July 12

Morning

Sanctified by God the Father. — Jude 1:1

Sanctified in Christ Jesus. — 1 Cor 1:2

Through sanctification of the Spirit. — 1 Pet 1:2

“Sanctified in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1:2

“Through sanctification of the Spirit.” 1 Peter 1:2

Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk, who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if He were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son—so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit.

In deeds of grace—none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their works, as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source—they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit—yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still does Jehovah say, “Let us make man in our own image after our likeness,” and thus we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.”

See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without “spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.”

And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness—upon purity of life, and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us!

Evening

His heavenly kingdom. — 2 Tim 4:18

Yonder city of the great King, is a place of active service. Ransomed spirits serve Him day and night in His temple. They never cease to fulfill the good pleasure of their King. They always “rest,” so far as ease and freedom from care is concerned; but never “rest,” in the sense of indolence or inactivity.

The heavenly Jerusalem is the place of communion with all the people of God. We shall sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in eternal fellowship. We shall hold high converse with the noble host of the elect, all reigning with Him who by His love and His potent arm—has brought them safely home. We shall not sing solos but in chorus shall we praise our King.

Heaven is a place of realized victory. Whenever, Christian, you have achieved a victory over your lusts—whenever after hard struggling, you have laid a temptation dead at your feet—you have in that hour a foretaste of the joy that awaits you when the Lord shall shortly tread Satan under your feet, and you shall find yourself more than conqueror through Him who has loved you.

Paradise is a place of security. When you enjoy the full assurance of faith, you have the pledge of that glorious security which shall be yours when you are a perfect citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem. O my sweet home, Heaven! O happy harbor of my soul! Thanks, even now, to Him whose love has taught me to long for You; but louder thanks in eternity—when I shall possess you!

“My soul has tasted of the grapes, And now it longs to go Where my dear Lord His vineyard keeps And all the clusters grow.

“Upon the true and living vine, My famished soul would feast, And banquet on the fruit divine, An everlasting guest!”