John 17:17-18 17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you have sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
God prepares before he sends. That is the lesson Blackaby teaches from today's verse. He references several verses where the disciples were challenged, chastised or rebuked by Jesus as part of the sanctification process.
Blackaby also reminds readers that these disciples were just men like us with an array of human foibles. Peter- temper. James and John- pride. Matthew- lack of business integrity. Yet, Jesus loved, corrected, encouraged and eventually used these and others like them to change the world.
I have a past that would rival the shortcomings of the worst of the 12. (Yes, even Judas, for my thoughts and actions have betrayed Christ to the world on countless occasions for much less than 30 pieces of silver.) It is easy for me to allow Satan to use those lost years to create doubt in my mind as to my present usefulness in Kingdom work. "Yet, there is no freedom that compares to a soul set free by God's grace." p. 21 Blackaby What a powerful statement! When those doubts start to creep in, claiming my God-given freedom from and forgiveness from sin can and will drive away those feelings of worthlessness and remind me I am sanctified, justified and will, one day, be glorified all because of the redemptive power of Christ's blood that was shed for me at Calvary. Praise God!
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