July 12

He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. - 1 John 3:7.

HERE the righteousness of sanctification is unquestionably intended, as in that Scripture, “The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.” The justified state of a man leads to sanctification of life; for “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away and all things have become new.” If we are justified by Christ we shall be sanctified through Christ.

The objective grace of God in the gospel will never be abused where the subjective grace of God is in the heart. Of what use is it to hold these doctrines, or any other in mere credence, if it be held at the same time in “unrighteousness?” The doctrine of justification by faith is misunderstood and misrepresented by the people of the world continually. They will have it that it leads to licentiousness, and that it is unfriendly to holiness and to good works; although the very Apostle who most fully set it forth has as fully proved the contrary, declaring that “the grace of God which bringeth salvation, teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world;” and hath enjoined upon all Christians, that “as he which hath called them is holy,” so are they to “be holy in all manner of conversation and godliness.”

They, after all, do furnish the best proofs that these doctrines of grace are friendly to and promotive of holiness and good works. In their shops men may see the justice and the fairness of all their dealings. In their houses see the cleanliness, the order, the harmony, and the affection that is there. See how the “husband loves his wife even as himself,” and how the wife “reverences her husband.” See how the parents “train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” while the children “obey their parents in the Lord.” See how masters “remember that they have a Master in heaven;” and how servants obey, and purloin not, nor answer again, that the doctrine of God our Saviour may be glorified. See how patient they are in suffering, how humble under honour, how liberal as wealth increases upon them, and so of the rest.

Oh, if all Christians did thus live, reproach would soon be rolled away, our hearts would be encouraged and our hands strengthened. Let us therefore be concerned to “let our light so shine before men, that they, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father which is in heaven.”