John 17:17 (KJV), “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”.
The Chaplain said to the newly admitted students:
“Can you believe that Evangelist Gift was my vice president back in my university days? I gave the instructions and he followed, but he’s now one of the most renowned evangelists in the world. You know, he never kept a girlfriend, didn’t eat any sister’s food, and never counseled with a sister, God said he shouldn’t, he claimed. If he is not in class or studying his books, he is either praying or studying his Bible. We called him names and denied him certain privileges because we thought he was being unnecessarily pious. It is obvious today that he was right and I was wrong. I’m not comparing myself with him, God’s mercy has found me, but I want you to know that your obedience to God’s word and instructions will determine how far He can go with you.”
Sanctification is not a gift, so it cannot be imparted, it is a work that must be done individually (Phil. 2:12). Corporate fellowship, prayers, and Bible studies are good if they culminate into personal disciplines that lead to personal dedication to the truth of the word of God.
When you begin to journey on the path of sanctification, God will begin to give you instructions that are peculiar to you. For instance, you may be instructed to stop watching movies, to give a certain percentage of your income to [the work of] God, to pick up certain kinds of jobs and never to accept others even when the pay is better, to pray for a number of hours daily, or to move to a certain location, etc.
No razor was to touch the head of Samson for he was a Nazarite unto God (Judges 13:5) and John the Baptist must drink neither wine nor strong drink but shall be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15). What instruction has God given you regarding your sanctification? Note that, just like Samson and John became great, you will also be great if you observe them. But if you choose to break your consecration either by neglecting these specific and unique instructions or by doing contrary to the written word of God, the promised greatness may never be actualized.
It is sanctification that consecrates and separates us unto God. It is proof that we are willing to follow God not just because of gains but because we love Him and desire to serve His purpose. This is what determines whether you will be great in the kingdom of God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please forgive my past disobedience and help me to spend the rest of my life in obedience to you. Amen
—Dr. Emmanuel James
Yearly Bible: Micah (In today’s Audio)
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