A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH

ARTICLE XXIV

Of Man’s Sanctification and Good Works

Articles 21 through 26 of our Confession of Faith speak about Christ and the benefits which He has mertied for His church. In His humiliation He merited these benefits and in His exaltation He applies them. These benefits can be divided into those given in time, which are calling, justification and sanctification, and those given after this life, which are resurrection, the last judgment and eternal life.

In the article which we are presently considering there is spoken about sanctification, which is a benefit in this life. It is the work of God’s grace, whereby those whom He for Christ’s sake adopts as His children, are also renewed by His Spirit to a people who find their greatest joy in His service and who desire to live according to His commandments. The word “sanctification” does not have an important place in the Bible, as we find it only five times in the New Testament. However, in the Old Testament, the words “to sanctify” are often used. The word sanctification is often described in God’s Word as a walking in the paths of the Lord, a keeping of His institutions, the necessity to circumcise the heart, to deny ourselves, to take up the cross, to bear the fruit of conversion, etc.

We find the word sanctification only in the heading of the twenty-fourth article. That which in dogmatic terms is called sanctification is often referred to in the forms of unity as the regeneration, renewal, quickening, raising to new life, etc.

What we have written above about sanctification is not to minimize it, for God’s Word says that without sanctification nobody will see God. It is often explained completely wrong and misapplied. You then hear—”It is only out of free grace for Christ’s sake that we are saved, and no merits on our side have any value. Christ is given to sanctification also, and therefore we don’t have to worry about it. It is all outside of man, as is also the whole work of salvation. Even the perseverance of man is in God’s hand!” We may not deny this, but neither may we forget the responsibility of man for all his deeds. You can feel the great danger that there can be in such a doctrine when it is not rightly explained. The apostle has warned against those who taught a continuing a sin that grace might become greater. And on the other side he has warned against the danger of a loose life.

But there is also another danger, and that is when sanctification is too much emphasized so that we begin to seek life in our good works. Then in a good external life according to God’s law, our works can become a part of salvation. This we must also warn against so that we do not deceive ourselves. Sometimes we hear objections when the doctrine of Rome is condemned or the false doctrines of other churches are spoken against, but that is our duty. The Lord Jesus warned against the false doctrine of the Pharisees and scribes, and the apostles also have not been silent about such things. The watchmen must warn against the dangers which there are. And this is also true with sanctification, with its dangers on two sides.

True sanctification does not flow out of the will of man, but it is a work of the Lord. As Christ is the justification of His church, so He is also given to sanctification and deliverance. He frees or delivers His children from the ruling power of sin over them and in them. In justification the guilt of sin is taken away; in sanctification the pollution of sin and the inner corruption is removed. Both benefits flow out of Christ.

The Lord calls His people to sanctification. This people have I formed to tell My praise; they have to become conformed to the image of His Son. This we find in Ezekiel 36:26-27: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments and do them.” Paul taught the Corinthians that there cannot be a sanctification without Christ, saying that he who is in Christ is a new creature.

You can now understand that sanctification is not only an external blameless life, a faithful church attendance, a confession, and a going to the Lord’s Supper. The external keeping of God’s commandment is good and it is our duty, but it is no foundation upon which to rest.

We must also remember that justification, of which we spoke before, is different from sanctification, but there is a close relationship, just as Rev. Hellenbroek explains it. When the question is asked, “Is there any difference between justification and sanctification?”, the reply is, “Yes: (1) Justification is an act without, but sanctification within us. (2) Justification removes the guilt, and sanctification the pollution of sin. (3) The act of justification is complete, but sanctification, during this life, is not complete.”

There have always been people who have tried to separate these two benefits. John Wesley viewed sanctification as a second change after justification. The Methodists explain it as a benefit given later. Some go so far as to say that a sinner who is regenerated and justified by the Lord, but is not sanctified, is still lost. They explain sanctification as a moment that a change comes in our lives, and not as something which must be seen as commencing from the moment of regeneration. You can understand that this is not according to the Scriptures, and therefore must be condemned.

