October 20, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
HE WHO SANCTIFIES IS THE CAPTAIN OF SALVATION
“For both He that sanctified and they who are sanctified, are all one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren [that is, those who are sanctified by Him].” Heb. 2: 11, KJV.
He that sanctifies is Christ through the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead. That is why we are warned: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30.
“They who are sanctified’ are His brethren. [Christ never calls the unsanctified as brethren]. The ‘one’ is God. Though Christ is Son in a DIFFERENT sense from us, yet we have One Father. God’s intent is to ‘bring many sons to glory.
Christ is the Captain who leads His men to battle. [He Himself provides them the complete ‘whole armor of God.’]. They follow where He leads, and for this reason ‘He is not ashamed to call them brethren.’ They are proud of their Captain, and He is proud of them. Note how tenderly Christ speaks of His brethren:
“And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, ‘Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father who is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.’ Matt 12:49,50.
“Jesus sayeth unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.’ Luke 9:26, RV.
“Christ is not ashamed of us IF we are not ashamed of Him. But ‘whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in His own glory, and the glory of the Father; and to My God, and your God.’ Luke 9:26, RV.
“Sanctification is here presented not as theory but as a LIFE, that which makes Christ and His brethren ONE! Said Christ, ‘For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they ALSO may be sanctified through the TRUTH.’ John 17: 19. Christ sanctified Himself for a purpose: this purpose He declares to be ‘that they also might be sanctified [not merely ‘justified’ or forgiven]. He sets the example that others [who desire to be numbered among His brethren] maya follow.” (M.L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, pp. 98, 99.
Since Christ is the Captain, are you a bonafide member of His Team? Ponder upon this. Bless all, NMF