1 Thess. 5:23-27, Sanctification (4)

·        The duration of God’s sanctifying and keeping (v23).

Now we are talking about “time” because the Apostle gives us a marker, if you will.  We will be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God will keep us and guard us as His people so that we will be able to stand before Christ at His coming.  Clearly this is not a promise to keep us alive until Christ returns.  Rather it says that even in the face of death itself we will be kept safe; no one will be able to pluck us out of His hand. 

Remember that the two topics of sanctification and preservation are united here, as they were united in Jesus’ prayer in John 17.  When we are set apart (sanctified) for our Lord then He takes the responsibility for our safety.  We are His possession and thus His responsibility.  Time is essential in our sanctification.  Scripture presents sanctification not simply as something begun and accomplished in a moment but rather accomplished through a process.  It is past tense in that we are sanctified at the moment of regeneration.  Remember, the Thessalonians were already saints (3:13).  But then sanctification continues through this life.  That is where chapters 4-5 have been fitting in (note 4:3).  Through the trials of life God is chastening us to be partakers of His holiness (Heb. 12:10).  But then we understand from 5:23 that there is a future tense of sanctification.  We are preserved blameless at the coming of Christ.  Christ keeps us as His until we are no longer in the world (Jn. 17).  We can say with Paul that we are confident God will complete what He has begun (Phil. 1:6) and confident He will keep what we have committed to Him until that day (2 Tim. 1:12).

·        The means of God’s sanctifying and keeping (v25-28).

The concluding verses might fly right past us if we do not stop to think about these details and their relation to God’s work of sanctification and preservation. 

o   5:25 reminds us that the context in which this work of God occurs is our life of trouble.  Brethren, pray for us.  The Apostle was in need of prayer.  So are we.  God is faithful; He will do it!  But the connection between God’s work and our need is prayer.  Otherwise we have not because we ask not!  Ask and it shall be given.  Seek and you will fine.  Knock and the door will be opened (Mt. 7:7).  Pray in Jesus’ name (Jn. 14:14).

o   5:25-27 reminds us that God’s works through the fellowship of believers.  In humility we seek their prayer on our behalf.  In joy we meet together, bound in holiness as fellow-saints.  And the primary activity that occupies our gatherings is that we read and study the word together.  The word of God is essential to God’s work in us (Rom. 15:16; 2 Th. 2:13; Jn. 17:17; Ac. 20:32; Eph. 5:21).

o   5:28 reminds us that it is all of God’s grace.  By that we are not simply saying it is God’s unmerited favor (the usual definition of grace).  As 1 Cor. 15:10 says, we are what we are by God’s grace.  It is His all-sufficient power in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).  Our usefulness in the Body of Christ is the result of God’s grace that has been given to us (Rom. 12:6).  This is not just a way of saying the letter is finished.  It is how the letter will have an impact in our lives!  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.