I have not come to the explanation of this article itself, but hope to do this in our next article, D.V. But yet one remark about sanctification, which is a renewing of the whole man. Why is this a subject which is so much neglected in our midst? Why don’t people like to hear about sanctification? The reason has in the first place an historical basis; we come out of the church of Rome, which makes a foundation of good works, which we reject. The second reason is that in justification man is passive, but in sanctification we are active under the leading of the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of sanctification. This we hope to see more fully next time, D.V.

Rev. A.M. Den Boer

Norwich, Ontario

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month we have another crossword puzzle for the Bible quiz. It is not so very difficult, since it all has to do with Samson and his life. I need not ask who Samson was, as I am sure all of you could answer that very easily. There are lessons for us also in the life of this man, who in Hebrews 11 is listed among the heroes of faith.

Here are the clues—

ACROSS:

3. The jaw of what animal was used by him as a weapon?

6. “And out of the __________ came forth sweetness.”

7. With what did he slay a thousand Philistines?

9. How many companions did the men bring to be with him?

10. Who was the father of Samson?

12. “Out of the________came forth meat.”

15. What crop of the Philistines did he destroy with fire?

16. What did Samson’s father ask of the angel?

18. To entertain his friends, Samson put forth a________

20. In the carcass of the lion was a swarm of________

21. Samson’s________began to grow again while in the prison.

22. He judged Israel in the days of the Philistines__________ years.

23. His mother was forbidden to eat any________thing.

DOWN:

1. What task was given him in prison?

2. What animal did he tie together in pairs to avenge the Philistines?

4. “And the________of the Lord began to move him.”

5. What did God cause to come out of the jawbone to revive him?

6. And________called unto the Lord, and said, “O Lord God, remember me.”

8. Samson describes his______ as a heifer.

11. The angel said, ‘ ‘ For the child shall be a________unto God from the womb.”

13. What substance was found in lion’s carcass?

14. “And Samson made there a ____.”

17. His wife said, “Thou dost but________me, and lovest me not.”

19. His strength was first revealed in the killing of a ____.

(Your answers should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Woodmont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

The answers to the quiz of last month are as follows:

“Things Concerning Himself”

Luke 24:27

Testified - Acts 28:23

Head - Genesis 3:15

Iniquity - Acts 1:18

Nations - Genesis 22:18

God - Acts 10:38-42

Shiloh - Genesis 49:10

Counsel - Acts 2:23

One - Acts 7:52

Nicodemus - John 19:38-42

Crucified - Acts 4:10

Ethiopia - Acts 8:27-35

Refused -Psalm 118:22

Name -Acts 4:12

Indeed - Luke 24:34

Nathanael - John 21:2-3

Grave - Isaiah 53:9

Heart - Luke 24:32

Ignorance -Acts 3:17

Moses - Luke 24:27

Surety - Genesis 43:8-9

Earth - Acts 1:8

Light - Acts 26:22-23

Fools - Luke 24:25

Answers were received from the following girls and boys the past month:

Stephanie Kegel

Kevin Rosendall

Mary Rosendall

Rachel Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Kristi Rosendall

John Rosendall

Rick Rosendall

Carrie Blok

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Raymond Touw

Geoffrey Erkelens

Robert G. Southway

Linda Bazen

Karen K. Bazen

James Bazen

Pamela Koppelaar

John Wesdyk

Laura M. Driesse

Glenn Okken

Cheryl Hults

Billy Slootmaker

Rita Kievit

Linda Vlietstra

Sarah Greendyk

Donna Kievit

Joanne Heerschap

Lisa Peters

Richard Carlson

Randy Carlson

Peter DenBoer

Leonard DenBoer

Kevin Verbeke

Andrew Kieboom

Bernice Bouman

Henry Edel

Anita Schouten (2)

Martin Schouten (2)

