Over the weekend millions of Christians around the world were asked by their church leaders to memorize a prayer that Jesus prayed to His Father for us all: “Sanctify them through thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
What does “sanctify” mean? We all can agree that there is a difference between the character and the personality of someone who is “sanctified” and someone who is not. The difference will be evident between theologians also, even they, the best in the world, can be ornery (sorry!).
We want to live in Christian harmony: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren [and sisters] to dwell together in unity!” Day after day it’s a joy to live. It was possible to live like that as far back in history as King David’s time (Psalm 133). It would be heaven on earth to live that way today!
We of all kindreds, tongues, and people can agree that a “sanctified” person will be what 1 Corinthians 13 describes:
He/she suffers long, is kind, doesn’t envy, doesn’t parade him/herself, isn’t puffed up, doesn’t behave rudely, isn’t provoked [easily, KJV ], thinks no evil (that is, doesn’t impute evil motives ), bears all things patiently, doesn’t rejoice when someone falls, believes and hopes all good things, and endures all bad things (!?), never breaks down the endurance of being crucified daily (Luke 9:23). This is being “sanctified”!
All this, but not being a wimp or a doormat; Jesus confronted some people very directly even sharply, but always His was a Christlike spirit. Oh, He could stand firm for what He knew is right (read Matt. 23:23-39)! No Christlike, sanctified person can be a wimp.
Father, Father! Please listen to Jesus’ prayer in our behalf—“sanctify [us]”!
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