We live in a world that expects us to conform to its ways, many of which are contrary to God’s ways. This can be confusing for people who encounter contradicting views with the pull of peer and the world being quite strong. As Bible teachers, we have opportunity to teach our students to live in the world without compromising who they are in the Lord. It will require understanding God’s desire for, but also His means of, our sanctification.
Jesus Prayed for Our Sanctification
Knowing that we’d be living in a world full of turmoil, Jesus prayed that His disciples then and now would know His joy, an inward reality they could experience regardless of circumstances. But, He didn’t want His followers to retreat inwardly and ignore the world around them. They still lived in the world, though they were no longer “of” the world. He prayed,
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them … (Jn. 17:15-17)
As believers, we receive a new citizenship and a new identify (Eph. 2:19; Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Jn. 3:1-2). Though living on earth, we are now citizens of heaven. Though born in the flesh, we are now children of God. The objective in Jesus’ prayer is that we live as those who are sanctified … set apart, holy. We live as those who are His.
Looking at Jesus’ prayer, we can see what it will take for us to live in the world yet not look like the world:
1) being protected from the evil one, the ruler of this world (Eph. 2:2)
… protect them by the power of your name … My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (Jn. 17:11-12, 15)
Only in His name can we find such protection. We need to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” putting on His armor so we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:10-17).
2) rising above and not being controlled by circumstances
I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. (Jn. 17:13)
When we know His joy, it strengthens us in our inner being, enabling us to find peace and contentment even in the worst circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13) and when faced with antagonism from those who don’t believe (Jn. 17:14).
3) following Jesus’ example of living in the world
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. (Jn. 17:16)
Jesus came as the light of the world (Jn. 9:5), full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). He mingled with sinners (Matt. 11:19) yet never compromised. He lived life with purpose. So, as His followers we walk in truth (Jn. 3:21), holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:14-16), yet loving as He loves (Eph. 5:1-2).
4) aligning with God’s standard, not in conformity to the world
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (Jn. 17:17-19)
Jesus sanctified Himself by submitting to the Father’s ways, even to the point of death on the cross (Phil. 2:8). In the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt. 26:39) — We too must submit to the will of the Father, even if it means sacrifice, denying self of its lustful desires and sometimes even earthly comforts (Lk. 9:23).
Pointing People to the Means of Sanctification Requires Confronting Their View of the Word
Notice in John 17:17 that God uses His Word to sanctify us — “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” That’s where we learn His character which forms the essence of His ways. If we’re going to align to God’s standard and not conform to the world, we need to know His Word.
Truth sets us free (Jn. 8:32) to live in the fullness of our potential in Him. Truth thoroughly equips us “for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God uses His Word in the transformation process to renew our minds so we think more in accordance with God and His ways and consequently act and react in line with His “good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2). We use His Word to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5) which leads to our sanctification.
We must therefore help students understand that God’s Word isn’t confining but freeing. God’s Word isn’t something to merely know but to guide them in living a purposeful and fruitful life. God’s Word isn’t a man-made set of rules and regulations but inspired by God, His means of communicating with us that which is for our good.
For some students, we may need to take a step back, addressing their doubts and concerns about the veracity and authorship of the Bible. They won’t make following His Word a priority with an inadequate view of it. Help: Articles & Resources About the Bible
As Jesus did, let’s make sure we continue in prayer for God’s sanctifying work in our students’ lives that His Spirit guides them into all truth (Jn. 16:8-15) so they’re able to live purposefully in the world as the salt and light He intends them to be (Matt. 5:13-16).