Read John 17
Highlights:
Jesus' prayer of intercession; betrayal and arrest; Peter's denial.
Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth (John 17:17).
On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus' countenance had shone like the sun; His garments were white as the light; and the voice of God had spoken from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matt. 17:5).
But here as He prayed His great intercessary prayer, His Spirit shone like the sun and His voice of prayer beamed like a majestic light, saying, Sanctify them through Thy truth. He brings to our hearts the divine love of God that impresses His disciples to have a great desire to live for the One who died for them (2 Cor. 5:1, 14-21). His love inspires a hatred for sin and a clear intent of separation from this world system of things. Because we truly love Christ, we will be against worldly things. We will constantly be at odds with the enemy, Satan. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24).
When Jesus prayed for those who are not of the world (John 17:14-16), He did not mean for them to not associate with unbelievers. The believer is in the world, but should not be of the world. His daily conduct should be such that the unbelieving world can clearly tell he is a child of God. Sometimes what they see makes it hard to tell the difference. However, it should be the easiest thing on earth to tell the child of God from the unbeliever. Since He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (Eph. 1:3-5). Our lives should reveal us to be followers of Jesus Christ. We have been transformed from our old ways to something new. The old us is gone and we truly are a new person in Christ. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17).
Some have attempted to live in seclusion in order to avoid being contaminated by the unsaved, thinking they can escape the pollutions of the world. But they are ignoring the purpose for which they were sent into the world which is to share Christ with others. As Christ, the Light of the World (John 8:12), did not avoid the public, so we as His disciples will “shine” not only at the family altar or in worship, but in our everyday conversation and conduct in the world.
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (living) (1 Pet. 1:15).
Thought for Today:
The precious Holy Spirit will apply God's Word to our hearts if we faithfully read it each day.
Cross Reference:
For John 17:12: See Ps. 41:9.
Word Studies:
17:12 the son of perdition, Judas Iscariot; 18:30 malefactor, evildoer, criminal.
Prayer Suggestion: Read, study and listen to the Word of God so that your prayers will be answered (Prov. 28:9).
Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 3:3
