How should Jesus' sanctification by the Father influence our daily walk with God? Jesus Sanctified—Our Ground Zero “ ‘Do you say of the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You blaspheme,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”?’ ” (John 10:36) Jesus stands before hostile listeners and rests His entire identity on two unshakable facts: • The Father Himself has sanctified—set apart—Him. • The Father has sent Him on mission. Those twin certainties anchor everything Jesus says and does. They can anchor us too. Set Apart: What Sanctification Means • Biblically, to sanctify is to separate something (or someone) from common use for God’s exclusive purposes (Exodus 29:44; Leviticus 20:7–8). • In Jesus’ case, sanctification is perfect and complete; His entire being is dedicated to the Father’s will (Hebrews 7:26). • Our own sanctification begins the moment we trust Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30) and continues as the Spirit shapes us (2 Corinthians 3:18). Identity: Living From the Father’s Declaration • Because the Father publicly set Jesus apart, the Son never scrambles to prove Himself. • In Christ, we too are declared “holy and blameless” (Ephesians 1:4). • Daily walk takeaway: Start with who God says you are, not with how you feel or how others label you. Purpose: Sent People in a Sent Savior • The Father’s sanctifying act immediately included sending: “whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world.” • Jesus passes that pattern to us: “As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world” (John 17:18). • We are not aimless believers; we are commissioned ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). – Approach work, school, and neighborhood believing you are placed there on purpose. – Expect God-given opportunities to reflect the character of the One who sends you. Holiness: Choosing the Set-Apart Life • Jesus’ sanctification was not theoretical; it shaped every choice (John 8:29). • We are called to mirror that holiness: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15). Practical expressions: – Guard speech and media intake (Ephesians 4:29). – Pursue sexual integrity (1 Thessalonians 4:3–4). – Practice generosity in a self-focused culture (Acts 20:35). Confidence: Standing Firm Amid Accusation • Religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy, yet He refused to back down because He knew the Father’s verdict. • Believers will face misunderstanding (John 15:20). – When falsely charged, rest in God’s assessment (Romans 8:33–34). – Respond with truth and grace, not panic (1 Peter 3:15–16). Dependence: Truth as the Agent of Sanctification • Jesus prays, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). • Scripture is the Spirit’s primary tool for shaping our character. Daily habits that cooperate with Him: – Unhurried reading and meditation on the Word. – Quick obedience to what God reveals. – Regular fellowship with believers who speak Scripture into our lives (Colossians 3:16). Hope: The Final Perfecting Work • Though already set apart in Christ, we still await full conformity to His likeness (1 John 3:2). • The God who sanctified Jesus will accomplish our complete sanctification: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). • Each obedient step now is a preview of that glorious finish. Living under the same Father who sanctified and sent the Son means every moment is charged with identity, mission, holiness, assurance, growth, and hope. |
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