Transformed By Truth

TRANSFORMED BY TRUTH

“And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” - John 17:19

How does lasting change really occur? Many books have been written on this subject. There are people who tour the country, giving lectures about this topic. There are men and women who declare themselves experts about life-change. I've read some of these books and heard some of these lectures. Much of it falls in the realm of self-help or self-improvement. Occasionally, someone will say something worthwhile, but much of it is redressing of old stale ideas.

I am not expert on any subject, including this one. Yet I have found that there is a way for a person to undergo profound, lasting change. Eternal change occurs when a person is transformed by the Truth.

In John 8:32, Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Many quote this verse without even knowing that they are quoting Jesus. Yet this verse is factual. When a person knows the truth, the truth makes them free. They are transformed by the Truth. Through faith in Christ, a person experiences internal change that reshapes his life and leads him on a different path.

Conversion is just the beginning of this change. When a person is born again, a new life begins. After regeneration, the work of sanctification begins. God continues to work in a man's life, making him more and more like Jesus.

When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He said, "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” Jesus was set apart to complete a mission for His Father. Jesus expected His disciples to be sanctified. Notice that this sanctification occurs, "... through the truth."

I began by asking the question, how does lasting change occur? The answer is plain. We are transformed by the truth. We are not embracing a fantasy or fiction. Instead, we experience life-change through the power of God's Word. In a previous verse in John 17, Jesus made this statement, "... thy word is truth."

Lives are impacted by the power of the Gospel. As a preacher takes God's Word and boldly proclaims the truth, that word pierces hearts, shatters strongholds of falsehood and brings light to areas of darkness.

We are living in a time when the truth is under assault. Spiritual forces have targeted the truth, trying to remove it from society. The devil has duped many into believing that there is no such thing as truth. Yet as God's Word is proclaimed, either publicly or personally, the truth still goes forth and changes lives.

I don't have the power to change lives. You don't either. While many try to use manipulation to get a response, God-called preachers still use the Bible to call men and women to repentance.

It seems old fashioned to use only one Book, week after week, to reach people. Yet that is our mandate. By the way, it still works, too. Yes, people can commit to something because of emotionalism or manipulation, but only God can radically change a person's heart. He has chosen His Word to do this. He still transforms lives by the Truth.

As believers, we know that we've been changed by the truth. Yet we are still being changed by the truth. That's why Bible reading, Bible study, sound Bible teaching and good preaching is important in our sanctification process.

If I am blessed to see the end of this year, I want to be a Christian at that point than I was back in January. I would want the year to come to be a growing process, also.

That's what the Lord desires for each of His children. He wants us to live holy lives. He expects us to be loving, compassionate and honest.

As I get older, I tend to resemble my parents, not just in appearance, but in my actions, too. Over time, shouldn't my character evolve to be more like my heavenly Father? That process is called sanctification. That is accomplished by the truth of God's Word.

We are being transformed by the truth.

Mission: Impossible

 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE

“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” - John 17:18

I am not a fan of modern television programs. I prefer the classic TV shows. Do you remember the TV series, “Mission: Impossible”? Young people know about the movie franchise, but some of us older folks recall the original TV series, starring Peter Graves.

Each episode of the old TV series, “Mission: Impossible,” began with the main character getting a tape recording. The recording gave a brief outline of a vital assignment. The episode proceeded with the cast trying to accomplish the mission they were given. In addition to the action-packed episodes, the theme music was among the most memorable TV theme songs of that era.

I'm glad I don't have a job in the field of espionage. Every day life is challenging enough at times. If you're like me, much of life seems to be rather mundane. Daily activities have become a ritual. For us, life does not consist of dangerous adventures. Paying the bills and meeting responsibilities can be enough for us to tackle.

Yet we have been given a mission. Although most of us are not called to go overseas and serve as foreign missionaries, we are called to fulfill a mission. We are missionaries to a fallen world. The world we once enjoyed and loved has become a place that seems very foreign to us. We are citizens of another country, assigned here on earth for a brief period. Although the specific task each believer is assigned may differ, we share common goals.

When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He said, “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” Jesus came to earth on a mission to redeem lost men. He was sent by His Father on a mission of love. Now, His followers are being sent, “I have sent them into the world.”

Our mission is a formidable task. We are called to represent our Lord in this wicked world. Paul put it this way: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20). This verse reveals two things: our mission and our message.

OUR MISSION

We are saved from this world and sent back into the world as ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is a representative of his home country, sent to a foreign place. He is there to represent his homeland, offer assistance to other citizens who are in that foreign land, and convey messages from his homeland to that foreign country. That is our task as well. We are ambassadors for Jesus Christ. We have been saved for this task. We have been divinely appointed to this position. We are specifically sent to represent heaven and convey God's message. That is our mission.

OUR MESSAGE

Secondly, we learn about our message: “... as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” We have a powerful message to convey daily. Because of sin, mankind has been separated from God. We do not possess the ability to get to God on our own. Our best efforts are sinfully tainted. It is impossible for a sinner to get right with God based on his own merits. Mankind is doomed for destruction because of sin.

Yet we have good news to bring to fallen mankind. Jesus Christ did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He was sent to earth on a rescue mission. He died on the cross, suffering the wrath that we deserved, so that we could be saved. His death purchased life for every person who believes. Mankind can be reconciled to God, but only through Jesus Christ.

As Ambassadors for Christ, we are on a mission. We have a message. Just as Jesus was sent on a rescue mission to save us, we are being sent to spread His message to dying souls. The very message they need the most is the message we should share.

Let me be very clear about something. We have a daunting task. Our mission is impossible. On our own, we will fail miserably. Although we are sent back into the world, it takes a miracle for our message to change lives. We need the Lord's help in all we do. Our work is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit. We are dependent on the Lord to accomplish our mission. Our mission is impossible on our own. It is only possible as God works through our lives.

Time is fleeting. Souls are perishing. Workers are few.

Will you heed God's call to live on mission today?

Set Apart

SET APART

“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!