John 17 (Nine) How to be Sanctified

Good day

For as long as it takes we are going to study the gospel of John chapters fourteen to seventeen.

To pick up the topic, you may need to read the one or two postings preceding this one.

You will have noticed that these messages do not come as regularly as usual. The Lord is busy with a move into a new dimension and as soon as we are finished with John 14-17 we will change direction. The blog will then become more interactive.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth,” (John 17:17-19).

The word ‘sanctify’ means to consecrate, make holy, make sacred and to purify. Hebrews 12:14 tells us: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” The Greek word translated as ‘holiness’ here has also been translated as ‘sanctification’ in other translations. Without being involved in the process of sanctification, in other words of becoming holy (set apart for God), individuals will not see the Lord. According to Jesus in verse seventeen above, sanctification is done by Father God through bringing those, who are being sanctified, into the truth, which is God’s Word. Jesus consecrated (sanctified) Himself by living the Word of God and He taught His disciples the Word so they can live the Word, which is why He gave them so much teaching. According to John 21:25 Jesus did and taught much more than was recorded in the Bible. The disciples therefore had the Word of God in their hearts and Father God, through the Holy Spirit, had something to work with.

He uses our knowledge of the Word, and directs our circumstances and interaction with other people to get us to a point where we live what the Word says. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure,” (Philippians 2:12-13). The Lord’s dream for us is to become one with His Word for He is the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth,” (John 1:1, 14).

Say for instance we need to be pure in our thinking. The Holy Spirit will then expose us to passages such as Colossians 3:1-3: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God,” and Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Then He will allow unpleasant consequences every time we disobey this rhema command He has given us until we succeed in controlling our thoughts. He will also assist us in how to pray as we seek solutions to control our thoughts and give us other supporting passages along the way. The Holy Spirit will convict us every time we disobey and will add practical advice on how to control our thoughts. Can you see that the Lord goes to great lengths to consecrate us into the truth, but without our cooperation His hands are tied? As you can see this is only one example of one area in our lives that needs sanctification. Holiness is a lifetime process for Christians and needs to be actively pursued, which is why not much time is left to live for our own pleasure if we want to be like Jesus.

Being sanctified is therefore being set apart to live like the Word of God describes a life acceptable to Father God. Do you want to know Jesus? You therefore need to know the Bible. Do you want to be like Jesus and do what He did and do? You therefore need to live like the Bible commands? We will only be holy once we have become one with the Word of God, and we will only become one with the Word of God, and therefore one with Father God, if we start doing by faith everything the Word commands.

Lord, I am available. Please sanctify me in your truth (be aware that if you mean this prayer, the Lord is going to do it and your life might change).

Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.

Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.