Sanctification is a way of life for the Christian. In order to grow spiritually in this process we must desire to be governed by God’s truth, which is fully embodied in Christ alone. Remember his words (Jn 14:6), “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In his last evening with his disciples, Jesus petitions his Father that not only would they be sanctified by his word, but all those who would believe the Gospel in future generations. He prays, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
Here is what Jesus means that should directly impact a Christian’s daily life of righteousness towards God’s standard of living:
- God’s truth is the sanctifying agent of holiness. Without it, we have no chance to live as Christ. A Christian life that lacks God’s Word, is abundant of the love and affections of the World.
- God’s truth only benefits us if our obey and live it out. God has set us apart from the world so that our hearts and minds are daily (gradually) transformed to align in accordance with God’s sanctifying truth (cf., Rom 12:2). Jesus taught (Lk 11:28), “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
As a Christian, we shall stumble and be hindered in this process if we resist cooperation with the Spirit in this consecrating work. God does not desire lip service that is void of heart living. Jesus did not die so we can present ourselves one way on Sundays, but live in an unsanctified way in our daily lives the other 6 days of the week. His heart and standard of work for you and I is revealed in his prayer to his Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; you word is truth.”
Because of Jesus, the Father has commissioned his Spirit to transform your thoughts and actions (in an ever increasing degree) to love his Word and live it more in accordance to the Gospel. That more each day there is less of the world (old ways of thinking) in you, the more Jesus will shine forth in your entire way of life. We shall receive this promise if we trust God. We shall experience a change in our being if we cooperate with the Spirit. A day should come when we shall join the Psalmist in worship and declare (Ps 119:97), “Oh how I love your law! It is my mediation all the day.” Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com
We need to be white as snow! The