Sanctified and Useful for the Master

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” . Paul said this to the elders in Ephesus on his way to Rome, knowing perhaps that this may be the last time he would see them. His life experience stood behind these words. Those who were in that gathering experienced a powerful, life-changing testimony from Paul in that moment. It was such a powerful time that they ended it with a prayer meeting. His life experience was that this understanding had sustained him through all of life’s many situations: in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, etc. He knew that the word of God was the very best thing he could offer to them. It is only the word of God that can build us up and give us an inheritance among the saints, that is, among those who allow themselves to be sanctified.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” . This was a deep prayer in Jesus’ heart. It is by obedience to the word of truth that we are sanctified and come to the inheritance among those who are sanctified. Many people were excited when Jesus did miracles and healed the sick, etc., but how many were truly interested in the word of truth He spoke?

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” . If you want to be useful for the Master in the body of Christ, then you have to be in the process of sanctification. That process includes reproof, correction, and instruction. How interested am I when I am reproved, corrected, instructed? Do I then see the eternal value of what God wants to accomplish? Do I seek out the hidden wisdom that God wants to give me so that I can be approved for every good work? Many people get excited about the doctrine—it’s profitable for that too—but when the chastisement comes, how many stick around then? “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” . When the word comes, we need enlightened eyes, to receive it with meekness, so that the reproof, correction and instruction can save our souls.

“Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” . Peter understood the eternal value in Jesus’ words, so he could respond decidedly and emphatically. In life’s circumstances, when it is uncomfortable for the flesh, a true disciple sees the eternal value in the words of Jesus and does not “go away” from them. When the word of truth comes, we can enter into sanctification by acknowledging the truth and hating the sin that the truth exposes, even though it is uncomfortable for our flesh. Then the glory of the life of Jesus begins to be revealed in us.

Sanctification is a lifelong process. The more we go into sanctification, the more useful we become for the Master, who longs to use us for every good work. “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Tim 2:21.

Thomas Baby