John 17:17. “Thy Word is truth.” God alone can sanctify His people through His truth. We cannot preserve ourselves or glorify ourselves. God has in mind for His people to be holy:
1. Elect, to be holy [Eph.1:4].
2. Predestinated, to be conformed to His Son [Rom.8:29].
3. Redeemed, to be purified to Himself a peculiar people [Titus 2:14].
4. Called, by the Holy Spirit to a holy calling [2Tim.1:9].
5. Truth revealed, that we might be sanctified [Jn.17:19].
6. Restoreth our soul, to be led in paths of righteousness [Ps.23:3].
7. Chastens us, that we might be partakers of His holiness [Heb.12:10].
Sanctify [Jn.10:36; Ez.36:23-27] involves the setting apart of certain people for blessing, and the Lord directing them to communicate those blessings. The Lord is praying that they will know for themselves, and then communicate, truth.