a commission, peculiarly directed to the Lord’s ministers. I am not honoured with that high calling; yet the Lord may graciously condescend to administer comfort, by means of so weak and mean an instrument as I. For St. Paul says to private Christians, “Comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18.) Therefore, it is our duty. The Lord succeed us in it! Mind then, thou poor sorrowful sinner, who art afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted: behold, thy Lord is mindful of thee. Take notice of the love of his heart; the sounding of his bowels over thee; and the vehemence with which he speaks concerning thee-Comfort, comfort. Thou hast sorrow upon sorrow in thyself. Here is comfort upon comfort from thy Lord. He is the God of all comforts. He would have thy soul to be comforted. Nay, look not within to find any cause why thy Lord should have such love to thee, or concern for thee. The cause lies in his own loving heart. He freely gave his Son for thee; he freely promises his Spirit to thee; he commands comforts, comforts to be spoken to thee. Now, wilt thou go and indulge thy besetting sin of unbelief, and say, after all this, “My Lord careth not for me; he hath forgotten to be gracious unto me?” O! rather bring that bosom-sin of unbelief to thy Lord. Beg of him to slay its power, that it dishonor him no more by disbelieving his precious word. For he saith, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion upon the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will not I forget thee.” (Isaiah 49:15.)