We now continue in this “Lord’s Prayer” with John 17:13-19.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Questions for discussion:
- Jesus stated that he did not want to take his Apostles out of the world, but protect them. Can you name some Scriptures of how we are to integrate in the world, as Christians, but not be a part of it?
- What does Jesus mean by “sanctify?”
- Do you feel sanctified? In what way?
Rick's thoughts:
1. Jesus stated that he did not want to take his Apostles out of the world, but protect them. Can you name some Scriptures of how we are to integrate in the world, as Christians, but not be a part of it?
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16)
2. What does Jesus mean by “sanctify?”
1 : to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate. 2 : to free from sin : purify. 3a : to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to. We are to be an example in the world, but not a part of its evil. Sin will draw us away from this which is why we must always fight the good fight.
3.Do you feel sanctified? In what way?
Yes, I feel blessed, but it is sometimes hard to remember it. Just like in any relationship, we tend to settle in and take it for granted focusing on what we don't have, as opposed to the greater things that we do have. I have to remind myself that I am set apart to help build the Kingdom of God and cannot let sin or anything else get in its way.