Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:17)
Nine little words; three critical concepts.
Sanctify
We, Christians, have been saved from the power of sin. We are now being saved from sin’s power as we learn to walk according to the Spirit. Sanctification isn’t always comfortable because suffering is often the tool God uses to purify His children.
Truth, though, is a key to sanctification that requires some discipline, but not pain, unless it is hard for us to give up lies we believed.
Truth
Truth is a tool of sanctification. As our minds, hearts, hands, lives are characterized by truth, our minds are renewed.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.(Romans 12:2) (See also Ephesians 4:23.)
God’s Word
The Bible is Gods’ word, the truth.
All truth is God’s truth (the Bible doesn’t tell us everything about everything), but anything that conflicts with what God has to say is false.
Our Discipline
All truth is God’s truth (the Bible doesn’t tell us everything about everything), but anything that conflicts with what God has to say is false.
Here are things we can do (should do) that contribute to our sanctification:
- Study God’s word, daily, deeply, prayfully.
- Throughout the day, think about what God is saying to you through His Word.
- Identify your own thoughts and beliefs that are contrary to God’s Word, reject them, and substitute the truth.
- Use your knowledge of the word of God in discerning people’s words and deeds, and in evaluating current events.
- Walk in truth. Obey. Your obedience increases your growth.
Pray!
Lord, help us build up ourselves (Jude 20), faithfully learning and applying Your word. Help us see Your truth, distinguishing Your truth — true truth — from what we might think on our own apart from You, or from what others may assert that isn’t from You.
