THERE are a couple of things needful before we proceed on with our next consideration in the Principle of Position, two questions from the Larger Catechism, and a backyard observation.
WLC Q77. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ?
Ans. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, yet they differ, in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ; in sanctification of his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof; in the former, sin is pardoned; in the other, it is subdued: the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation, the other is neither equal in all, nor in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection.
WLC Q.75. What is sanctification?
Ans. Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.
I LIKE to read those two excellent doctrinal statements in that order, especially as it pertains to the study of Positional Truth, as a reminder of how these things work. If you have a Westminster Larger Catechism close at hand, I suggest you look up these two and immediately surrounding statements, and the associated support scriptures for additional instruction. If you don’t have a copy nearby, there is a link on this page to the Westminster Confession and Catechisms on-line.
NOW second, is a personal backyard observation –another lesson from the garden- noticing all those plants I trimmed back in the fall of last year, that appeared all but dead through the winter months. Now with the arrival of spring I’ve noticed once again the shooting forth of “the green” and the tiny buds for promised flower and fruit, … right on schedule and according to design.
SO with that repeated metaphor in mind, here’s the next installment to our consideration on the teaching of our Position in Christ.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 19—Position Defined and Illustrated Continued….
The Vine and the Branch
Consistent with the principle of position and the principle of reproduction, our risen Lord Jesus is the Vine. As such, He brings forth fruit “after his kind.” “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
In the natural realm, the life that is already complete in the vine is increasingly supplied to the growing branches. The healthy condition of the branches is contingent upon their abiding in their position in the vine. The branch is not only a product and a living part of the vine, but that which is produced in the branch is also the fruit of the vine. Actually, the branch produces nothing, either for the vine, for others, or for itself. The vine, the positional source, has everything to do with the development and fruitfulness of all its branches. The chief responsibility of the branch is to rest just where it was born, to abide in its living position in its living source.
As the believer rests in his position, the life of the Vine (the “fruit of the Spirit”) is manifested in his condition—“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22, 23, NASB). The life of the Vine is the life of the branch. The True Vine is established at the right hand of our Father in glory and is the source from which our Christian life flows. The indwelling Spirit of Christ is the living link between Him in heaven and our spirit here on earth. “…He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Cor. 6:17).
….to be continued
