So I like to look up words. I actually love dictionaries. I think I’ll have a day someday that I will just sit with a dictionary and travel around. Looking up one word will lead me to another and another and I’ll sit in front of the fire on a snowy day with my mug full of deliciousness and just be in the dictionary. I was gifted a big, big, big wonderful dictionary and it is now my very favorite dictionary. It even shows me Latin roots and it is big. Did I mention it is really big?
I love the meaning of things. The truth. Often in my journaling I will get a word that isn’t my usual vocabulary. This is an indicator that it is from Holy Spirit as it is not a word I would think to use. When the word is highlighted, I look up the meaning. Since I am sitting with my phone, I often use the internet and jot haphazard notes that lead me to scripture and thoughts. So here is a word musing from my journal earlier this week.
Sanctification: is the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy. Sanctification is God’s will for us.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.
State of separation unto God.
Hebrews 10:8-10 First he (Jesus) said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And from gotquestions.org this gem,
John 10:36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?
That Jesus set Himself apart for God’s purpose is both basis and condition of our being set apart. Prior to salvation our behavior bore witness to our standing in the world in separation from God, but now our behavior should bear witness to our standing before God in separation from the world.
Hebrews 10:14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Sanctification, translation from Greek word hagiasmos = holiness or separation.
Beth (B) – Yes Lord- your way today – Yes Lord. Thank you for your sanctification – the work by grace you are doing in me for your glory – not by might nor by strength but by your power Lord (loosely Zechariah 4:6). Thank you, Lord.
And isn’t it interesting how radical that looks. It looks radical in the way we live, the choices we make, the way we think, the way we speak. Separation is radical. Holiness is a choice. I choose to focus on you God, on what you say and what you think. It is worth everything to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It is worth judgment and opinion and criticism and hurt feelings and all. It is worth choosing you over man’s idea every time. Thank you, Lord, for continuing to show me your way and giving me your strength to stand with you in the midst of the storm.
This vision was from years ago, I was at the front of a boat in a severe storm and I was standing with my eyes focused straight ahead. Again, I am reminded of your call to keep my eyes on you. The distractions of this world are constantly vying for my attention and still I choose to stay firmly planted, standing, eyes on you. I will not be shaken. I will not be dismayed. I will not be confused by the nonsense. I will stay focused on truth. And when I cry out, I know you hear me and you whisper again, Be still and know I am God.
Excerpt from Truth In Hard Places