Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

power is equal to the task of working for and in us anything that is "exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think" -- "the power that worketh in us" instantaneously, in answer to prayer.
4. To our great surprise Dr. Mudge insists that there can be no growth in holiness after all
depravity is eliminated from our nature. He virtually makes remaining depravity a necessary
condition of soul growth. It seems to us that we may as well say that there can be no growth of the
plant or babe after it is saved from disease and deformity. And the divine record says expressly that
"Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God." It is true that after one is thoroughly
purified from sin and spiritual depravity he may not grow purer or any more healthy than one who
is perfectly healed of disease can grow in health. And yet, both may grow in strength and beauty of
character, and unselfishness of life, and, like our Lord, gradually approach the divine ideal of
manhood, and secure increasingly the "favor" or approval of God.
The life of the Christian is in the Scriptures compared to the course of the sun: "The path of the
just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." At the gray dawn the
king of day shoots his rays above the horizon into the darkness of receding night, with which they
mingle. At the roseate dawn those rays have almost conquered or dispelled that darkness. But when
he lifts his bright disk above the horizon all darkness flees before his full-orbed glory. Yet, as he
gradually mounts to the zenith, his shining increases to meridian splendor and power. There was a
mixture of light with more or less of darkness tip to the time of his rising, but none remained
afterwards. Yet the light became brighter and the heat intenser until he reached the maximum of his
glory and strength. So is it with the Christian. Under the dispensation of the Father "the Sun of
righteousness" shoots his rays into the darkness of men's minds, and dimly shines upon their
pathway. Under that of the Son those rays more nearly expel that darkness, while under that of the
Spirit they bid it all depart, leaving the mind full of light. Still this light may gradually increase in
glory and power in men's pure hearts and holy lives "unto the perfect day" of eternity. And it may
increase throughout that "day." Surely no one will say that any measure of darkness after the sun's
rising is necessary to his increase in the intensity and influence of his shining until he reaches the
meridian. Nor is there any need for the darkness of depravity in man's heart in order to his growing
up into the beauty and power and glory of a mature spiritual manhood.
But the Christian may grow faster in "knowledge" than he does in "grace" -- in light than in
strength The Sanctifier purifies the heart -- the motives -- so that there is no desire or impulse or
purpose contrary to love. But he does not perfectly repair the damage that has been done to man's
mental and physical powers. Hence Mr. Fletcher says:
"Christian perfection extends chiefly to the will, which is the capital moral power of the soul
leaving the understanding ignorant of ten thousand things."
When the will is fully surrendered and the Sanctifier takes full possession, that will is rectified
and the forces of the soul are unified by supreme an unselfish love, and are directed toward only one
end -- the glory of God and the good of man. But, while this purifying and anointing process tends
to clarify the intellectual atmosphere, it does not show us always what is for the glory of God and
the good of others and ourselves. This knowledge has to come from other sources -- the Bible,
nature, observation, etc. We grow in this knowledge as we study the Bible, science, history, etc. So