FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
John 17:9-19
John 17:17

"Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth."

SANCTIFIED BY GOD’S WORD AND TRUTH

The Author of our "great salvation" (including justification and sanctification) is the Triune God. So, the means of sanctification must be from God alone: by God’s Word/Truth and by Christ’s precious blood. However, not all are sanctified automatically. In order to enjoy God’s work of sanctification, we must have faith in Him and His Word with our obedience and submission. All is by God’s grace alone, so all thanks, glory and praise be unto God alone!

The Lord Jesus Christ still prays to His Father for His followers. "Holy Father,… Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:11, 17). Only God is true (Rom 3:4) and His "word is true from the beginning" (Ps 119:160). Without God’s Word and Truth, we can never know the truth about the holy God as well as about our sinful and deceitful hearts. Without God’s Word and Truth, we can never have true salvation or true sanctification. Knowing this truth, we can be sure that those religions, Bible colleges and churches including pastors, teachers, professors and scholars that do not have a high view of God’s Word nor a trusting and submissive heart can never have true sanctification before the holy God! The Almighty God created this world by His mighty Word. "For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (Ps 33:9). God the Father uses His same mighty Word to sanctify His children. God the Son uses God’s Word to cleanse and wash His Church (John 15:3; Eph 5:26). God the Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to convict, convince, convert, regenerate and sanctify believers (John 16:8-14; 1 Pet 1:23). Truly, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful" (Heb 4:12), and "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16).

Thus, to enjoy the Triune God’s sanctifying work, we must read, study, keep, and live by God’s Word daily with a humble, prayerful, teachable and submissive heart. There is no other way!

THOUGHT: Without God’s Word/Truth, there is no sanctification!
PRAYER: Lord, I thank Thee for sanctifying me through Thy Word.