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He Will Surely Do It

He Will Surely Do It

Oct 25, 2015

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Preacher: Jared Longshore

Series: Book of 1 Thessalonians

Category: Sunday Morning

Keywords: faithfulness, grace, holiness, peace, sanctification

Detail:

Pastor Jared Longshore finishes his exposition of 1 Thessalonians with a message on 1 Thess 5:23-28 entitled “He Will Surely Do It.” Uncertainty regarding one’s relationship with God can cripple even the strongest believer. Paul’s purpose in this passage is to instill necessary confidence in the heart of believers.

One of the themes identified throughout 1 Thessalonians has been that of holiness. Paul, looking to the future, seeks to assure the Thessalonians God will surely sanctify his children completely. Sanctification is a necessity for His children. Verse 23 teaches God will continually do just that in a continuing, lifelong manner; God will have “kept [us] blameless.” However, having been set apart to holiness Christians must consciously seek to live a life reflecting that holiness. Though it is important to remember Christians are saved by faith and not by their works or manner of life, their lives should be visibly different than the lives of unbelievers. Verse 25 shows that it is the whole believer, “spirit and soul and body,” that should be kept holy. The Apostle Peter agrees with Paul writing “you are . . . a holy nation,” identifying the church as a whole as a people set apart to God in holiness. Since this is so, Christians must be on guard against becoming callous to sin. Rather, they should have a healthy awareness of their own sin and work, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to overcome sin striving toward holiness.

This power of God at work in us should give confidence that God continues His work in us. Paul, after laying out practical points of holiness to which Christians should strive (vv. 12 through 22) now pivots Godward. It is God “himself” (v. 23) working in us. Pastor Longshore notes that while sanctification is a work in which we participate, it is not a work we can ever do without God. Rom 3:10-18 is clear that no man is, or can be on his own, righteous. Righteousness comes from the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. It is God alone who gives life. We all need to search our hearts and, as we do, recognize our own sinfulness and utter helplessness in attaining holiness. God, however, desires to have us come to Him for the holiness only He can provide. If you have not done that, the Bible reminds, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). What is the reason you do not come to him today?

For those that have come to Christ Paul provides assurance. Verse 24, speaking of sanctification, is clear: “He will surely do it.” God calls His own, provides peace for them, is faithful to them, and continually grants them needed grace. All of this is done through the work of the Savior. God will surely sanctify His children. What hinders you from becoming His child?