"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance"
(Matthew 3:8)
Introduction
Some people will never understand the truth about the need of sanctification, because they have allowed their hearts to become hardened by sin. There are others who are simply not prepared to walk the pathway of holiness at the present time.
Before God deals with the evil within a man, or he by faith believes in Him for the purifying of the soul through the blood of Christ, there has to be real and practical repentance. God will not deal with the inward evil until we have dealt with the outward in repentance.
Unrepented sin
Is it not obvious to us all that seeking inward cleansing, and the fullness of the Holy Spirit is utter foolishness and hypocrisy if we harbour unrepented sin. Therefore, practical repentance is an absolute must if God is going to do His work in our lives.
We must deal with unrepentant sin first. We ought to return that borrowed book, forgive the person who has wronged us, and stop doing those secret things we know offends God.
Do the first thing first
There is no doubting that we are extremely interested in the theory of sanctification and the doctrine of the higher life, because the Holy Spirit is drawing us deeper into the truth. But first the Lord wants us to attend to the everyday issues of the lower life.
It is impossible to see the reality of inbred sin and its destruction through the blood of Christ until by God's grace we have obeyed His voice and put away the evil. If we would but seek His face it is certain that we would soon be made aware of the dismal condition of our hearts.
Obedience is not sanctification
We must beware of thinking that we have the blessing just because we have obeyed God. We may feel spiritually exhilarated after obeying God's commandments, but let's be careful about congratulating ourselves prematurely. There is sometimes that feeling of peace and rest that follows repentance and obedience, but that is not all the Lord wants us to receive.
As those who want to walk on the Highway of Holiness, we must go on to perfection, which God has promised to work in us and for us to enjoy.
Conclusion
The high points of our Christian experience are when we repented and got right with the Lord, when we dealt with that besetting sin once and for all, or won the victory over that unforgiving and bitter spirit. Yes, we can account for many blessings too, but did they not come because we got our house in order through repentance? It is by His grace that God straightens us out and cleanses our hearts from inward sin. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6.)