"Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth." John 17:17
I don't understand the all resistance by God's people to God's Word. Ok, maybe I do: our sinful, rebellious nature is the root cause, enflamed by hellish powers. So maybe more accurately, I'm saddened by it. I'm saddened by the tooth and nail fight instead of the childlike acceptance when Scripture is read. I'm saddened by our censorship of many Passages because of our cultural idolatry. I'm saddened by it first in my own life (I'm a rebel at heart) and deeply hurt by the pain the refusal to obey God's precepts causes so many families and churches.
William MacDonald wrote:
To sanctify means to set apart. The Word of God has a sanctifying effect on believers. As they read it and obey it, they are set apart as vessels suitable for the Master's use. That is exactly what the Lord Jesus was praying for here. He wanted a people who were set apart to God from the world, and usable by God. “Your word is truth,” Jesus said. He did not say, as so many do today, “Your word contains truth,” but “Your word IS truth.”
Amen! Through a life of studying and applying Holy Scripture, God's people ARE SUPPOSED TO CHANGE! We SHOULD NOT be the same as when we first believed. Our thirsts, thoughts, appearance, character, disciplines, love...our everything...should become and more Christ-like.
Why does this bother us so? What are we afraid of?
There seems to be a deeply rooted resistance to changing and bringing our lives in alignment with Scripture. Our sin nature fights God. Yet the great promise is our sanctification via the Word of God if we would, with the Spirit's help, obey! Our great joy should be to become more and more as unto our Lord!
Oh the wonder of the Word of God! Oh the love of God that He would reveal Himself via the Scriptures! Oh that we would live, not by bread alone, but my EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt 4:4)
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11)
Sanctify us oh Lord, by Thy holy Truth. Give us a humble heart to obey. There is NO other path worth following.
In Jesus' Name.
