Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Much can be learned in the issues of first use. Here God has sanctified the seventh day, the Sabbath. It is to be noted that God alone did this, man had not been created at this point. It is a blessing and a declaration based on God’s character and will. In this lesson of God sanctifies we shall look at things from a standpoint of character and will regardless of man’s actions, awareness or obedience of faith.

Sanctified is a thing or person whom God has declared sacred and set apart.

Exodus 29:44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office.

Leviticus 20:8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.

There is purpose behind God’s declaration.

Leviticus 21:15 Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the Lord do sanctify him.

Leviticus 21:23 Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the Lord do sanctify them.

God prescribes acceptable behavior towards that which He sanctifies. Respect is expected.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Yesterday I reintroduced a word into our conversation that is very important, sanctification. In Sanka I only mentioned that it happens. As we grow in Christ our understandings become deeper, so let us revisit this issue in greater depth.

Sanctification happens on two levels, the heavenly realm and in each of us who believe. It can be a complicated conversation on how and why God sanctifies. In my effort to simplify I think it best to explain things on our own personal level.

Here in John 17:17 is our basic training in sanctification. The Word of God is Truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Truth is our defense against Satan who we know from John 10:10 is out to kill, steal and destroy. All we have to do is look at the temptations of Christ to see how truth works.

Every temptation Satan placed at the feet of Jesus was refuted with scripture. “It is said, it is written” refers back to the proper quoting and context of the Word of God to push aside the lies of the enemy. The Word of God is the standard for our separation from sin.

Sanctification is a sorting process. From God’s point of view, it is separating holiness from sin. From our point of view, it is separating truth from lies. Is this of God or is this of Satan? The Word of God, His word of truth, is our standard for determining what is truth and what are lies.

We who have been walking in faith for decades will always encourage you to read your bibles daily. We cannot rely on Sunday sermons as being enough spiritual source of truth to get us through another day much less a week. Getting the Word of God into your memory banks allows the Spirit of Truth to help you combat the lies of the enemy when you hear them and see them.

2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

Establish yourself in truth.