Living in the Light of Christ's Coming

Some time ago, a generous church member offered to fly me in his personal airplane to a speaking engagement. After taking off, he set the autopilot to the appropriate heading, altitude, and airspeed, and then we sat back and enjoyed the journey. Apart from takeoff and landing, the airplane virtually flew itself. Technology is an amazing thing! Unfortunately, what is true of airplanes is not true of Christianity. There is no autopilot in the Christian life. Following Christ is not as simple as saying your prayers and reading a few Scriptures only to sit back and watch your faith fly itself. You don't soar past your problems, cruise through your relationships, and then glide effortlessly into spiritual maturity. Christianity requires hard work. In fact, Jesus made no secret of the level of commitment required to take this journey:

Jesus demands nothing less than for His followers to be "all in" in their relationship with Him.

As we have seen, the second half of Paul's letter is directed at the Thessalonians' commitment to Christ. Paul seems to be saying, "If you are all in for Jesus, then your life will reflect your commitment." Paul has been revealing to them how their faith is to be fleshed out in the course of their lives. He has covered a lot of territory and addressed some major themes in the space of only two chapters. These themes include moral purity (4:3-8), brotherly love (4:9-10), grief and death (4:13-14), interpersonal relationships (5:12-15), and basic Christian virtues (5:16-22).

Paul had to anticipate that the Thessalonians would be somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of measuring up to the things that he had been teaching. This thought was doubtlessly on his mind as he penned the closing words of his letter. With words that are measured and focused, he seeks to reassure them that God is interested in their spiritual success. In fact, God is so interested in their success that He promises to be personally involved. He will fulfill His purposes in them and through them by His work of sanctification.

The Promise of God to His People

1 Thessalonians 5:23a, 24

One of the most transforming truths that you will ever hear is that God is interested in you (Rom 8:31-32). When the implications of this truth grip your heart, they will change the way you think and influence the way you live. Contrary to the lyrics from Bette Midler's hit song, God is not "watching us from a distance" (Julie Gold, "From a Distance," 1985). He is actively involved in every detail of your life, including your 170personal sanctification. In his closing prayer Paul reminds the Thessalonians of this life-changing truth: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely.... He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it" (5:23a, 24; emphasis added). This is not the first time that the Thessalonians heard Paul pray in this way. There is a close connection between this prayer and his previous prayer for their sanctification in 3:11-13. In both passages Paul purposely places an emphasis on God as the source of the believer's sanctification.

The Source of Sanctification—God Himself (1 Thess 5:23a)

Paul begins his prayer by addressing God as the "God of peace." Charles Wannamaker insightfully observes that by using the word peace, Paul is referring to God not merely as One who brings order into our confusion, but as "the source of all well-being for the people of God" (Wannamaker, Epistles, 205). He thus bestows His peace on those who are reconciled to Him through saving faith in Jesus Christ. The believers in Thessalonica had come to know God not as an angry and distant deity, but as a loving and compassionate Father. Chuck Swindoll paints a beautiful picture of what it means when we view God in this way:

Our God has compassion filling His eyes because His wrath has been appeased at the cross. We don't have to drag our good deeds before Him like sacrificial offerings, hoping He's in a good mood that day. He demands nothing more of us for salvation than that we receive His love and forgiveness as a gift. Christ's blood has done the work of atonement, and God is satisfied. (Swindoll, Contagious Christianity, 97)

When the Thessalonians embraced the gospel, God set them apart for holiness. And as we will see later, He began His work of sanctification in them. Now that He is their Father, they could find comfort in knowing that their "God of peace Himself" was going to equip and empower them to live holy lives. To emphasize this truth, Paul places the pronoun Himself at the beginning of the sentence in Greek to identify God as the primary source of their sanctification.

That God Himself was going to sanctify them was not to imply that the Thessalonians had no role in the process. Paul had just outlined for them a series of commands to obey (4:3-10; 5:12-22). While sanctification is the work of God, believers must still assume an active role in this process by obeying God's Word, following God's will, and surrendering 171to God's Spirit. Concerning the individual's active role in sanctification, Paul writes,

So on the one hand, God's Spirit is committed to bring about our complete sanctification. On the other hand, we are also called to pursue passionately a life that honors God, knowing that "He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:6).

