Sanctify Them in the Truth

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Sanctify Them in the Truth

We live in a world that is bent on sinning.      Every day we are made aware  of all sorts of corruption,  murder,  adultery,  cheating,  slander,  lying,  idolatry,  and every  other hateful  action.      We can’t escape having to live here.      But,  we can be set apart  from all this corruption.      How?

Jesus prayed  that we would be set apart  from the rest of this world,  when He prayed in John 17:17,

Sanctify them  in the truth;  Thy word is truth.

Jesus was praying  that when we come to know the truth  about God  in His word  —  the Bible  —  God would so work in our hearts  that we would want God’s protection  to separate ourselves  from the evil influences  of this world.      When we see truth,  we see that God’s holiness  is a marvelously good thing for us.      It is so good to know  that God is truthful,  merciful,  loving,  kind,  righteous,  faithful,  almighty,  longsuffering,  patient,  perfect,  pure,  and so much more.

All of these attributes of God  are a tremendous blessing to us.      The Lord is the God we can trust.      We can be at peace with Him  when we know  He is so willing to forgive  absolutely all of our sins  and look at us  as being righteous  and holy  when we put our faith  in Jesus’ suffering and death  on our behalf.      And,  we come to know the truth  —  that there is only one almighty God  and no other  —  who takes away the sinful,  superstitious fears  that so many in this world experience  as they try to find  some way to get to their imaginary heaven  ruled by capricious gods of all sorts.

Those who are not sanctified in the truth  of the LORD God  are subject to being ruled  by their own selfish desires,  fears,  hatefulness,  superstition,  lovelessness,  suspicions,  untrustworthiness,  and evil.      In other words,  they are subjecting themselves  to being ruled by sin,  evil,  and lies.      They are letting the lies of this world  overpower them.

Such lies include things like  people believing that if they can just steal the things they want,  they will find satisfaction  and happiness.      Another lie is that having power over other people  will bring a lasting,  worthwhile success.      Still another lie is that there is no god  who will judge us,  so we just need to live by some good philosophy  that will make this world  a better place to live in.      The list of lies that rule over the unbelieving world  is so long and varied.

But,  God’s word has proven  that God tells the truth  and can be trusted.      When we understand that  and see how good it is  for us eternally,  we want to let the truth  of God’s word  lead and guide us  in how we live,  because it will bring us peace  and true happiness.      Believing God’s truth  is so good  —  and it makes us holy in His sight.      The truth is  that we are all sinners  in need of forgiveness  in Jesus Christ —  and we are thoroughly saved  by the grace of God  through faith in Jesus.

We don’t have to let evil influence  or control how we live.      We can pray to our Savior  and ask Him to sanctify us  in the truth of His word.      Then,  in freedom,  we say,  “Hallelujah!      Lord,  thank You for opening our eyes  to Your truths  and separating us  from following the evils  of this world.      Always keep us near to Your heart.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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