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November 19 Daily Devotional

Morning and Evening

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth” (John 17:17).

Bible Reading

John 17:14–19

Devotional

Sanctification starts in regeneration. The Holy Spirit infuses into a person that new living principle by which he becomes “a new creation” in Christ Jesus. This work starts in the new birth; and it is carried on in two ways—”mortification” (by which the lusts of the flesh are subdued and kept under) and “vivification” (by which the life which God has put within us is made to be a well of water springing up unto everlasting life). This is carried on every day in what is called “perseverance”—by which the Christian is preserved and continued in a gracious state. It is made to abound in good works unto the praise and glory of God. And it culminates or comes to perfection in “glory” when the soul, being thoroughly purged, is caught up to dwell with holy beings at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

But while the Spirit of God is thus the author of sanctification, yet he uses a visible agency which we must never forget. “Sanctify them,” said Jesus, “by the truth; your word is truth.” The passages of Scripture which prove that the instrument of our sanctification is the Word of God are very many. The Spirit of God brings to our minds the precepts and doctrines of truth, and applies them with power. We hear these in our ears, and receiving them into our hearts, they work in us to will and to do of God’s good pleasure.

The truth is the sanctifier, and if we do not hear or read the truth, we shall not grow in sanctification. We only progress in sound living as we progress in sound understanding. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). Do not say of any error, “It is just a matter of opinion.” No one indulges an error of judgement without sooner or later tolerating an error in practice. Hold fast the truth, for by doing so you will be sanctified by the Spirit of God.

[July 4]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.

 

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