Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: May 11th

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.- John 17:19.

Believers have the strongest assurance of attaining the highest degree of holiness their souls are capable of enjoying, from a reconciled God, from an interceding Mediator, and from the influences of the Holy Spirit. How precious is every work of JESUS! Hath HE shed his blood to procure our pardon? Hath HE wrought out a righteousness to justify us? What then? Doth he commit a stock of inherent grace to us, to improve and be faithful to, in order to sanctify and consecrate ourselves to God? O no! ever be aware of this notion: it leads to pride, nourishes a spirit of independence on our head, makes faith void, vacates the office of the Spirit, and is therefore to be rejected as a dangerous heresy.

But, saith Jesus, "for the sakes of all my dear members, I sanctify myself." Not to the office of priest. This was by the call of the Father,- Hebrews 5:4-5 -not to make holy his human nature. He was sanctified by the Spirit,- Luke 1:35. But our Lord here speaks of his willingly becoming THE LAMB for a sacrifice, to take away the sin of the world. O, to this he most cheerfully set himself apart, consecrated himself to God for the sake of ALL his beloved members, according to the covenant of truth, the law of truth, and the grace of truth: and to this blessed end, "that they also may be sanctified through the truth."

Through this same truth, all the members of Jesus, being yet unborn, and having neither done good or evil, were to be sanctified, set apart, or consecrated unto God. Thus "Jesus suffered without the gate, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood."- Hebrews 13:12. "God chose them from the beginning, through the sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth."- 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Through belief of what truth doth the Spirit sanctify? Through the faith of JESUS, who is the TRUTH, they are sanctified to God,- Acts 26:18 -are made vessels for his use and to his glory. Poor drooping believer, thou feelest thy sins and corruptions, thou groanest under a body of sin and death, and therefore sayest, ’I am not sanctified, I have no part nor lot in this matter.’ What! believe the truth; believe in JESUS, and yet destitute of the sanctification of the Spirit? Impossible. As verily as Jesus hath consecrated thee to God by his blood, his Spirit hath sanctified thee through faith. "Abide in me," saith the Lamb; so wilt thou enjoy more fellowship with him, and be more conformed to his image.

Did Jesus sanctify himself

Because his members were unclean?

Then all who now believe in him,

Are freed from all the curse of sin.

We’re sanctified through the truth:

From hence no lie did ever spring:

But all will sure be liars found

Who dare to say, we have no sin.

There is one body and one Spirit. Ephesians 4:4.

St. Paul exhorts saints to a holy, loving, peaceful walk. He knew nothing could effect this, like the consideration, that they all composed one body, of which the holy, loving, peaceful Jesus is the head. While the power of this truth lives in the heart, love prevails in holiness before God and peace with our brethren. Then, in sweet fellowship, we say, with Abraham to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee-for we are brethren.” (Genesis 13:8.) There is one body. Saith our Lord, “A body hast thou prepared me.” (Hebrews 10:5.) As Christ had a natural body, formed by the power of the Holy Ghost, which he was to inhabit, in which he was to atone for sin, fulfil all righteousness, and make intercession for transgressors; so he has also a mystical body, chosen and given him by God the Father: in and over all these he is head. This is a sweet word. “God gave Christ to be Head over all things to the church, which is his body.” (Ephesians 1:22.)

Believing sinner, art thou a member of his blessed body, united to this ever precious, ever glorious Head? Envy not monarchs. Covet not more. Study thy dignity. Live like thyself. Glory in thy Head. Look down with contempt, on all things below Christ and heaven. There is one Spirit. He flows from the Head: hath united us to the Head. Makes us like the Head; and causes us to rejoice in the Head. For Christ is all, and in all his members. By this one Spirit he animates, guides, and comforts them. Learn hence, (1st.) to love and praise God, for the gift of Jesus, to be all things to us. (2d.) To glory of, and rejoice in Christ our Head, who has done all for us, and is all to us. “For in him we are complete.” (Colossians 2:10.) (3d.) Give glory to the loving Spirit, who convinced us of sin, shewed us Christ, united our hearts to him by faith, and causes us to look to, live upon, and be comforted by Jesus, our covenant Head. (4th.) Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace between Christ and his members. Saints’ strifes are Satan’s sport; they grieve the Spirit, and distress our minds. As we expect to live together with our Head above, let us follow the things which make for peace, and wherewith one may edify another below. (Romans 14:10.) The power of this faith, of being one with Christ, is most amazing. It works by the love of Christ, produces love to him, and to all his members, as being one in him. Lord, increase our faith!

United unto Christ our head,

By the dear Spirit’s pow’r,

We feed on him our living bread,

And wait his coming hour.

‘Twill not be long before Christ come,

We hear our Bridegroom’s voice;

He made us one, he’ll take us home;

My soul, in this rejoice.