He will do it! (1 Thessalonians 5:23-28)

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Thoughts:

He is faithful.  He will do it.  He will sanctify you.  He will keep your spirit, soul and body blameless until Christ’s return.  God Himself, the God of peace, is faithful, and will sanctify you through and through!  I hope that just blows your mind and brings you joy and confidence!

Peter instructed us to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14)  We should certainly make every effort to keep ourselves free from sin, but apart from the forgiveness that comes through faith in Christ you cannot make yourself truly blameless.  We may strive to live blamelessly, yet we all fail daily (ok, maybe you only fail weekly or monthly, but you fail).  Only faith in the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ brings forgiveness (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 3:12). 

I’m so thankful that God has promised me His forgiveness through my faith (trust) in Christ.  I know that no matter how hard I try, I can never truly be blameless (forgiven – a clean slate) through my own effort.  That truth doesn’t give me an excuse to live as I please – to sin whenever I feel like it.  Instead, it gives me the freedom to strive for righteous living without the burden of guilt or sense of futility brought on by my imperfection and my failures. 

God help those who are constantly urged to keep themselves pure, yet are not constantly reminded that their faithful God is ultimately their source of sanctification and blamelessness – not themselves (Ephesians 2:8).  It’s not surprising that Paul would end his letter to these Christians with such encouraging words… He is faithful.  He will do it.  He will sanctify you.  He will keep your spirit, soul and body blameless until Christ’s return.

Enjoy the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Don’t and Do… 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

Thoughts:

Yes, the Bible has its “Do’s” and “Don’ts”… but like any good parent, God the Father doesn’t remain silent and allow you to go through life without instruction and warning.  Some lessons are better learned apart from the school of hard knocks.  These “Don’ts” and “Do’s” are for church life, and I suppose they serve as warnings for both the teacher (preacher) and student in the body of Christ.

Don’t quench the Spirit.  Don’t “extinguish” the Spirit is perhaps a more appropriate translation for modern english.  Paul uses the same word in Ephesians 6:16…  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  I’m aware that most preaching on the phrase “Don’t quench the Spirit” is related to one’s inner promptings from God’s Spirit within, leading, urging, guiding one into action.  Within context, it might be that Paul is urging the Christians not to “write off” preaching/teaching (treat prophesy with contempt) without serious consideration.  Before you take something too lightly or pour on an unhealthy dose of cynicism (you’ve heard it all, and you’ve heard it all before), prayerfully ponder whether or not the instruction might be from God’s Spirit.  God may be starting a fire and you may be hearing what amounts to a spark or a burning coal.  Be careful that you are not pouring water on the Spirit’s fire. 

And now, a warning for the preacher/teacher…  The listener/student is also taught to test everything, hold on to the good and reject what is evil.  Within context, it could be that Paul is stating the obvious (but oft forgotten)… sometimes preachers/teachers will be wrong.  Imperfection?  Yes.  In Acts 20:30-31 Paul warns the Ephesian Elders, “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard!”  He didn’t say “be hypercritical” or “be cynical”, but the message is clear… “Be on your guard.”

Preacher, Evangelist, Pastor, Elder, Teacher… “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  Remember, however, that you are not perfect, and that God has instructed your listeners to “test everything” that you teach.  Welcome the godly scrutiny.  It’s hard, I  know.  I’ve experienced the uncomfortable confrontations, both from the giving and receiving perspectives.  But it’s ok.  If everyone is godly in their motives, and if pride is absent, the Spirit’s fire will not be extinguished and the church will be purged of unhealthy teaching.

From my experience, it’s pride that’s the poison – in both the preacher and the listener – but neither the preacher or listener should be afraid of these “Don’ts and Do’s”.

Enjoy “Don’ts and Do’s” – They’re good for you!