Understand Its Power
A Sanctifier

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:14-24

Key Verse: John 17:17

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

In the suggested reading section today we read that without holiness no one will see the Lord.  This statement makes understanding and obtaining holiness a very important pursuit.  The avenue to holiness is our sanctification.  In the Old Testament, when the people would bring articles to be used in the temple, they would sanctify them, setting these articles aside for sacred purposes.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 we read that God wants to sanctify us – setting us aside for His sacred purposes.

Our printed key verse reminds us that it is God’s Word, the Bible, which sanctifies us as we read it, believe it, and apply it to our lives.  This is not describing our initial surrender to God’s sanctifying Word.  That sanctification is done by God Himself, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:23.  For the rest of our lives, the Word leads us into a holy lifestyle.  It sanctifies us by guiding us away from all that would cause us to sin against God.  As we read and follow God’s Word, we are being cleansed from habits and behaviors that will grieve the heart of God.  Jesus said it simply, “Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth” (John 17:17).

The Bible is powerful and can set us apart for God’s sacred purpose as we read and obey it!

Father, I will read my Bible today – not for “brownie points” but for guiding points to honor and glorify you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.