“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Jesus is praying for His disciples the evening of His arrest: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17 – Jesus is asking that God would set them apart for His service and transform them for His purpose. Jesus is the Truth in His person – He is truth incarnate. John 1:1, 14; 8:31-36; 14:6; Hebrews 1. They had believed on Jesus, and He had already done a work in their life, but they would need to continue in the Word of God. Jesus knows that continuing in the Word of God is necessary for growth and sanctification.

·       Sanctify – To make holy; to set apart for God; spiritual growth – It is God’s work in a person’s life.  

o  1 Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

·       Truth – The means that God uses to transform, guide, and make us into the person He wants us to be.

o  The “Word of Truth” was a positive force in Paul’s life as he faced adversity and imprisonments. 2 Corinthians 6:7

·       The Word of God – This is the only reliable standard of truth. This is not human opinion.

o  2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

o  Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Here are a few more verses that show us that God’s Truth changes us:     

o  Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

o  Isaiah 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

o  1 Thessalonians 2:13 … when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh [sanctifies] also in you that believe.

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry