"O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles"
(Psalm 43:3)
Introduction
The sanctifying power of God in us is not dependant upon the enlightenment of our spiritual understanding. What level of enlightenment would be expected of us if it were the case? How would we know that we had achieved it? Nevertheless, faith operates with greater certainty when the soul has become enlightened. Many believers are in confusion because they are not only ignorant of the devil's devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), of their own deceived heart and nature (Jeremiah 17:9), and of God's power to deliver them.
Souls in constant defeat
It is true to say that we are all at different levels of spiritual enlightenment and growing higher each day. But there are those who seem to be in a constant state of spiritual defeat. Why is this?
At the outset we must stress that there is no suggestion of them being unsaved. The new birth deals largely with the conscience and the will of the unconverted sinner. The "ego" or "I" is crucified with Christ, and the will is changed and made one with the Lord (Galatians 2:20.)
Sanctification on the other hand, deals, with that which is the "sin that dwelleth in me" (Romans 7:17.) It is that poison that still lurks in our desires, affections, memory, mind and imagination, frequently bringing the regenerate and transformed will again into spiritual bondage.
Not I, but sin
We all know that there is something in our hearts that does not sit well with the new nature. Those who have received the word of God realise their need of sanctification. Because the "I" has been crucified with Christ, it cannot be new transformed "I" but the sin itself that defeats us. Just as the virus in the body causes illness, so sin causes defeat. Just as the virus is not part of the human body, so sin is not part of the new body.
It is the "sin that dwelleth with" each one of us that sanctification aims to root out (Romans 7:20.) This sin manifests itself in "I won't," in "I can't," and in "I don't believe," the corrupting trinity of evil that poisons our whole nature.
If we are truly surrendered to Christ and are determined to follow Him faithfully, then the trouble is not with the will. Trying to use the will to correct and purify our hearts is of no use. The cleansing power must come from without, something outside of "I." That power is Jesus' blood, and it is faith alone that appropriates and applies it to our struggling and often defeated souls.
Christ came to destroy the devil's work
How can we get free from the evil that is still evident in our nature? First, we need to acknowledge that it was engrafted in us by other hands than our own. Satan, through deception, placed it there, but the Son of God came to destroy all of his works ... "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8.) Since we cannot rid ourselves of this sin, should we not simply trust in Him who can? Instead of struggling along in constant defeat, we will walk in the light and humble ourselves under God's mighty hand.
Personal responsibility
This may sound too easy, and as though we are shifting blame for sin. If it is not "I" then where does personal responsibility come in?
God does not hold us responsible for having an evil nature. The fact is, we were born with it. We did not choose to have it. Nevertheless, God does hold us responsible for retaining it, especially since He has provided the perfect means for cleansing of the soul. Only pride, sloth and unbelief hinder us receiving sanctification.
Conclusion
We must earnestly desire Christ to sanctify our hearts. It would be easy to deceive ourselves into thinking that, if it is not our fault, then there is nothing we can do. Doing so brings condemnation ... "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3"19-21.) We can believe that God will deliver us from the sin within and see Him complete His work in us.