Sanctify Them by Your Truth; Your Word is Truth (John 17:17)
Sanctification involves a past, present and future element of being set apart and made holy. We have been set apart from the sins of our past by believing the words of John 3:16; we are presently being made more like Jesus as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God; and we are looking forward to being sanctified in heaven for we who have this hope in us purifies ourselves.
Sadly, many miss out on the blessings of sanctification because they choose to love the world, the flesh and the devil with the lust of the eyes of the lusts of the flesh and the boastful pride of life which are not of the Father, but are of the world.
Let us see how we the word sanctifies by His truth as His word is truth:
1. WEANS FROM OLD DESIRES - By trusting and obeying God’s word we disengage from the old habits. We gain a new appetite for what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent admirable and praise-worthy. As Jeremiah wrote, "Your words were found and I did eat them and they became a joy and the delight of my heart." (Jer 15:16)
Illustrative Song:
Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,
A light to my path alway,
To guide and to save me from sin,
And show me the heav’nly way.
Refrain
Thy Word have I hid in my heart,
That I might not sin against Thee;
That I might not sin, that I might not sin,
Thy Word have I hid in my heart.
Forever, O Lord, is Thy Word
Established and fixed on high;
Thy faithfulness unto all men
Abideth forever nigh.
Refrain
At morning, at noon, and at night
I ever will give Thee praise;
For Thou art my portion, O Lord,
And shall be through all my days!
Refrain
Thro’ Him Whom Thy Word hath foretold,
The Savior and Morning Star,
Salvation and peace have been brought
To those who have strayed afar.
2. WISDOM - The word of God gives us wisdom that is greater than man’s insights. Paul prays, "We have not stopped praying for you with and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (Col. 1:9) God’s word gives us His supernatural wisdom that supercedes all of man’s philosophical wisdom. The wisdom that comes from God is pure; peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
3. WARNINGS - The word of God warns us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good being devoted to one another in brotherly love, not lacking in diligence, but being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (Rom. 12:9-12) We can praise God that His precious and magnificent promises supply us with everything we need for life and godliness but also help us escape corruption that is in the world by lust. (2 Pet 1:3,4)
4. WORSHIP - The word of God helps us worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) The living water of God’s word refreshes, cleanses and feeds our thirsty souls. His word satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with what is good. (Psa 107:9)His word helps us worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.
5. WIELDS - The word of God wields great authority, power, and control as it is the sword of the Spirit. We do battle against the world, the flesh and the devil with the power of God’s word. His word is able to judge the thoughts and the intents of a person’s heart. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb. 4:12) God’s word has the ability to wrestle away the controls of each person’s will for the greater control of the Holy Spirit.
6. WRESTLES - We are to take up the full armor of God as we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:10,11)The word of God makes us strong, enabled and equipped to fight the good fight of faith and come out victoriously ever time. It is great to proceed into every battle knowing you be a victor whenever you study to show yourself approved of God. A workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
7. WHEREWITHAL - The word of God provides us with everything that is needed for life and godliness. (2 Pet 1:3,4) His precious promise assures us that "My God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19) We can be assured that His word promises that they who seek the Lord will not lack one good thing. Those who fail to stay in God’s word fail to realize that their adequacy comes from Him. (2 Cor. 3:5,6)
8. WILL OF GOD - The word of God reveals the will of God in the way He wants us to live, but also as He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit for His personal will for our life. Paul wrote, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you can prove what the will of God is that which is good, acceptable and perfect." (Rom. 12:2)Too many people are not fully following God’s will because they are not memorizing, meditating and applying God’s word on a consistent basis.
9. WINNING - God’s word makes us victors in the midst of strife. Paul wrote, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:21) The best way to help people overcome temptations, trials and tribulations is through the power of God’s word that reminds, renews and recharges us with the assurance that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. (Rom. 8:37)
10. WITNESS - God’s word helps us be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Paul exhorts us by stating, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17) Do not think that people can find salvation without the word of God. The word is the best witness as it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psa 119:105) The word of God speaks of Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. For no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)
11. WRATH - The word of God speaks of the wrath of God against all sins of commission, omission, wrong dispositions or attitudes or faulty assumptions. The word of God teaches us to fear the Lord you His saints for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but they who seek the Lord will not be in want of any good thing." (Psa 34:9) The fear of the Lord is pure enduring forever. the ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." (Psa 19:9-11) Too many people forget or overlook the fact that the God hates sin and the word has a way of sanctifying, cleansing and making us to be more like the Master in everyway.
12. WORKS - The word of God teaches us that God is able to work all things together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28) God’s word has a way of working every single situation, problem and challenge for the greater good even though we may not understand it at the time. We can rest, nest and be fully blessed in the fact that God is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13,14)
13. WELLNESS - The word of God restores, rejuvenates and relieves us from all kinds of sorrow, hurt and distress. David wrote, "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul." (Psa 19:7) We can praise and thank God for healing the broken hearted and setting the captives free. He helps reconstruct us when we are disappointed, discouraged and distraught. As David wrote, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul." (Psa 23:1,2) Let the Lord make you fully whole with His word as you allow it to realign your thinking, attitudes and behavior in conformity to the image of Christ. Too many people suffer needlessly because they are not meditating, trusting and obeying His medicinal word.
14. WAY-MAKER - God’s word is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness so that the man of God could be equipped, thoroughly furnished for all good works. (2 Tim. 3:16,17) Praise and thank God for the fact that He will make a way when there seems to be no way. His word assures us that even when there does not seem to be a way out of your problems, His word always points the way.
Illustration: Hudson Taylor, the founder of China Inland Mission tells about a one - legged missionary who could not run away from the rebels that waged war in China in the late 1800’s. When Taylor asked the missionary, "How will you run away when trouble comes and where will you find food during times of siege?" The missionary replied, "The word of God tells me, "Trust in the Lord and do good so will you dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." (Psa 37:3) The young missionary knew that God would take care of Him regardless of the adverse circumstances all around. God’s word has a way of giving us calm in the midst of storms, shortages and threats.