Danny Parmeter

Sharon VanDeVendel

John Spaans

John Heystek

Kristi Boluyt

Steve Boluyt

Francina Slingerland

Jacob Slingerland

Kristy Lamain

Ed Bazen

Sharon Bazen

Dan Bazen

Peter Bazen

Steve Bazen

Steve Huisjen

Bob Huisjen

Jeanette Slingerland

Joan Slingerland

Karol Spaans

Karen Spaans

Carla Spaans

Ray VanderKooi

Lisa Markus

John VanGemert

Joyce Krygsman

Gerald Krygsman

Tommy Hoefakker

Tammy VandenToorn

Deb Kamp (2)

Marilyn Kamp (2)

Laurie VanEss

Rick VanEss

Carl Mast

Joy Mast

Larry Slotsema

John DenHollander

Margot Mast

Marlene Vandenberg

Edward Vandenberg

Doreen Vandenberg

Joan VanGiessen

Liz VanGiessen

Rachel Van Voorst

Jay VanVoorst

Craig Allen Tanis

Steven Scott Tanis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Robert Nieuwenhuis

Norman VanRavenswaay

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Cheryl Groen

Jan Groen

Steve Schoonbeek

Joel Schoonbeek

James VanDenBrink

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Steven Johnson

Dwaine Johnson

Laura Bleeker

Henry Vandenberg (4)

John Vandenberg (2)

Elisabeth Vandenberg (2)

David Vandenberg (3)

Lisa Neels

Henderick Petersen

Margaret Petersen

Julie VanGemert

Hilda denHertog

Ron Sterkenburg

Mary Maljaars

Audrey Hoefakker

Marlene Les

Ed Les

Florence Westeringh

Frances Guliker

Roger Vanderzwan

Bruce vandenBrink

Jennifer Verbeek

Angela Stam

Peter Dekker

Larry VanMiddendorp

Ken Luteyn

Martin Zwartbol

Annette Grisnich

Wilma Wilbrink

Wendy Sterkenburg

John Anker

Margaret Dekker

Kelly Vogt

Anita denBoer

Diane Guliker

Sheila VanDenBrink

Marilyn Kooyman

Marie Luteyn

Randy Lindout

Wendy vanKlei

Doug Maljaars

Richard DenHertog

Lisa Kerkhoff

Jim Luteyn

Gary Dekker

Joyce vandenBrink

Nadine Luteyn

Nancy deJong

Margaret Slootweg

Leanne VandenDorpel

Maureen Guliker

Marieke VanRumpt

Campbell Goudzwaard

Janetta Stoutjesdyk

Cathy Neels

Joanne DenHertog

Martin vanderZwan

Peter VanMaren

(1) No Name

Robert Herfst

Yvonne Herfst

Jo-Anne Herfst

Eva Herfst

Stan Bylsma

Christine Bylsma

Nellie VanBrugge

Corrie VanBrugge

Helen VanBrugge

May VanBrugge

Alice VanMiddendorp (2)

Laurie Bleeker

Steven Bleeker

Ken DenDekker

Jackie DenDekker

Henderika Kroesbergen (2)

Bill Kroesbergen (2)

Mike VanBemden

Debbie VanBemden

Kathy VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

John Wesdyk

Judith Maljaars

Melanie VanBrugge

Glen VanderKooi

Michelle VanBrugge

Daniel Markus

Cindy Markus

Becky Markus

Lisa Stalker

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Yvonne Kegel

Brian Kegel

Ingrid Sommer

Gary John Sommer

Janet Sommer

Gail denHoed

Judy den Hoed

Robert denHoed

Artis denHoed

Robert Kamp

Daniel Kamp

Jonathan Kamp

Jeff Boot

Jeremy Boot

Leonard Frens

E laine Frens

Douglas John Mol

Ross Derksen

Linda Talbot

Mark Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Laura Talbot

Leah Talbot

Darwyn Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Arlen Klarenbeek

LeAnn Klarenbeek

Robert B. Fletcher

Rhonda VanVeldhuizen

Audrey VanVeldhuizen

Nancy VanderHeide

Darryl Slingerland

Glenda Slingerland

Dan Kwekel

Tom Kwekel

Dave Kwekel

Johanna Scholten

Margaret Scholten

Annette Meeuwse

Reineke Bertram (2)

