Sanctification

TEXT: John 17:9-23; Hebrews 13:12

When a person turns to God, repenting of and forsaking his sins, God is faithful and just to forgive those sins. However, there still remains in the heart the sin-principle which was born in him. He is not responsible for it; it was handed down from his forebears. Yet, God has made a way for this to be removed. The same Sacrifice that brought salvation to man also provides the means by which he might be sanctified—a second, definite work of grace in the heart, in which the principle of sin, or Adamic nature, is eradicated. Therefore it is necessary to seek sanctification.

QUESTIONS

1. Who was Jesus praying for in John 17:9? What would you say was the spiritual condition of these people? Why do you think so?
2. What verse from today’s lesson proves that the world hates the followers of Jesus? Why is this true?
3. In verse 11, Jesus prayed to His Father, “that they may be one, as we are.” Ephesians 4:3-6 gives a further description of this oneness. Why is this unity among believers so vital?
4. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” What is sanctification? How does this experience help a follower of Jesus?
5. The dictionary gives two definitions for the word sanctify: “to set aside for a sacred purpose or to consecrate,” and “to free from sin, or purify.” When Jesus said, “I sanctify myself,” to which of the definitions did He refer? How do the two definitions apply to us when we seek to be sanctified?
6. How do we know that sanctification is within God’s will for us? See John 17:15-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
7. Why is sanctification necessary in the life of a Christian? See Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 12:14.
8. Describe, in your own words, what you think the key verse means. See also Leviticus 16:11-19,27.
9. How do we know that Jesus’ prayer was answered in the lives of His disciples? See Acts 2:1.