The Scope of Sanctification—His Work (1 Thess 5:24)

Paul reminded the Thessalonians that God always finishes what He starts: "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it" (5:24). What a remarkable commitment God makes to us! He's not going to rest or quit until He brings to final completion the work that He began when He saved you. Your ultimate security is not found in your not letting go of God, but in God not letting go of you. And He promises never to let go of you. Calvin drives this truth home: "For he does not promise to be a Father to us merely for one day, but adopts us with this understanding, that he is to cherish us ever afterwards" (Calvin, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 305). When God calls you, He keeps you; and when He saves you, He sanctifies you. The assurance you have is that God never begins anything that He does not intend to finish.

The Work of God in His People

1 Thessalonians 5:23b

Having identified "the God of peace Himself" as the source of our sanctification, you must now consider what actually transpires in the work of sanctification. Paul had previously informed the Thessalonians that 172God's will is for them to be sanctified (4:3). Here, however, Paul prays for God to work through them to accomplish His will: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely" (5:23). God sanctifies completely by transforming both who we are (our standing) and what we do (our living). As Hiebert notes, Paul uses the word completelyto demonstrate that God desires to transform "every part of their being, leaving no area untouched by the pervasive power of divine holiness" (Hiebert, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 268).

To take this thought of complete sanctification a little deeper, Paul includes these words in his prayer: "May your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:23). Unfortunately, the debate over the precise meaning of "spirit, soul, and body" has often clouded Paul's strongly worded and passionate request for God to completely transform His people from the inside out.15 The point is, while we can work hard at reforming our behavior and altering our appearance, there is nothing we can do to transform our spirit, soul, and body. Fixing up our outside may make us feel better for the moment, but it can do little to give us lasting peace. However, what we are incapable of doing, God is able to do "completely." Only God has the power both to transform us and to keep us "sound and blameless" until the coming of Christ. As Morris states,

Paul is not thinking of a sanctification that may last a little time here on earth.... [He] looks for them to be preserved blameless not only through the changes and trials of this earthly life, but also on that dread day when they stand before the eternal judge. (Morris, First and Second, 183)

To understand better the significance of Paul's prayer we must take a closer look at how sanctification works in a person's life. Sanctification

173has three dimensions—past, present, and future. Each of these dimensions carries with it a specific dimension of God's work in us.

Sanctification Secures Our Standing

The moment that you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and are born again, you are instantly set apart for God (1 Cor 1:2; 6:11). God forgives your sin, changes your nature, adopts you as His children, and clothes you with His righteousness. This is called positional sanctification. When the Thessalonians heard the gospel, received the message, and turned from idols to God, they were saved (1:2-10; 2:12-13). At the moment they believed the gospel, God saved, sealed, and sanctified (Heb 10:10). They were now "dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11). Positionally, they had a new standing with God. When their standing changed, so did the trajectory of their lives. The exciting thing about the gospel is how quickly your life can change. God can change the standing of even those with the hardest of hearts if they will turn to Christ in repentance and faith. The Corinthian church experienced firsthand how Jesus could "wash" and "sanctify" the sinful hearts of robbers, drunks, adulterers, and foul-mouthed thieves (1 Cor 6:9-11).

Sanctification Ensures Our Progress

God does not save you to sit and soak in your salvation; He saves you to go and live out your salvation. That is why sanctification is not only positional—in the past when God saved you—it is also progressive—in the present as God changes you. This is clearly Paul's focus as he asks God to make the Thessalonians more like Jesus Christ through the sanctification of their "spirit, soul, and body." God loves us far too much to allow us to remain as we are. God will untiringly chip away at our sin and imperfections until we look more and more like Jesus (John 17:19). Without God's ongoing work of sanctification, the Thessalonians would never be able to measure up to God's standards. God, however, would leave no stone unturned as He continued His work in their "spirit, soul, and body" until they would ultimately stand in His presence.

