1 Thessalonians 5:23
- The apostle Paul’s prayer for this church is that they be sanctified.
- To be sanctified means to be made holy or to be set apart.
- We must be set apart From something, For someone!
- We must be set apart from sin in order to be set aside for God.
- This is what repentance is all about.
- To repent means that we turn.
- We turn away from “our way” of living, acting and thinking and we turn to “His way”
- We say, “my way is wrong and leads to death, but God’s way is right and leads to life!”
- God’s desire is that you be holy through and through - your whole spirit, soul and body.
- That means that He wants ALL of you.
- He wants your mind, your actions and the words that you speak.
- That’s why Jesus says to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart... soul...and mind” (Matt. 22:37)
- Sanctification is a work of the Spirit of God and a work of His people.
- It’s the two working together as one.
- It’s not just a work of will power and mental determination.
- It’s surrendering your will and way to His will and way.
- God has better and greater things that He wants to do in and through you, Greater things than you can imagine.
- 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.””
- But you will never see it until you surrender to Him.
- Look at the emphasis - “for those who love Him”
- So fall head over heals in love with Him and watch what He does in and through you.
- Do you love Him?
- If you love Him then you will want what He wants.
- Your desires will be His desires!
- You will speak the things that He wants you to speak.
- And as you love Him you will see yourself change.
- He will sanctify you and it won’t be a struggle because it flows out of love.
- Today, examine yourself ... your heart and motives.
- Fall in love with Jesus and allow Him to sanctify you through and through!
- Have a great Thursday!