Scripture Text: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17 (KJV) Read Also John 17:9-17; Eph 5:25-28

We have been leading up to some wonderful truths here that I think are KEY to our understanding of the "Spirit-filled Life".

I cannot help but think of our Lord as he agonized there in the Garden praying for you and for me. His work was yet unfinished for he had not yet died for the sins of man - yet he prayed to God the Father for those He had claimed for Him and asked the Father to sanctify them by Himself. He said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

In other words he asks the Father to purify them; to consecrate them; to separate them for Himself and to render them holy by the Truth which was the WORD. Oh Glory to God! Can you testify to that sanctifying power in your life today? Have you been so cleansed from your sin today and allowed God to so clean you out that you are emptied out? You must confess everything to Him and allow him to so clean you out that you are hallow. Unless you are hallow - God cannot fill you with Himself. Now, there is someone today who just laughed at that at you said out loud - well, I'm numb does that count? YES! Sometimes our situations bring us to such a place in life where we can no longer cope. You are a PRIME CANDIDATE to be cleansed and washed out from every stronghold in your life and to be filled with the Spirit of God. I mean, what do you have to lose? It is God's desire today to separate you from profanity and lustful thoughts. It is God's desire today to set you free from your burdens of sins of the past and the mistakes that you have made that no one seemingly forgives you of - or forgets! GOD WILL DO IT! Ask Him! Let Him Free you today and set you on fire for him.

Now I want to take this one step further and get into meddling here . . .

One of the places that many preacher make a major mistake is that they teach forgiveness and repentance: they even teach Holiness, but they forget to apply it to marriage and the family.

The whole idea of marriage was for the union of one man and woman to be "sanctified" in their union before GOD. Now here's where you can get loosed from a whole lot of baggage and it's not going to necessarily take you a whole lot of money and a whole lot of time sitting in therapy sessions with a counselor - and it works - because I have seen it happen in many couples lives. In fact, my wife Osella and I have used this little exercise, and we've been married now for 36 years (Feb 8th). Are you ready?

Go to your wife or husband and take them by the hand and tell them you need to talk to them. You may need to go somewhere so you can be alone - maybe a park or something, but it's important that there are NO INTERRUPTIONS!

When you get to your destination take them by the hand and just say, "What I have to say needs to be said and I would appreciate it if you would let me get it out and then I will listen to whatever you have to say". Then say, "I want to start over! I have not been the perfect husband / wife and I want to be. I love you more today than I ever thought I could, and I have been unforgiving and manipulative, unthankful and mostly unholy." (You can put in your own character flaws there to fit your relationship but those words fit about every marriage that is having problems)

Continue by saying. "I want to ask your forgiveness for all of the ways that I have ever hurt you and I want to be a better husband / wife to you. I am willing to do whatever it takes in the eyes of God to make this relationship better if you will forgive me for the way I have been and start over with me - allowing God once again to sanctify our marriage."

Now friend - I know after years of being a Pastor that in many cases the innocent party - the one who is actually the saint in the marriage will probably have to be the one to initiate this - but think of the prize. A marriage sanctified and in right-standing before God again. The key thing here is to make sure that you pray together at the end of your talk and ask God to give you both a clean slate and that you never bring up anything from the past EVER AGAIN! God has forgiven you and He doesn't bring up your past - you have to live in His pattern set for you.

I have at least one person write me every week with a failed marriage. I am angry that the devil is killing our kids because the parents are getting divorced and trying to "hurt the other one more" while the kids are in utter terror that they will be without a mom or dad - and wonder all the time if they are at fault.

Remember to be sanctified and live Holy Lives before God we must empty ourselves of ourselves and ask Him to fill us. If you can come to that place in your life; in your marriage... you will live a holy life "undefiled" and your children will grow up to be trees planted by the stream of water whose leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper. (ref., Ps 1:3)

Let's pray:

Father, we cannot be holy unless we allow you to work in our lives. Father, help me to empty myself of everything that would keep me from working for you and living for you. Sanctify not only me, but sanctify my marriage as we live for thee - forgetting the past and looking ahead to the joy of living for you and in you. In Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen.