João 17

João 17

Calvin wrote, “The present life . . . has many enticements, a great show of delight, grace, and sweetness. We ought to have such fondness for it that we regard it as one of the gifts of divine goodness which are by no means to be despised.” God’s gifts to us are abundant and should be enjoyed (1 Timothy 6:17). Yet we need to have a balanced attitude—to appreciate this world and at the same time refuse to be shortsighted captives of the here-and-now. That attitude was modeled by Jesus. He enjoyed feasts and weddings (John 2:1-2), He loved little children (Matthew 19:13-15), and He gladly provided for the needs of hungry people (Matthew 14:15-21). He promised and practiced abundant living (John 10:10). Yet, during His time on earth, He prayed longingly for His return to the joy of heaven (John 17:4-5). He was in the world, but He was not of it. God gave us this earth to enjoy, Its beauty and wonder to know; But when the time comes to go home, We won't miss a thing here below. —Hess Make the most of life on earth—but know the best is yet to come. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. NLT John 17:17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. NJB John 17:17 Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. NAB John 17:17 Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. Sanctify: John 17:19 8:32 15:3 Ps 19:7-9 119:9,11,104 Lu 8:11,15 Ac 15:9 2Co 3:18 Eph 5:26 2Th 2:13 Jas 1:21 1Pe 1:22,23 word: John 8:40 2Sa 7:28 Ps 12:6 19:7 119:144,151,152 Eph 4:21 2Ti 2:25-26 See J C Ryle's discussion of Sanctification related to John 17:17 Related Passages: 2 Timothy 2:21+ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified (hagiazo), useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Acts 20:32+ And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which (THE WORD IS THE INSTRUMENT) is able to build you up (SANCTIFY YOU - EXPERIENTIALLY OR IN PRACTICE) and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (POSITIONALLY - REFERS TO HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED). John 15:3+ “You are already clean (JUSTIFIED - PAST TENSE SALVATION) because of the word which I have spoken to you. EXPERIENTIAL SANCTIFICATION BY THE WORD OF TRUTH Notice how Jesus has just said His disciples are not of the world, which is another way of describing separation from the world. Now Jesus requests that their separation will become a reality by the use of the Word of God. Sanctify (hagiazo) them in the truth (aletheia) - Sanctify (hagiazo) is the aorist imperative which injects a sense of urgency in Jesus' request to set the disciples apart (or separate them) from sin and unto God for the special purpose of proclamation of the Gospel of salvation to the hostile world. Keep in mind that the disciples were positionally sanctified for Jesus declared to the eleven "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (Jn 15:3+ cf Jn 13:10+). Jesus is asking for them to now have "experiential" sanctification, which describes a lifelong process as the Spirit conforms disciples to the Word of Truth. It is interesting that the verb hagiazo in the pagan world meant “to set apart for the gods,” and for Christians clearly means “set apart for the only true God.” And just as the worshipper of the pagan god acquired the character of that god and the religious ceremonies connected with its worship, so too the follower of Christ is to be sanctified, to be gradually "transformed into the same image (OF CHRIST) from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (2Cor 3:18+). The Spirit uses the written Word to transform us into conformity with the Living Word (Jn 1:1, cf also "the Truth" Jn 14:6)! This of course is the process of progressive sanctification, progressively separating the disciple from evil and unto God to be used for His purposes and His glory. THOUGHT - Beloved disciple of Christ, you have been set apart for a very special task, for service to the Most High God. But to serve, one must prepare themselves for service. Jesus gives us the best preparation possible, taking in the Word of God, the Word of truth, for by it we will grow in respect to salvation (progressive sanctification). Mark it down that if you give little attention to the Word, God will give you little attention in His royal service! In short, you cannot be an excellent servant of the Lord unless you are continually in His excellent Word (and His Word gets into your innermost being). And even though John 17 was His prayer for the 11 disciples, He is now in Heaven continually praying for our ongoing sanctification (Heb 7:25+, Ro 8:34+) Note that in the Truth (aletheia) is locative of sphere which simply describes the "atmosphere" in which a disciple is to live and breathe and have his or her being. A fish in the "atmosphere" of water functions as a fish should function, but a fish in the (literal) atmosphere is dysfunctional and eventually will expire. The same logic applies to disciples who need to continually abide (dwell) in the Word (Jn 8:31) and continually let the Word dwell in them (Col 3:16). This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book. -- D L Moody David