Set Apart By The Word

First Christian Church of Chicago
Feb 3
2 min read

Scripture Focus: John 17:17

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (NIV)

Devotional Thought

We all hunger for clarity — clarity about what is right, what is faithful, and who we are becoming. Absence of clarity can leave us anxious confused or even without hope. Jesus teaches that truth is not something we craft; it is something God reveals.

Interpretation

Jesus prays to the Father on behalf of his disciples, asking God to "sanctify them in the truth," which means to set them apart as holy and dedicated for divine service amid a hostile world. He immediately identifies the means of this sanctification by declaring, "Your word is truth," affirming that Scripture itself — God's revealed promises, teachings, and gospel — is the ultimate standard of reality, not human opinion or shifting circumstances. This prayer reveals Jesus' confidence that immersion in God's truthful word progressively transforms believers, purifying their hearts and aligning their lives with God's purposes. For everyday followers, it underscores how regularly encountering Scripture allows God's truth to reshape thoughts, desires, and actions toward Christlikeness.

Contemporary Relevance

God continues to form His people through Scripture. The Word purifies motives, shapes identity, confronts false beliefs, and equips believers to bear witness in a confused world. Scripture becomes the plumb line for the Church—not national loyalty, personal preference, or popular opinion. When God’s people are steeped in His Word, they become distinct — not withdrawn from the world but transformed for God’s mission within it.