Ronald Bertram (2)

Kevin Verbeke

Matthew Schelling

Tim Westrate

Wayne VandeWaerdt (2)

Brent Bleyenberg

Sharon Kae denHoed (3)

Sheryl denHoed (3)

Carvn Dekker (2)

Geoff Erkelens

Tom Van Wingerden

John Brink

David Brink

Annette Brink

Debra Witvoet

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Laura Troff

Alan Greendyk

Vicki Post

Doug Post

Susan VanRavenswaay

Minda VanRavenswaay

Treena Koeken

Lysbeth Kroesbergen (21

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Howard E. Hubers

Duane Hubers

Mary Hubers

Trudy VanderWaal (2)

Marie VanderWaal

Charles Bachman

Alan Jay Baum, Jr.

Ellen Marie Baum

Robert T. Baum

Harmen VanderMeulen

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

Sidney VanderMeulen

Christine Bylsma

Stan Bylsma

Drew Nieuwenhuis

Jeffrey VanWyk

Leslie VanWyk

Martin VanWyk

Edward VanWyk

Robert Hults, jr. (2)

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Joanne Boerkoel

Patricia Vandenberg

Cathy Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Michele Seabert

Stephanie Kegel

Elizabeth Verbeek

Joel VanderKooi

Dave A. Engelsma

Aimee Beth Engelsma

Sharon terHarmsel (2)

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Myra VandeStouwe

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Willie Jonkman

John Jonkman

Jacqueline Leusink

Rita Leusink

Richard Procee

Peter Procee

Jennifer Procee

Cathy Kroesbergen

David Procee

John Kroesbergen

Arlene Remus

Marie Remus (2)

And now to answer the letters which we have again received—

TRUDY VANDER WAAL - Today was a warm day in Kalamazoo, Trudy. It almost makes us think of summer. What a blessing it is that there is medicine available when we are sick. But we also know that the Lord must bless the means if they are to be beneficial.

REINEKE BERTRAM - You will have to work on your Dutch, Reineke. You will never be sorry that you have learned it, and it can be very useful. As with everything, it takes time and effort. Do you still have just the two teachers in your school? I see there are two letters from you this time.

TREENA KOCKEN - We are quite well, Treena. What subject do you like besides gym class? I don’t think there is much studying to be done in gym. When do you have your catechism class? That subject should always be of special interest, because it is so very important for us.

DEBRA WITVOET - Many boys and girls liked the crossword puzzle, Debra, so we have another one this time. How is your grandmother? How quickly sickness can come upon us. Sickness must always be a reminder to us of that which took place in the garden of Eden.

JO-ANNE HERFST - Congratulations on the nephew, Jo-Anne. Does your sister live nearby so that you can visit often? The psalmist had to confess that he was wonderfully made, and we must say this same thing, also when we look at a new-born child. Take good care of him.

LISA NEELS - We will have to see if we can find some books again for our young friends, Lisa. The reading of good books has been a blessing for many in times past. However, reading of wrong books is not only a great waste of time, but can be so dangerous to young minds.

RAYMOND TOUW - The crossword puzzles were submitted, Raymond, so that helped me a lot. And, of course, it is our hope that the boys and girls will learn much in these ways. That must always be our main purpose. Give our greetings to your parents and grandparents.

JOHN DE HOLLANDER - The Youth Day will be in Michigan this year, D.V., but this time in Grand Rapids. We hope there will be a good attendance again. I see that you noticed our mistake in putting Solomon instead of Samson in one of the questions.

ANITA SCHOUTEN - It is difficult when we are not located near a church, Anita. David was also troubled at times when “far from the courts of God”. And it is good such things trouble us. How glad we must be when we may come together in the house of the Lord.

