“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” - John 17:17
Life can seem rather mundane at times. It doesn't matter how long you live or successful you become, we are responsible to accomplish certain routine tasks. These chores are continual duties that never seem to end. These regular chores include washing dishes, doing laundry and paying bills. These jobs never seem to end.
Another task that we must undertake on a regular basis is grocery shopping. It doesn't matter how tired you are the end of the day, you still need to go to the grocery store on occasions. Yet there is a lesson to be learned when you shop for groceries.
If you're like most people, you enter the store and get a shopping cart or basket to get your groceries. Then you go through the process of finding what you need. For instance, if you need tomatoes, you go to the produce department and look for the tomatoes you want. You look through the bin and choose the tomatoes that look best. Then you set aside the ones you want. You store them in a little plastic bag and put them in your shopping cart. Later, when you check out, you pay for the tomatoes. They are yours to use as you wish.
We often set aside items when we shop. Whether you are purchasing fruit or vegetables, you choose the items you want and set them aside to purchase them.
We have been set aside by the Lord. We belong to Him. We are set apart from unbelievers. Being set aside or set apart has a theological term called sanctification.
When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Jesus was referring to His disciples and us when He spoke these words. He prayed that His followers would be sanctified.
There are three types of sanctification for a believer. First of all, there is positional sanctification. I've already referred to it. The Lord has set us apart for Himself. We've been made children of God by His grace. We are set apart for the Lord. That is positional sanctification.
Secondly, there is practical sanctification. This is His ongoing work in our lives to make us more and more like Himself. We are being sanctified in holiness. He is the Potter and we are the clay. We are being molded into vessels of honor, trophies of His grace. Our sinful blemishes and broken pieces are among the issues He is addressing in this ongoing process.
Finally, there will be permanent sanctification. Ultimately, we will be set apart eternally. The Psalmist refers to this in the first psalm: “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”
So how does God accomplish this work of sanctification? In His prayer, Jesus gives us the answer: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The truth sets us apart. We are sanctified through the truth. It is no surprise the devil has targeted this area. In our world, “relative truth,” is the norm. “Relative truth,” teaches that what is true for me may not necessarily be true for you. According to the world, truth is highly subjective and probably doesn't even exist. This is a twisted lie of the devil. The devil has successfully deceived most people into doubting the Word of God. Just as he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden, the devil has people questioning God and His Word.
Yet there is truth. Jesus prayed, “thy word is truth.” While it is obvious that the Bible contains truth, it is more than that. The Word IS truth!
God uses His word to set people apart. It was His Word that convicted us and brought us to a saving faith in Christ. Our positional sanctification is due to His Word. His ongoing work to conform us to Christ is being accomplished as we read, study and apply His Word to our lives. Practical sanctification is being accomplished through His Word. Ultimately, our permanent sanctification will be due to His Word. He will return, as predicted by His Word. The Lord Jesus will come with a shout (1 Thessalonians 4:16). His Word has the power to raise the dead!
We have been set apart for the Lord. We belong to Him. He changed us by His Word at conversion. He is working in our lives, molding us into the people He wants us to be. He is changing us day by day by His Word. One day, He will come again and our bodies will be changed in an instant.
We are set apart by the Lord. We are set apart for the Lord!
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