The Sanctification of the Holy Spirit (and others)

The Sanctification of the Holy Spirit (and others)

"God has chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

To sanctify, is to separate and set apart for holy purposes and holy uses. The Lord separated His people, by choosing them in Christ to be holy; and He sanctifies them now for Himself - by the power, operation, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

In sanctification, a work is commenced which is to make us exactly like Christ. A sanctified person has...

his heart changed,
his will changed,
his will renewed,
his understanding enlightened,
his conscience purified, and
his affections spiritualized.

Sanctification extends to the whole man, soul and body, and is carried on through...

the Word,
the ordinances, and
the providence of God.

Sanctification has its seat in the heart; but it regulates the whole man, and appears in his conduct in every day life. If a man experiences the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, then...

sin grieves him,
satan tries him,
the world troubles him,
and Heaven attracts him.

Spirit of Jesus, sanctify us deeply, thoroughly - that we may be just like Jesus! Sanctify us...

by every trial,
by every affliction,
by every privilege,
by every comfort!

~James Smith~
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One Truth, Brought Home to the Soul By the Holy Spirit

We do believe the truths of God's Word - but we need to make them bear more upon our experiences and practice. Our religion is too much in the head - and too little in the heart! Truth rather floats in the understanding - than sinks down into the soul. Our memory lets it slip - and nothing but frequent meditation on these things, will cause us to profit by them. The truths of God's Word are calculated and intended to benefit the Lord's people - but unless we exercise our minds upon them - we shall not be benefited by them.

One truth, brought home to the soul by the Holy Spirit, and digested by meditation - does us more good than volumes which just pass through the mind! We ought, therefore, to pray more over what we read - and look to the Holy Spirit,beseeching Him to unfold and apply the truth to us!

~James Smith~
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The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit!

"To all those in Rome, who are loved by God and called to be saints" (Romans 1:7).

Believers are separated from the world by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit calls them out from the world, and separates them as effectively as if a wall were built between them and it. He puts in them....

new hearts,
new minds,
new tastes,
new desires,
new sorrows,
new joys,
new wishes,
new pleasures,
new longings.

He gives them...

new eyes,
new ears,
new affections,
new opinions.

He makes them new creatures. They are born again - and with a new birth they begin a new existence. Mighty indeed is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit!

~J. C. Ryle~