Right Conduct
“Sanctify them in truth; Thy word is truth.” John 17:17
Truth – Pay close attention. Why does Jesus say, “Sanctify them in the truth” rather than “Sanctify them with the truth?” (By the way, the definite article the is in the text, but left out in English translations. You might want to ask why?) We wouldn’t say what Jesus said. It doesn’t sound quite right. But there is a very important reason why Jesus’ words sound funny to our ears. Once we understand what He is really saying, He makes perfect sense.
One of the fundamental differences between the Greek worldview and the Hebrew worldview is the place of reason and the place of conduct. For the Greeks, reason was the supreme path to salvation. “As I think, I am,” would be a very Greek motto. The Greeks believed that correct thinking was the solution to life’s problems. Therefore, the truth was found in correct thought, in understanding with my mind what the real problem and the real solution is. Greeks are thoroughly committed to intellectual analysis in pursuit of freedom.
But the Hebrew worldview takes a completely different approach. It is about correct action. From the Hebrew perspective, dependence on thinking alone is dangerous. The Bible cautions us not to lean on our own understanding. Why? Because men are not innately good, held prisoners in corrupt bodies, waiting for illumination of free them. Men are riddled with sin, and so is their thinking. The truth is not discovered by thought. It is appropriated by action – and that action must be in accordance with what God says is true. From the Hebrew perspective, I do not have to think my way out of the box. I have to obey God, Who has already told me the right way out of the box.
Jesus is thoroughly Hebrew. He does not ask the Father to enlighten the minds of the disciples with correct thinking. He asks the Father to saturate them in correct action. He asks the Father to bring them to obedience, not apprehension. The only kind of truth that sets you free is the truth that you obey. So, this Greek word, alethia, needs to be understood in the Hebrew context of ‘aman. That means it is about faithfulness, not statements of faith. It is about reliability, not accuracy. It is about God’s words backed up by God’s actions, not my thoughts justified by my arguments. To be sanctified is to be trustworthy. To be sanctified in truth is to be completely obedient and dependent on what God says. Period.
We live in a Greek world. Only the thinnest icing of Judeo-Christian morality tops the thoroughly Greek cake of our civilization. Wherever human reasoning replaces God’s revelation, the icing melts away to reveal a commitment to the glorification of the intellect. But thought without action is dead (does that sound like James?). Sanctification comes in only one flavor – take off your shoes and obey!
Do you want the truth? Notice that I did not say, “Do you want to know the truth?” I am not interested in what you know. I am interested in what you do. You either do the truth, or you are a liar. Which is it?