Sanctification Guarantees Our Future

The ultimate goal of sanctification is our future glorification. What God did in the past at salvation and what He is doing in your present 174transformation is preparing you for your future with Him. As John puts it, "We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). Paul offers a similar word to the Philippian church:

While the Thessalonians were anticipating the day when they would see Jesus, they needed reassurance that God is able to empower, protect, and preserve them until that day. Paul reminds them that God is able to "keep" them "sound and blameless" (5:23). The word keep means "watch over" or "guard," as with something that is very precious.Blamelesscarries the idea of being "without fault or accusation." He is thus reassuring the Thessalonians that God Himself will protect them until the coming of Jesus Christ and prepare them for that great day. Jude had this in mind when he wrote,

The Thessalonians could therefore rejoice that at Christ's coming, God was going to bring their sanctification to its ultimate completion. John Polhill offers a fitting summary of this section when he writes,

God had set the Thessalonians apart in Christ; He chose them (1:4). And He would remain true to his calling them; he would keep them as his own, blameless until the coming of Christ. (Polhill, Paul, 195)

The Presence of God Through His People

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28

No matter how high you can jump theologically, what matters the most is how straight you walk when you hit the ground. Throughout 175this epistle, Paul has expounded some deep theological truths—some with present implications for how we live today, and others with future implications for how we will face tomorrow. He takes us on a journey from the moral purity of the human heart to the heights of heaven at the return of Christ. He teaches us how to view death, and he challenges us to make the most of life. He demonstrates the differences between those who love the darkness and those who walk in the light. And he contrasts the judgment of the Day of the Lord with the joy and expectation of seeing Jesus. His teaching has been both profoundly deep and immensely practical. Yet as Paul ends his letter, he comes right back to the local church. He endeavors to keep the Thessalonians firmly planted in their calling. Thus, in his parting words, he draws their attention to three tasks that the Thessalonians must not forsake: praying, encouraging, and growing.

Praying for One Another (1 Thess 5:25)

Paul ends his letter in much the same way that he began his letter—by praying. The slight difference is that in the opening chapter he offers prayer on their behalf (1:2; see also 3:12-13; 5:23), while here he also asks for prayer on his behalf. He begins verse 25 with the term brothers, which he has used more than a dozen times throughout the letter. "Brothers" is placed at the beginning of the sentence most likely to emphasize his earnest request for their prayers. It's as if he is saying, "Brothers, we are not just asking for your prayers—we need your prayers." Paul's request reveals two things about him. First, he was never too important to identify with God's people. Imagine how the news of Paul's request must have reverberated through the Thessalonian church. From personal experience, I know what an honor and encouragement it is to be asked to pray for others, especially those whom I admire and respect. Second, Paul's request for prayer reveals that He saw his work as part of God's greater work. Paul never lost sight of the strategic mission and importance of the local church.

Although Paul did not name a specific request for which they should pray, the Thessalonians must have been aware of the challenges of his ongoing ministry (cf. Rom 15:30-32; Eph 6:19-20; Col 4:3-4; 2 Thess 3:1-2). Paul's greatest allies in his ongoing work were the untold number of Christians who were privately and corporately praying for him. Not 176everyone can go on missionary journeys like Paul, but through intercessory prayer everyone can partner with those who do.

Encouraging One Another (1 Thess 5:26)

As you know, the church is a living, growing spiritual body (Eph 2:19-22; 4:11-16; 5:23-33; 1 Cor 12:12-27). Like our physical bodies, it comprises many parts, each with its own specific function. As has been made clear in this letter, each member of the body of Christ comes with his own set of hurts, habits, and hang-ups, including being fearful, discouraged, and irresponsible (5:14). Considering the varying backgrounds, personalities, and preferences of those within the body of Christ, it is a miracle that the church is able to accomplish anything. Yet through the power of His Spirit, God not only equips His people to do His work, He also enables them to love one another while they do it.

God expects His people to build close relationships that are marked by mutual love and accountability. God did not establish His church to be a place; He established His church to be a people—a people who love Him and love one another. To those outside the church, Paul's request to "greet all the brothers with a holy kiss" might seem a bit unusual (5:26), but those who are a part of the body of Christ understand the profound love that Christians have for one another. The cold formality and palpable superficiality that you may experience in some churches do little to encourage the simple shake of a hand, let alone the giving of a holy kiss! As the apostle John affirms, one of the most visible signs of a redeemed heart is a genuine love for others:

By giving them this affectionate request, Paul reminds the Thessalonians to express their love for one another visibly. As Marshall points out, while we may not practice the same custom today, we still must be careful so as not to miss the point:

What is important is that the members of the church should have some way of expressing visibly and concretely the love which they have for one another as fellow-members of the body of Christ. (Marshall, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 165)

Growing with One Another (1 Thess 5:27-28)

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Paul's final command is written in such a way so as not to be misunderstood: "I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers" (5:27). That this command is written in the first person singular most likely indicates that Paul has personally penned these words. Up until this point, Paul likely employed an amanuensis, or secretary, to record his words (cf. 2 Thess 3:17; 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11-18). With very strong language, he commands them to have the letter read to the church.

