1 Thess. 5:23 Complete Santification - Devotional Scripture

 

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Thessalonians 5:23

God wants us to be set apart for Him. In Thess. chapter 4, Paul was urging the Thessalonians to walk in a manner that was pleasing to God. But here, in chapter 5, He tells them that this can only be accomplished in God's strength.  God never intended us to live a holy life, a sanctified life, in our own strength.  He is the one who completes that work in us. We are to cooperate with Him but ultimately it is God that does the sanctifying.

Complete sanctification involves the whole person – spirit, soul and body. God must be involved in every aspect of our lives. He must be in control of our entire being. Our spirit is that part which enables us to have communion with God. Our soul is our mind, will and emotions. Our body is the house in which our person dwells. His holiness should prod into all the corners of our being so that none may escape purification.  As we choose to obey, He will give us the power to perform; but He will not give us the power to perform until we make the choice to obey.

In Joshua 3, the waters of the Jordan River did not part until the priests stepped into the water. They had to physically put the soles of their sandals into the water before the water stopped flowing. God worked, but he required the people to take a step of faith, a step of obedience before they experienced His mighty work.