Sanctifying Work

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: Psalm 118:5-6

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;

    the Lord answered me and set me free.

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

    What can man do to me?

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today's reading: Genesis 27-28 Matthew 8:18-34

A Deep Sanctifying Work

As we study God's word we should expect a deep sanctifying work in our hearts and minds.

Sanctify is not a relevant word in this world today. But in our Christian lives in God's kingdom, it is as relevant as it has ever been. In any case, we need to know what Jesus meant when He said,

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17 (ESV)

In Romans 15:14–21 God tells us through Paul that sanctification begins with Gods' grace to Him and that means God's grace is also given to us (verse 15).

Paul says in verse 17 that through his "proclaiming of the word" they might be 'sanctified by the Holy Spirit'. I believe this also tells us that through our study of the word with good teachers and our individual studies, we will be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

But what exactly is sanctification? In Romans 15:18, we read, ""I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me to 'win obedience from the Gentiles'.

 In Matthew 26:16-20 Jesus says, "teaching them 'to observe' all that I have commanded you.

Observe and obey God's word in Christ Jesus-that is sanctification. We live in a spiritual war:

Ephesians 6:12 ►"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The only way for us to know victory in this war is to observe all the things Jesus said-to obey-to seek-to grow day by day-to expect the Holy Spirit to continue in strengthening us to obey and giving us a desire to be obedient to the righteous and Holy Word of God.

Getting better in Christ everyday-sanctification.

...because He loves us...

 Father in Heaven,

Your name is cleansing and purifying. Give me the desire I need to obey in Your kingdom's work. Forgive me for not taking it seriously. Lead me away from apathy.

Righteous and Pure God of all,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen