May 1, 2023
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Q. What is required of those that hear the word preached?
A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.
– Westminster Larger Catechism, Q160.
The Scriptures are as true in Genesis as in Revelation, and the five books of Moses are as inspired as the four Gospels…. There is not one single mistake either in the word of God or in the providential dealings of God. Neither in the book of revelation nor of providence will there be any need to put a single note of errata. The Lord has nothing to regret or to retract, nothing to amend or to reverse.
Charles Spurgeon
From which the term "saint" is derived
The term "sanctify" is translated from the Greek word hagiazō, the same root from which the term "saint" is derived. This means to separate something—to set it apart—for an intended purpose. Leading up to this request, Jesus has referred to these men as being "in" the world (John 17:11), but also not "of" the world (John 17:14). Being "separated," in this case, does not mean a physical distance. It refers to a special purpose and a unique mission. All Christians are called on to be separated from the unbelieving world, spiritually (1 Corinthians 5:9–11) while also active in the world, practically (Matthew 5:13–16). ~ BibleRef
Christ equates that message—the "word"—with truth, itself.
Earlier this same evening, Jesus indicated the disciples were made "clean" by the message they had accepted (John 15:3; 17:8). That message is the "word" of God: the overall statement of truth He sends. In this exact context, it does not refer only to the written Scripture, though that is one part of God's message to us. The Greek term used here is logos, the same used by John at the beginning of this gospel in reference to Jesus (John 1:1). God's message is personal, in the form of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3) as well as textual, in the form of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Christ equates that message—the "word"—with truth, itself.
What God tells us through the person, the teaching, and the message of Christ is that which is real. It is actual; it is "truth" in the deepest and most fundamental sense. When God identified Himself to Moses, He used the expression "I Am" (Exodus 3:14). This is a phrase Jesus also echoed, as recorded seven times in John's gospel (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7–9; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). God is truth, and salvation comes when we accept the reality of who He is, and who we are (John 4:24; Romans 1:21–25; Philippians 2:9–11).
Sanctify them in the truth
It is through the Word of God that we are sanctified: "Sanctify them in the truth," Jesus prayed, "Your Word is truth." Yes, the Word of God is living and powerful and it is the Word of truth which has a beautiful, sanctifying effect on all God’s children. It is as we read and meditate on the truth of God’s Word, study its pages, hold its precious truth in our hearts, and trust our heavenly Father to complete the good work that He has started in us, that we find that Scripture has a powerful cleansing effect within, as we are set apart unto God - sanctified unto Him. ~ Knowing-Jesus
All that is of Christ and all that is recorded of Him - is contained in the Word is truth... and we are sanctified in the truth. Should we not praise the One Who has sanctified us, is continuing to sanctify us, and will one day bring our sanctification to its full and final completion? For He is Jehovah Meccadeshem – the LORD Who sanctifies us.
Knowing-Jesus
Every one of us that trusts in the Lord for salvation is already sanctified. We are positionally sanctified, for we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart unto God. But every believer is also going through a process of practical sanctification, for it is also a maturing in the faith as, day by day, we are being progressively conformed into the lovely image of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Knowing-Jesus