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with the resurrection. We now propose to consider the teaching of one or two
passages in I John which shew (1) absolute, and (2) the progressive or responsible
aspect of sanctification.
"As He is."--Christ is the centre of all the purposes of God's grace. He is the author,
the perfecter, the goal. We have seen the connection between resurrection and
sanctification in our last paper. Likeness to our risen Lord is the theme before us now,
both during our sojourn here, and in that day when we shall be satisfied upon awaking in
His likeness.
First let us briefly "consider Him." "If we walk in the light as He is in the light" (I
John 1: 7). "He is in the light." Verse 5 declares that "God is light, and in Him is no
darkness at all." In the full blaze of the Shekinah glory our Saviour stands. Not only is
He there by the right of His own Godhead, but He is there because of the perfectness of
His atoning work. Nothing but absolute righteousness and perfect holiness could endure
the light in which our great advocate stands. Yet, fellow-believer, weak and failing as we
may be in ourselves, that and nothing less is our position in Christ.
Chapter 2: 29 tells us that "He is righteous"; 3: 3 tells us "He is pure," emphasizing
that which is involved in the statement quoted above--"He is in the light." I John 1: 7
commences with a "But if"; a condition is therefore attached. Before we consider the
conditional aspect, let us turn to the verses that reveal the absolute nature of the believer's
sanctification "in Christ."
"In this hath been perfected the love with us, in order that boldness we may have in
the day of judgment, that as He is we also are (though) in this world" (I John 4: 17).
God's love to us is the subject under consideration in the verse. The words translated
"in this," are of constant occurrence in John's epistle. In this very chapter they are
translated "hereby" (v.13), "herein" (5: 10), and "in this" (v.9). To what does the apostle
refer when he says "in this" in verse 17? Does he mean that God's love is perfected in
this--that believers shall have boldness in the day of judgment? Yes--and yet no--for
this but a part of the glorious goal. We believe the verse should be read as follows;--
"In this is the love with us perfected (in order that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment); that as He is so are we in this world."
The love is perfected in this that the believer in Christ is as He is. God Himself
knows no higher goal for eternity than that the believer shall be as his Lord, and when
these bodies of our humiliation are changed for bodies like unto the glorified Lord, then
perfect love will have found its goal. What "grace wherein we stand!" Every believer
equally perfect in Christ. The weakest as the strongest, the babe and the full grown, all
are equally and altogether complete in Him. There are no "ifs" here. This is no more
conditional upon our walk and life than is justification. Results will necessarily follow,
but let it always be remembered that they follow, not come before. He that is righteous
(in Christ) doeth righteousness (as a result).
"AS HE IS--WE ARE" (I John 4: 17).