Saanctified

John 17:17-19 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
 
JESUS says, “Sanctify them…”  It’s a good thing he doesn’t teach in our churches today. Too many label “sanctify” as a “churchy” word, too complicated to understand. There seems to be a fear that such Bible-based words will keep people away from church. “Sanctify” (or some versions of the Bible use “consecrate” “dedicate” or “set apart”) though, must be taught. It is God’s essential way to save you from sin. Let’s understand why this is true.
   First of all, God sanctified a particular man Abraham from a pagan culture to be the father of Israel. God sanctified the people Israel from all the world to be the nation to display his glory through centuries of redeeming work. Out of the sanctified Israel came the Savior. Note carefully how the epistle Hebrews describes Jesus: Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26) When Jesus said, “I sanctify myself.” he is setting apart his life unto death, so he can purchase eternal salvation for all who will confess him, “Lord and Savior.”
   Further, sanctification for God’s people is both a one-time and an ongoing action. When God set apart Abraham, kings and prophets, each entered a spiritual journey to lean and live into God’s laws. The same is true for us. When the Spirit sanctified you from your sin nature, you entered into God’s eternal holy presence. 1 Corinthians 1:2 to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours.
   That is just the beginning. From that miraculous moment, you then began an ongoing sanctifying, setting apart journey from worldly ways to God’s righteousness. God set your life on a faith track. It is your responsibility to move spiritually forward to gain a full, fruitful life. Another way to say this is that your heart is to become more and more full of God. Through s growing knowledge of God, you come to reject a love of the world. Instead you grown to love the Lord with all your heart, mind soul and strength. You understand more deeply God’s holy character. A sanctifying walk with God leads you to God’s Promised Land of the Spirit’s abundant power and blessings. You rejoice with awe and wonder the holy God has set you apart to make you holy to be in his presence.
   Jesus, of course, knows the disciples are sanctified. Their love and joy in Jesus is about to become the core of their souls. Soon they will begin a new, difficult journey to make disciples of all the nations. Jesus prays their lives are dedicated to display God’s holiness in the sanctifying gospel.
          Do you believe Jesus is your Savior? Then rejoice a sanctified life is God’s gift to you. Be eager to tell people, “By God’s grace, I am sanctified in Jesus’ blood. Can I tell you why that fills my heart with love, peace and joy?”