Read: I John 1:5-7
If we walk in the light as he is in the light… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).
The Witness Of The Word
Dr. Orval J. Nease tells of his mother’s experience as she sought to be sanctified wholly. He says: “Mary Storey, wise altar worker that she was, began to quote scripture to aid Mother’s faith. Putting an Old Testament portion with a New Testament selection, she quoted, ‘Whatsoever toucheth the altar is holy … the altar.., sanctifieth the gift.’ It was the avenue of assurance Mother needed, and with firm confidence she said, ‘That being true, on the authority of God’s Word, I am sanctified.'”
This authority of God’s Word is a second tributary to our stream of assurance. We always do business with God upon the basis of our faith in His promises. One of these promises is our text: “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we [God and I] have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
To walk in the light means to be fully obedient to all of God’s known will for us. When we do this, God has promised to sanctify wholly to cleanse us from all sin. Our assurance of sanctification is in proportion to our faith in God’s promise. If we are inclined to be doubtful and hesitant, we have little assurance. When we boldly claim the promise and assert our faith, we have the witness of God’s Word that the work has been accomplished in the soul. There can be no more reliable evidence than the promise of God; when conditions are fully met, the work is done.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
— George Keith