What is the meaning of John 17:17? Sanctify them “Sanctify” means to set apart for God’s special use. Here, Jesus is praying that His disciples would be devoted wholly to God’s purposes—morally pure, spiritually distinct, and useful to His mission. • In John 15:19, Jesus already said, “You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world.” Now He asks the Father to deepen that distinction. • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 echoes the same desire: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely.” • Leviticus 20:7–8 shows God’s consistent heart: “Consecrate yourselves… and keep My statutes, for I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” Jesus’ request assures us that sanctification is God’s work, not merely self-effort. He is the One who separates, cleanses, and prepares us for holy living. by the truth The instrument God uses is “the truth.” Truth is not abstract; it is the reality revealed by God. • Psalm 119:9 ties purity to truth’s pathway: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.” • Ephesians 4:21–24 shows how truth renews the mind and creates a new self “in true righteousness and holiness.” • James 1:18 reminds us that God “chose to give us birth through the word of truth.” Sanctification, then, happens as we continually encounter and submit to what God says is real, right, and unchanging. Your word is truth Jesus identifies the Father’s word as the very definition of truth. Scripture is not merely true; it is truth itself, the standard by which everything else is measured. • Psalm 33:4 affirms, “The word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is trustworthy.” • Proverbs 30:5 declares, “Every word of God is flawless.” • 2 Timothy 3:16–17 shows the practical effect: all Scripture “is God-breathed… so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” By anchoring sanctification to God’s written word, Jesus assures us that holiness grows as we feed on Scripture, obey it, and let it reshape our thoughts, motives, and actions. summary John 17:17 reveals a simple, liberating pattern: God Himself sets His people apart, He does it through the objective reality of divine truth, and that truth is found in His infallible word. As we submit to Scripture, the Father answers Jesus’ prayer in us—shaping hearts, clarifying minds, and empowering lives that shine His holiness in a watching world. |
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