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I. THE BLESSING FOR WHICH CHRIST INTERCEDED — sanctification. This work is —

1. Divine. The Holy Spirit implants the first principle of holiness in the soul, and by His continued influences it is maintained and strengthened. "Not by works of righteousness," &c.

2. Internal. The chief seat of man's moral disease is the heart. It is necessary that these springs of action should be purified before true holiness can be exhibited in the life.

3. Practical. The heart being changed, corresponding effects will be seen in the conduct. Holy principles will lead to holy practices.

4. Progressive. It is compared to the progress of light. "The path of the just," &c. At one period the Christian may resemble the tender blade; at another, the ear; till, under Divine influence, he appears as the full corn in the ear, ripened for glory. But though the work of sanctification is progressive it is not always uniform. There are seasons when the path of the Christian is like the sun in a dark and cloudy day, and others when it appears bright and cheerful. Sometimes he may resemble the corn checked by the frost of winter, and at others the same corn revived by the gentle showers and warmer influences of the returning spring.

5. Will eventually be complete in the happy abode of "the spirits of just men made perfect."

II. THE MEANS BY WHICH SANCTIFICATION IS PROMOTED.

1. It is by the Word of truth that the work of sanctification is commenced. By this the mind is first enlightened and the heart renewed. The entrance of it giveth light, and while it enlightens it animates and purifies.

2. The Word of God is the perfect standard of holiness. It presents a right rule of action, adapted to every period and circumstance in human life.

(1) All its doctrines are calculated to promote holiness. Are the people of God "from the beginning chosen to salvation"? It is "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Are they "called"? It is "with a holy calling." Are they "reconciled to God by the death of His Son"? It is "that they may be presented holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight." Will they eventually be glorified? They will "receive an inheritance among them that are sanctified."(2) The precepts of the Word of God are in harmony with its doctrines. "As He who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy."(3) To encourage us in the pursuit of holiness the promises of God's Word are given. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you," &c. "Having therefore these promises," &c.

3. The Word of truth presents most powerful motives to the pursuit of holiness. It appeals to the best feelings of the renewed heart. The love of Christ shed abroad in the heart renders sacrifice easy and duty delightful.Conclusion: We may learn from the subject —

1. The absolute necessity of holiness.

2. The importance of acquiring correct and enlarged views of Divine truth, and of earnestly seeking the influences of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and to sanctify the heart. The Word of truth and the Spirit of truth are inseparably connected.

3. The importance of self-examination, and the awful condition of the unsanctified professor.

(Congregational Remembrancer.)

Thy Word is truth. — By truth is meant that which sustains, answers expectation, and never disappoints; which is ever found to be consistent with reality. Falsehood or error, on the other hand, is that which is empty, vain. It does not sustain; it disappoints, and does not correspond with the real.

1. The truth concerning the external world, its phenomena and laws, is that which represents what really is, what may be relied upon.

2. So with the truth concerning the internal world of mind.

3. The truth concerning God.

4. The truth concerning our relation to God. By the word of God is meant —

I. ANY REVELATION OF GOD. A word is a revelation, an outward manifestation of thought. In this sense creation is a word of God. And all that it makes known of Him — His ways, character, will — is truth. It accords exactly with what God is, and what it teaches may therefore be relied on. The world is not a phantasm, but what it reveals itself to be, and never disappoints those who rely upon its teachings. The foundation of this reality is that it is God's word, and must be studied as such.

II. THE REVELATION OF GOD IN THE SCRIPTURES. In that sense the text means that the Scriptures are true. All they teach concerning God, man, the Person and work of Christ, the future life, &c., is true. Everything conforms to what is real, and may be relied on. Those who assume the Scriptures to be true, and act upon them, will attain the end they promise. Those who assume that what they teach is false, and act accordingly, will find out their mistake. Conclusion: It is an unspeakable blessing —

1. To know what is truth and where it may be found.

2. To have the truth made accessible to us.

(C. Hodge, D. D.)

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KJV: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

WEB: Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.