ANDREW KIEBOOM - We do not often hear of a goat farm, Andrew. Did they have a lot of goats? As with other animals, goats also have their own characteristics. Did you study about them in school? They are also mentioned quite a few times in the Bible.

ARLENE REMUS - It sounds as if you are keeping real busy with your homework, Arlene. If we can do our work with pleasure, then it isn’t so bad. But that isn’t always true with homework, is it? What are you studying about in your Bible lessons at the moment?

EVA HERFST - Did your father pigeon ever return, Eva? Can you tell of some instances where pigeons are spoken of in the Bible? Today we had snow again, but at this time of the year it doesn’t stay very long. Are you glad to see warmer weather again?

YVONNE HERFST - Be sure to extend our congratulations to your sister and her husband on the baby boy, Yvonne. It is a happy occasion to receive a child, and our psalter speaks of it as “a gift from God in very truth”. How sad when some speak of ‘unwanted’ children.

DANNY PARMETER - Did you find your name in the list, Danny? With all the names it might be difficult to find, but we try not to miss any. I’m sure it does happen sometime, no matter how hard we try to list them all. Do you like to do the quiz?

RONALD BERTRAM - How old must a budgie be before it begins to talk, Ronald? You mentioned that you were studying the book of Acts in school. Are you learning new things about those times that you didn’t know before? It was not easy to walk in the ways of the Lord in those days.

MARIE REMUS - We were glad to hear that your brother and sister-in-law were recovering from their accident, Marie. How quickly all our plans can be changed in one moment. The Lord teaches us about the shortness of our lives in so many different ways.

This concludes our letters for this time again. May the Lord remember us together in our needs, and bring us to His Word as students who must be taught all things.

With Love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

CONFESSION AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Our fathers made a close connection between confession and the Lord’s Supper. As we have already said, in the time of the Reformation the making of confession was accompanied with a peril of death. This meant that there were fewer external (formal) confessors, but there was more experiencing of that confession.

After the period of persecution this changed. Many made confession, but many merely made confession with their lips. Because of this the men of the later reformation made a distinct separation in their preparatory sermons between the true and the false. These sermons are still available to us, so that we can be convinced of it. Making confession certainly gives a church right to the Lord’s Supper, but a divine right is necessary.

What takes place in many churches? Confession is made and by virtue of that confession, they partake of the Lord’s Supper. An examination of the heart is excluded: the boundary between confession and experiencing is erased. A professor in another church group wrote: “In regard to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, there is in our church an unknown chaos. It varies from congregation to congregation: only confessing members or not, entire families or not, Reformed and Roman-Catholics or not, wine or not (perhaps lemonade), wine for children or not, bread only, etc.” Indeed a chaos.

What is it like in other churches? The tables of the Lord’s Supper are filled. Often it is better that they remain seated where they are, and the bread and wine are passed out in the congregation. As we can see, there is not the least realization of the content of the Lord’s Supper.

It is a sign and seal of God’s grace, and serves to the strengthening of the faith worked in the heart. The Lord’s Supper is a showing the Lord’s death till He come. Of course, we cannot show forth the death of someone whom we do not know. In I Corinthians 11:28 we read: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” The margin adds to this: “that is, examine his mind and conscience, whether he also feels in his heart a true regret and sorrow over his sins, and also has a firm faith and trust in the merits of Jesus Christ.”

This is certainly very clear. Also our heidelberg instructor speaks clearly in Lord’s Day XXX; where in Question 81 is asked, “For whom is the Lord’s Supper instituted?” The answer reads; “For those who are truly sorrowful for their sins and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ; and that their remaining infirmities are covered by His passion and death; and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves”. Only those who show the marks of the new life are the true participants of the Lord’s Supper.

In the time of our fathers many who made confession partook of the Lord’s Supper without possessing marks of grace. Our time is a time of great apostacy. Also in our congregations apostacy and superficiality are appearing more and more. In this an earnest warning is necessary. The foundation does not lie in the Lord’s Supper. It is not a sacrament for working faith, but for strengthening faith. The dead have no need of food, but the living. Historical faith needs no strengthening, but saving faith does.

