1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24

 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

At first glance, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 reads as another of Paul’s encouraging comments to live holy lives before God and man, but a second look reveals the source of holiness.

God’s desire is for us to be completely holy. Notice there is no separation between the spirit and soul and body. But what is the source? Verse 23 tells us that God Himself will “sanctify you completely” and next we see that “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”

This is the same promise delivered to the people of Israel:

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

It is His faithfulness that we depend on and not ourselves as we change and grow in our relationship with Christ. Let’s begin this weekend with a renewed focus on a Faithful God.