We continue our study of the Gospel of John. We are currently studying the prayer Jesus prayed unto our Abba Father, just before He departed from His Last Passover Meal, with His Disciples. Though He was praying for them primarily, He was praying for all who believe in Him, We pick up at verse 16, in the 17th Chapter. He said:
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is Truth. As you sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them, I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” John 17: 16 -19
All who believe in, and give their hearts to the Lord are Sanctified by Him, – In HIm. To be sanctified means: “To be set apart for sacred use; cleansed and made Holy through believing and obeying the Word of God.”
As Hebrews 4:12 states: “For the Word of God is Alive 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.” The Word of God is not just words brought together by a good writer, it is the Spirit of God working in our spirit as we open ourselves unto Him. It is the Spirit of Jesus, it is God Himself, for they are One. The Word says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
When we receive the Word through belief, faith, and trust in it, we receive the Holy Spirit working in us. The Word is alive when we Believe it. It is the Spirit of Power, and Love, and a Sound Mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) That is why we must reach out to the Word each day. That is why we must receive it into our soul, and spirit each day. The Lord is IN the Word, and He uses it to bring courage, and comfort, and peace, and power to do what is right as we quote our favorite verses, or read a chapter, or daily Bible Plan, or Devotional. It is the Food of the Soul. We want to have a steady diet of it – every morning, and every evening- if only for a short time. Jesus said, “For them, I sanctify myself,” He Himself went to the Word. Let it be so for each of us. The Word is Truth. In the Truth we walk in the Grace, and the Unconditional Love of The Most High. We are greatly Blessed and Sanctified in Jesus.