Sanctified

John 17:17-19 (ASV) 17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

John 17:17-19 (NLT)17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

I have given you two translations. The first, no longer in print, is harder to read for it is word for word translation. The second, thought for thought, is easier to understand. I like to read both and meditate on them until the Spirit quickens to my spirit what He wants me to receive that day. What I received as I meditated on them today is the wonder of all Jesus did in this realm for us. His sacrifice meant a new birth for a new creature. We cannot sanctify ourselves for we cannot do what Jesus did. Jesus IS The Truth. The Word of God is the instrument of truth used by the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth. The Holy Spirit manifests into us what belongs to Jesus that the Father gave Him. This He did for us while in our realm. Now seated in the place of victory, He intercedes for us so we will not become sidetracked and fail to enter our victory.

If we understand in our spirit that Jesus took our punishment for the broken covenant with the Law, and that He truly took our place in all things, then we have to accept that He did it so we could eternally be where He is--starting right now. You are sanctified at the present moment by His act and by your faith in Him. I am teaching children how to appropriate from God. If they learn now how to draw from Him, they will have the advantage of walking in His provision the rest of their lives. You can start now to do the same thing. Jesus left for us in this realm His victory over the world. John 16:33(NLT) "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." In your darkest moment, faced with unanswerable problems, stand in His victory. You don't have to have the answers when you have Him.

The sanctification Jesus became gave Him the victory, for He walked in total obedience to the Father and the Father's will became His will. We follow in His steps and walk in Truth. Our obedience to praise and trust Him in all things will keep us in the way of Truth. He paid the price for us to be truly sanctified.