The “Golden Thread” is a collection of writers who have written (or are still writing) about a life lived by the indwelling Spirit of Christ, a life of union with the Triune God and continual, conscious, conversational communion with Him. These writers, some of whom spent time or even died in prison for their New Covenant faith, wrote well of this life of abiding in Christ and walking only by His Spirit in them.  In all, I have explored the writings of over 70 authors who have written of this New Covenant life. Enjoy snacking on the stories of these men and women, and then find one of their books and enjoy the feast.

For many years, Walter Marshall struggled with finding the holiness that the scriptures described for true disciples. These struggles led to much searching and even bouts of depression. As Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson (“Meet The Puritans“) tell it, “For years [Baxter] sought holiness and peace. Marshall read Richard Baxter extensively, then questioned Baxter, who said that Marshall had taken him too legalistically. He went to Thomas Goodwin next, telling him about the sins that weighed heavily on his conscience. Goodwin’s response was that Marshall had forgotten to mention the greatest sin of all: not believing on the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins and the sanctifying of his nature. Marshall began to focus more on studying and preaching Christ. He realized that he had been trying to make personal righteousness the basis of his dealings with God and the ground of his peace. Consequently, he had not submitted to the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. When he focused upon Christ, he found holiness, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost.“

In his final years, Marshall collected what he had learned and gained from the Spirit of Christ into a book that would not be published until two years after his death. “The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification” became a much-loved guide to seekers of the fullness and holiness of the indwelling Christ. His emphasis on the sanctifying work our union with Christ has shaped the faith and experiences of holiness of untold numbers of readers.

One of those impacted by Marshall’s book was Andrew Murray. Murray quoted Marshall in chapter nine of his signature work, “Abide in Christ,” and then added a footnote as follows:

“I have felt so strongly that the teaching of Marshall is just what the Church needs to bring out clearly what the Scripture path of holiness is…I cannot too earnestly urge every student of theology, and of Scripture, and of the art of holy living, to make himself master of the teaching of Marshall’s third, fourth, and twelfth chapters.“

Murray published an abridgement of Marshall’s book in 1884. More recently, Joshua Nickel published “The teaching of Walter Marshall in The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.” The book contains chapters 1-4 and 12, in keeping with Murray’s recommendation. Nickel also updated the English to more modern expression, making this a focused and easy to read exploration of the “Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.”

Murray was, of course, spot on in his recommendation of Marshall’s book. It is a succinct yet sufficient account of how we gain our sanctification and holiness by way of our union with Christ.