"Now
ye are clean through the word which I have spoken"
(John 15:3)
Introduction
John Wesley, commenting on this text, writes, "Ye are clean - All of
you, to whom I now speak, are purged from the guilt and power of sin; by the
word - Which, applied by the Spirit, is the grand instrument of purifying the
soul."
A
very important truth
Our faith in God, the finished work of Christ on the cross, and the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is real because we believe the written word of
God ... "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God" Romans 10:17.) By hiding His word in our hearts, appropriating its
promises, and using it to resist the devil, we can reach the goal of
sanctification .... "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not
sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11.)
After we have stepped out on the promise, burned our bridges behind us, God has
a further work to do through His word.
The
Word of Confirmation
We could call this being sealed with the word. God always seals His work
with His word. There are several instances of this found in Scripture. Here are
just a few:
1. The Prophet Isaiah. When Isaiah realised his own unworthiness as he stood
before the throne of the thrice-holy God, he cried, "Woe is me! for I am
undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people
of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts"
(Isaiah 6:5.) The angel touched Isaiah's lips with a burning coal from off the
altar and said, " Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is
taken away, and thy sin purged" (Isaiah 6:7.)
2. The woman with an issue of blood. She came and touched the hem of Jesus' robe
and "felt in her body that she was healed of that plague" (Mark 5:29),
but Jesus did not want her faith to be in experiences, because experiences fade
quickly, rather He wanted her to have a word of confirmation to trust in. He
said unto her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and
be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5:34.)
3. The leper. He sought the Lord out of desperation, yet he still had faith in
the power of Christ. Jesus touched him and he was healed of the disease, but the
word of sealing was spoken to him. Jesus said, " I will; be thou
clean" (Mark 1:41.)
In these instances the miracle was sealed with a spoken word from the Saviour.
Should not we desire such confirmation too!
Come
believing
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the
glory of God by us" (2 Corinthians 1:20.)
Come boldly; wait humbly; believe simply; take freely: but when you have expect
to have the work of God sealed by His word. Until then, wait believing in what He
has done.
The following little sentences have been a blessing to many:
What
I give God takes.
What He takes He cleanses.
What He cleanses He fills.
What He fills He seals.
What He seals He uses.
Conclusion
It is our faith, not our understanding, that will lead us slowly, but surely
along the Highway of Holiness. As we go we can trust in His promise and expect
His word of sealing. There may be tears and storms along the way, but God always
sets His bow in the clouds after the rain. Determine to walk by faith as you
follow the call to sanctification.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6.)
Simply trust God to get the work done!