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SANCTIFICATION - A THOROUGH WORK
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26
1 Thessalonians 5:23

Malachi 3:1-5

 

“…the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly…”

 

SANCTIFICATION - A THOROUGH WORK
 
Looking at the list of commands and exhortations in the previous verses, we may sometimes feel overwhelmed, or even discouraged, as we consider the difficult task at hand. This whole quest for sanctification may seem onerous, for there are so many aspects of our lives that we know we fall short of God’s standards. How can we ever be godly enough, and attain to God’s high holy standards?
 
The assurance is that we are not alone in this endeavour. Just as we were saved by God’s grace, that same grace will guide us on our journey of sanctification. There is comfort in the benediction that Paul ended this epistle with, reminding us that God will sanctify us wholly.
 
The key word we want to consider here is the word “wholly.” It describes the thorough and complete work of sanctification that God is working in us. His purpose for us is that we will be completely pure and holy, preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord. He is concerned about every part of our lives, and that also includes our thoughts and the desires of our hearts. Therefore, He is the One who will preserve our whole soul and body blameless unto the coming of Christ. We can be assured that as God is the one doing this, He will certainly do it thoroughly and completely.
 
Part of that process entails trials that God will put us through. Gold or silver has to go through intense heat in order for the impurities to be burned off. In like manner, God sometimes allows difficulties and afflictions to come our way in order that we may grow in faith and have the impurities of sin and worldliness purged from us. Through these, we are further sanctified and drawn closer to God.
 
Will we pray to be sanctified? Do we desire for God to do the complete sanctification work in us? Are we looking forward to the Lord’s return?
 
THOUGHT: Is there any part of my life that I am afraid or reluctant to have God to sanctify?
PRAYER: Father, sanctify me wholly, that my whole soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

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