To understand why Paul was so bold in his command is not difficult. Although Paul was the human author of the letter, its message was divinely inspired (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21). This message came from God to the church, and since God had spoken through Paul, the letter represented divine truth. Since the letter addressed many specific concerns and issues within the fellowship, the leaders were obligated to make certain that everyone was exposed to its teaching. While God's Word touches every area of our lives, it cannot do its work if it is not heard. And to be heard it must be proclaimed (Rom 10:14). Paul knew that there was enough misinformation circulating throughout the church. Therefore what the church needed was not another opinion, but a word from God Himself.

Put yourself in the Thessalonians' shoes on the day that Paul's letter is read to the church. Suppose that you are one of the members who had lost a loved one. Imagine the weight that is lifted from your shoulders when you hear that your loved one will not miss out on the glorious return of Christ. Perhaps you are one of the busybodies who have been meddling in everyone's affairs, but after hearing Paul's letter, you are convicted to stop bothering others and to start helping them. Maybe you have been contemplating sexual sin, but because you now recognize that God's will for you is to remain morally pure, you flee from sexual immorality. Of course, you could name dozens of other ways that Paul's letter would speak to a person, but that is exactly what God's Word does. That is why the writer of Hebrews states,

178In typical Pauline fashion, Paul ends his letter on a note of God's grace. Without God's grace, Paul is just another man and 1 Thessalonians is just another letter; but because of God's grace, Paul is the apostle sent from God and 1 Thessalonians is God's Word to us. Paul began the letter with grace (1:1), and now he ends his letter with God's grace (5:28). For Paul, grace was not merely an invocation and a benediction—it was his life.

Conclusion

Let's conclude by highlighting four takeaways from this passage.

God has taken a special interest in you. His construction project on you begins from the moment He saves you. And it's more than a renovation project that will last for only a few months—it's a transformation project that will last for a lifetime. He doesn't break for lunch, and He never takes a vacation. He won't break His contract, and He won't let you down. God uses only the finest materials, and He never takes shortcuts. He promises to bring to completion the work that He began in you.

The time to get serious about your personal holiness is now. Your sanctification is not in doubt, for God guarantees it. If God guarantees your sanctification, then why would you resist? To resist God's hand makes no sense. You will only find yourself fighting a battle that you cannot win. His sanctifying work can either be a blessing or a battle. If God is committed to complete the good work that He began in you, then perhaps it's time to partner with Him in the process.

Recognize that God is sanctifying others also. God is not only at work in our lives, He is also working in the lives of others. When we are tempted to lose our cool because of their lack of progress, we would do well to remember that we also are works in progress.

Nothing is accidental. God oversees the affairs of our lives even to the smallest of details. If He is at work in us, then we can be confident that He is also at work around us. Only God can take the thousands of seemingly insignificant details of our lives and weave them together to bring about our ultimate good. Even when we cannot see the good, we can still take comfort that God is good. Although we cannot give thanks for everything, we can still give thanks in everything. The apostle Paul sums it up perfectly:

Reflect and Discuss

1. How would you define Christian sanctification to a non-Christian? How is it different from self-righteousness?
2. When does the work of sanctification begin? When does it end?
3. Explain how God is involved in the work of sanctification. What role do you play?
4. What is the difference between positional sanctification and progressive sanctification?
5. What guarantee does God make to His people about sanctification? Does such a promise allow Christians to take their sanctification for granted?
6. Has someone you respect as a spiritual leader ever asked you to pray for him or her? How did that affect your opinion of that person?
7. What can the contemporary church learn from Paul's admonition to greet one another with a "holy kiss"?
8. Why did Paul command the church to read the letter? Do you think Paul was aware that he had written inspired Scripture?
9. With the context of the book in view, describe some ways that the people might have responded after hearing the letter read.
10. How does Paul's reference to grace in the final verse reflect both Paul's life and his ministry?

2 Thessalonians