The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 17:17,
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
As Jesus prayed for his disciples, he asked the Father to sanctify them "by the truth" and goes on to say "your word is truth. It is clear that Jesus was acknowledging that sanctification comes through God's word.
What exactly is "sanctification"? I think Merriam-Webster does a good job with their definition, "to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use". In other words, to be consecrated to the things of God. Also, in the sense of purification, "to free from sin". Another definition they use is, "to make productive of holiness or piety". The synonyms they offer are, "cleanse", "purge" and "purify".
Here is a passage where Paul has sanctification in mind, "As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
The Bible is God's word and it is through God's word that we can apply ourselves to be what God's will is for us as Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified... For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life."
Paul explains that it is the Scriptures that is God's word, "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." He is referring to the writings of Scripture, the very words of God, as that which is at work in the believers lives-- sanctification.
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
As Jesus prayed for his disciples, he asked the Father to sanctify them "by the truth" and goes on to say "your word is truth. It is clear that Jesus was acknowledging that sanctification comes through God's word.
What exactly is "sanctification"? I think Merriam-Webster does a good job with their definition, "to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use". In other words, to be consecrated to the things of God. Also, in the sense of purification, "to free from sin". Another definition they use is, "to make productive of holiness or piety". The synonyms they offer are, "cleanse", "purge" and "purify".
Here is a passage where Paul has sanctification in mind, "As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
The Bible is God's word and it is through God's word that we can apply ourselves to be what God's will is for us as Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified... For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life."
Paul explains that it is the Scriptures that is God's word, "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." He is referring to the writings of Scripture, the very words of God, as that which is at work in the believers lives-- sanctification.
How important it is that we daily consume the word of God, our Bibles! Our growth in Jesus Christ takes place as we read, study, immerse ourselves in, memorize, meditate in the Scriptures. The Father's answer to the Son is that he has provided his word to us that we might be sanctified! It now behooves us to avail ourselves of God's word to become what God wants us to be - to engage in a life changing process.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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