John 17:17-19
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
The Bible says that "For no word from God will ever fail." God's word is mightily powerful, and one of its functions is for our life to become sanctified. How does the word of God sanctify our lives? First, James 1:23 says that God's word is like a mirror; when we read Hips word, we can see our filthiness. It's like you take a towel to casually wipe your face in the morning, thinking it has been cleanse, but when you are out everyone laughs at your dirty face. You thought it's strange because you had wiped your face pretty hard just now. Yes, you might have wiped your face, but how would you know how dirty your face is without looking in the mirror.
That's how most people are, we wipe ourselves in our own ways and we think we are righteous, but our life is actually filled with all kinds of filthiness. We need to read God's word so that we would see our true look. I grew up in church and I've always been considered a good kid to my parents and teachers. I did that, however, only to please the adults. One day I ready God's word, and discovered that the sin abhorred most by the Lord is hypocrisy! I then humbled myself and asked God to forgive my sins. Brothers and sisters, are you using God's word as a mirror to see yourself? Don't listen to sermons for other people all the time and look in the mirror for others. May God enlighten you and help you see the darkness insides, so that you may ask God to sanctify you.
Next, Ephesians 5:26 says that God's word is like water that can cleanse our filthiness. God's word is like a mirror that can help you to recognize your filthiness, but if you see if and do not take any action, the dirt won't just go away. You must use God's word on you like water so that your dirty spot can be washed away. In other word, we must follow God's word in our daily life. God says that we must stay away from sin, so we need to do so. God says that we must beware of our words, so we need to cautious with the words from our mouths; we must be careful with criticizing others, and even the so-called "constructive criticism" needs to be conveyed wisely. Obedience has the power to clean and to remove all the impurities from your life!
Third, Ephesians 6:14 says that God's word can be used to buckle around our waist. In ancient times, the belt symbolizes strength. In the same way we need to use God's word to become our strength to defend against the temptations from the enemy. When you follow God's word to become sanctified, the enemy will surely continue to tempt you and attack you, so you must use God's word to defend yourself. Just like how Lord Jesus used God's word to defend against the temptations and attacks from devil Satan in the desert, God's word will also give you strength to overcome the enemy!
Pray with Pastor Tong
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