“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”F Romans 8:3, 4.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth,” He prayed (verse 17). “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes, I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. “Neither prays I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (verses 18-23).

Today the One who uttered this prayer is interceding before the Father on behalf of the human beings He has redeemed. He presents them to Jehovah, saying, “I have graven them upon the palms of My hands” (cf. Isaiah 49:16).

Sanctification is to come through the truth; oneness with Christ – this is God’s purpose for us. By their sanctification and their unity, Christians are to give evidence to the world that perfect work has been done for them, in and through Christ. Thus they are to bear witness that God sent His Son to save sinners. Will you not let Christ carry on this work of sanctification in your hearts? You may all be complete in Him. You have the assurance that through the sanctification of the truth you may be made perfect in one.” –The Upward Look, p. 31.

Questions to think about:

Will you not let Christ carry on His work of sanctification in your hearts?

What kind of evidence do we need to give to the world?

Am I complete in Christ? Do I need to wake up spiritually?