We cannot partake of the Lord’s Supper on the basis of some feeling, or some emotion. Certainly a person who only makes an external confession cannot partake of the Lord’s Supper because of some agitation at the moment. Some are much occupied with the partaking of the Lord’s Supper. If the Lord works grace in our heart, we are not then first active with the Lord’s Supper. They do not go hastily to this. The upright of heart are longing that the Lord Himself will lead them to this meal. Think of Ruth who was invited by Boaz. Consider the holiness of that meal, of the meat and drink which Christ has instituted only for His believers. The entire congregation is certainly involved with the Lord’s Supper, but in a way, where the unconverted might see their miserable state outside of Christ and the believers might in humility see their salvation in Christ.

Rev. A. Hoogerland

(to be continued)

OUR CONSCIENCE

Does your conscience speak to you? Is there a voice inside of you that tells you when you are doing wrong? We will tell you of an example where this took place.

There was once a poor man who had a wife and children to support. One day he had nothing in the house for his family to eat. He knew that the farmer for whom he worked had a large flock of sheep, and, after talking with his wife about it, he went out after dark and took a lamb of the flock. It was soon killed and prepared and placed on the table.

It was their good custom to ask a blessing upon the meals, but the poor man was greatly troubled. How could he ask a blessing from God upon that which he had stolen? It was impossible for him to do so. He immediately got up from his place and went to his master, telling him what he had done and begging his forgiveness.

The farmer reprimanded him for not coming first to him, but, realizing how great his need must have been in order to do this, freely forgave him, and assured him that he could enjoy the meal with his approval. He also promised to help him in his future needs.

The poor man hurried home to his family with much happiness, and now was able to ask a blessing upon the food on their table.

We hope that you, too, will listen to your conscience as this poor man did. If we go on in wrong ways, we cannot ask for nor expect the blessing of the Lord.

WINTER IS OVER

The ice and snow we lately saw,
Which covered all the ground,
Are melted soon before the thaw,
And can no more be found.

Could all the art of man suffice
To move away the snow,
To clear the rivers from the ice,
Or make the waters flow?

No, ‘tis the work of God alone;
An emblem of the power
By which He melts the heart of stone,
In His appointed hour.

All outward means, till He appears,
Will ineffectual prove;
Though much the sinner sees and hears,
He’s destitute of love.

But let the stoutest sinner feel
The softening warmth of grace,
Though hard as ice, or rock, or steel,
His heart dissolves apace.

Gadsby

WHO IS THE MASTER?

When we see a dog following two boys as they walk along the road, we cannot tell which of the boys is the dog’s master. But when the boys come to a fork in the road and one goes to the left and the other to the right, we will quickly see to whom the dog belongs. At times religion and the world may be travelling along together. But when the man comes to a fork in the road where God calls him one way and the world the other way, then it is soon evident. If God be his master, he follows religion and lets the world go; if the world be his master, then he follows the world and the lust thereof, and lets God, and conscience and religion go. (Adapted)

THE BRAZEN SERPENT

Wandering in the desert wide,
By the Lord Himself sustained,
Israel, full of lust and pride,
Of their gracious Lord complained;
Wary of the way He led,
Thankless for their daily bread.

Fiery serpents soon were sent;
Israel filled with sore distress,
Now their way wardness repent,
Now their sinful words confess;
Sick and sore they lie around,
Who can heal their deadly wound?

Lo! the serpent lifted high,
God a remedy doth give;
Wounded sufferers, ere you die,
To the serpent “look and live.”
Such the cure by grace devised,
Even the faintest look sufficed.

Sorer sickness, my dear child,
Deep within your heart is found;
Yours a soul by sin defiled,
Yours a darker, deadlier wound.
May you feel your wound and flee
To the only remedy.

Submitted

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen