"Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:"
(Hebrews 3:7-8)
Introduction
We have looked at the Necessity, the Nature, and the Way of Sanctification, but now we must know when it actually becomes ours. When can we enter the land of rest from inbred sin, and receive the abiding Comforter in our hearts?
Now
This blessing is available to God's people at this very instant. There is no need to wait or to put it off until another day. Is there any reason for delay? It all depends upon if we are willing to hear God's voice speaking this word into our souls, and if we are tired of the ungodliness in our
lives.
The sole condition
The sole condition, after the Holy Spirit has convinced us of our sin, is faith. If it is simply by faith, not faith and consecration, then the opportunity for sanctification is offered to us now.
Let us consider the following two quotations, first from John Wesley, and then from John Fletcher, whom Wesley believed to be the saintliest man since the days of the apostle John.
John Wesley said, "Look for it every day, every hour, every moment; why not this hour, this moment? Certainly you may look for it now, if you believe it is by faith; and by this token you may surely know you seek it by faith or works. If by works you want something to be done first, before you will believe; you think I must first obey, or do thus and thus: then you are seeking it by works unto this day. If you seek it by faith, you will accept it as you are, if as you are, accept it now. Accept it by faith, accept it as you are, accept it now."
John Fletcher is even more emphatic. "Fight the good fight of faith, break through all temptations, dejections, wandering worldly thoughts, all unprofitable companions and the backwardness of an unbelieving heart, and a carnal mind. Struggle till you touch Jesus and feel healing, comforting virtue proceeding from Him, and when you know clearly the way to Him, repeat and
touch till you find He lives in you by the powerful operation of His Holy Spirit. You must also remember that it is your privilege to go to Him by such a faith now and every succeeding moment, and that you are to bring Him nothing but a tired, distracted, tossed, hardened heart, just such an one as you have now."
Speaking to those who still disbelieve that they can receive sanctification this instant, he adds, "Here lies the grand mistake of many miserable but precious souls; they are afraid to believe lest it should be presumption, because they have not yet comfort, peace, joy, love, etc., not considering that this is to expect the fruit before the tree is planted. Beware then, of expecting any grace previous to believing."
We speak not of easy believism
We have stated that faith is the sole condition for receiving this glorious experience, but it is not the kind that is cheap, it is not easy believism.
The faith we refer to is a mighty force wrought in us by the Holy Spirit. He enables us to lay hold upon Christ as our sanctification and full redemption. We cannot receive anything from God without true faith ... "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Conclusion
What is our reaction when Christ asks, "Wilt thou be made whole?" (John 5:6.) Will it be one of faith to receive or doubt that will leave us barren?
In our closing thoughts on sanctification we will consider the conditions under which a living, effective faith can operate the ground work of our believing unto a full salvation.