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(Read John 17:17-19)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to teach on “Minimizing Your Humanity and Maximizing Your Divinity.” A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to what I consider to be the actual “Lord’s prayer.” It is a prayer Jesus prayed in John chapter 17. We are more than half way through the prayer now, having covered the first 16 verses. Today we will look at verses 17-19.
Jesus prayed, “Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes, so they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The Word of God is consecrating truth. In His prayer for us Jesus said, “Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth.” To consecrate means to set something apart for a particular use. Within the context of the Bible, when someone or something was consecrated it was set apart and designated to be used for the service of God. Any other use was a desecration; a violation of the sanctity surrounding the person or thing. So not only did God make plans for you before you were born and He actually set you apart for those plans before the foundations of the world (Jer 1:5), but when you read God’s Word and you submit to the process of mind renewal — transforming the way you think to come in alignment with the way God thinks — you actually accept and align with the consecration God destined for you. In this way God’s Word is consecrating truth. The more you get the Word down in your heart, the more set apart you will be from the ways of this world and the more prepared you will be for the Master’s use.
2. You are here on a divine assignment. In His prayer for us Jesus said, “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” Another translation reads, “Just as You sent me into the world, I send them into the world.” You are not a mistake. You are here for God’s divine purpose, but if you choose to live a self-centered, self-absorbed and self-pleasing life, you run the risk of missing your purpose and failing to complete your divine assignment. This is why it is so very important to die to self, to minimize your humanity, and to allow God’s divinity to flow through you. This way you get to accept God’s assignment and walk with confidence as He sends you into the world – to make the difference you were born to make!
3. Jesus paid a great price for you. In His prayer for us Jesus said, “ I’m consecrating myself for their sakes, so they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.” Another translation says that Jesus did what He did so that we “might be fully qualified for the Lord’s service.” Jesus died on Calvary’s cross for YOU! Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because you owed a price you could not pay. Jesus took your place on the cross, He paid your penalty and He did it willingly, so that you could be free from the power of sin and death. Jesus made you free and He qualified you for the Lord’s service, so that you could operate in the earth as a healed, healthy, blessed, prosperous, successful, righteous, anointed and assigned child of the Most High God. Please don’t waste, neglect, devalue or disrespect what Jesus did for you. The more you understand the price Jesus paid for you, the more you should want to live for Him and the more apt you will be to pursue your purpose with bulldog-tenacity.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for making plans for me before the foundations of the world. I am not a mistake. You thought about me before my mother met my father. You sanctified me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. You assigned me to a particular purpose before the world began. However, You knew I would be born in sin and shapen in iniquity. You knew I would be born under the dominion of satan, ensnared by the power of sin, and stifled by the fear of death. With this in mind, You sent Your Son Jesus to die for me. Jesus paid my penalty. Jesus paid a price I could not pay, for a debt He did not owe. Jesus gave His life for me by grace. I heard the gospel message. I responded to it and I accepted Jesus as my Lord. As soon as I did, I was translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Your dear Son. Sin and death have no power over me. I am covered by the blood of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, and called according to Your purpose. You sent Jesus into the world and He now sends me into the world. I am not here to perform my own will, but rather the will of Him who sent me. Jesus paid too great a price for me to live like it means nothing. I accept the gift of righteousness I have through Christ Jesus. I accept the abundance of grace You give me to accomplish Your divine assignment. I pursue my purpose with bulldog-tenacity, with my confidence firmly rooted and grounded in You. Not because I am perfect, but because I am forgiven. Not because I am good enough, but because of Your grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
