And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 5:23)

What do you desire most of God? How far are you willing to go with God? At first thought I might say “all the way that I might know Him and fully please Him.” Some may say “wherever He leads I will go.” Too often our intents are honorable until we fully consider the cost. The way to oneness with God is sanctification. Sanctification is separation unto God. Sanctification means intense concentration on God’s point of view for God’s purpose. Not in some things, but in all things. Oswald Chambers noted that “sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the disposition (Spirit) that ruled Him will rule us.” Some things we easily forsake. Things of least value, things that cause us pain and give us least pleasure. Our greatest struggles are with things of greater value, things of pleasure and the things that seem to add to our personal security. Our greatest stressors and difficulties come when we ponder and face separation from the things deemed pleasurable in this life. Jesus prayed that we might be one with Him as he is One with the Father. He forsook all. He became a servant and surrendered Himself in obedience to the Father “to the point of death, even death of the cross” (Php 2:8). So often we cling to our worldly possessions, worldly pleasures, personal accomplishments, and insecurities, rather than to humbly surrender and separate unto “the very God of peace.” What things of God are you missing out on? God desires to “sanctify you wholly” that you might be “preserved blameless” and one with Him through Jesus Christ our Lord. What amazing love! Love that is far greater than I could ever think or imagine. Father, I thank You for the work of sanctification. Minister to our hearts a greater desire to be like Christ and conformed to His likeness. Today, I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, that we be renewed and refreshed in the God of peace, and that our eyes may be draw to the things above and not the things in this world. In the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. (John 17:13)

We find in our scripture passage this morning the core character trait in the life of a Christian. The joy of Christ! In the final moments before His arrest and trial that would lead to His death on the cross, Jesus prayed to the Father that “My joy fulfilled in themselves.” Of all the things that Jesus wanted for His disciples, it was His joy. Jesus spoke often of His joy to the His disciples. They witnessed in His joy that came not from the world, not from the acceptance and appreciation of others, not from the approval of the religious leadership or those with authority, nor from His miraculous personal accomplishments. His joy was completely founded in the relationship He had with the Father. He had joy in knowing that word of God was being fulfilled. Jesus prayed that “they may be one as We are” and that His joy be complete and filled in them. My friends, joy is the birthright for every born-again child of God. The joy of Christ settles deep within our hearts as we grow in a fulfilled relationship with the Father and realize we are children of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom8:16-17). His joy is filled in our hearts as come to know that we were once dead in sin but now are alive in Christ (Rom 6:4). Jesus prayed that His disciples and, also “those who will believe in Me through their word” (v.20) to be filled with His joy. It is a joy that is unshakeable and not move by any circumstance. Father, I pray for all who trust Jesus as Savior that they be filled and characterized by the joy of Christ. Thank You for Your abiding Presence, for filling us with the Your joy and lead us to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet 1:8). In Jesus Name. Amen.