The Word that Sanctifies
Hebrews 4:12-13
"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
(ACTS 20:32)
Some time ago my wife and I set out to read through the Bible in one year. She was more faithful than I, completing the reading while I dropped out halfway through. But we both benefited from our reading and grew in our understanding and appreciation of God's character, His loving plan of redemption, and His instructions for living a holy life.
It is the reading of God's Word that sanctifies us and sinks down into our hearts. The Holy Spirit does His work of changing us to be more like Christ. Even though I didn't reach my "through-the-Bible" goal, I became more aware of my need to read the precious book that God Himself inspired and gave us. M.R. De Haan once said, "If the believer would spend half as much time in the Word, worship and prayer as he does in his social activities, he would set the world on fire."
May the Word of God set our hearts on fire; may it purify and refine us like gold. Jesus said, "I have given them your word... Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:14, 17).
INSIGHT
"WE PRAISE YOU, FATHER, FOR YOUR WORD WHICH YOU HAVE MADE READILY AVAILABLE TO US. THANK YOU FOR THE LIVING WORD THAT YOU SENT TO US."
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 1-2
Proverbs 11
James 1
Hebrews 4:12-13
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
GENESIS THROUGH THE JESUS LENS
Do you remember the stories of Noah, Abraham, and Joseph? These are all stories from Genesis. But what does the first book of the Old Testament have to do with Jesus? You might be surprised.
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