1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 - 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
What does today’s passage say?
In today’s passage, Paul asks God to set the Thessalonian believers apart fully in every part of their being - spirit, soul, and body - so that they stand blameless when Christ returns (v. 23). He declares that the God who called them can be trusted to transform them completely from the inside out (v. 24). Paul advises them to inspire and reassure one another, even those who wrestle with faith, rather than argue or exclude (vv. 25-27). He urges them to motivate each other toward greater expressions of Christ’s love through concrete actions (v. 28).
How can I apply 1 Thessalonians 5:22-28 to my life?
The Christian life is a lifelong journey of being set apart for God’s sacred purpose. Transformation extends to every part of us—how we think, feel, choose and act. Today, Paul captures the dynamic tension in this process. God faithfully chips away at anything in us not aligned with Christ as we actively yield ourselves to Him. We cooperate by presenting ourselves fully to the Father each day, trusting Him to complete His sanctifying work. We stimulate each other toward maturity through encouraging words and selfless actions in community. Becoming increasingly Christ-like requires brutal honesty about the compromises we’ve made and patience with the flaws of others. As we carve out time to sit under the Spirit’s spotlight, we must meet His searching gaze with humility, willing to relinquish all to His reshaping. As we build up fellow believers through loving affirmation, we make the life of Christ manifest. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Allow God to Sanctify You Entirely so that Your Spirit, Soul, and Body will Be Complete When Christ Comes (v. 23): Paul prays for the Thessalonian believers to be sanctified completely - in their spirit, soul, and body - so they will stand faultless at Christ’s return. This sanctification transforms everything - how we process life, make decisions, and take action. It exposes and chips away at areas inside us not aligned with God’s righteousness. Exposing these places can be uncomfortable and require brutal honesty about compromises we’ve made. But we must yield it all to His reshaping work through the Spirit. When we offer ourselves fully each day to the Father, it enables Him to purify us thoroughly. Of course we won't achieve perfection now. But the goal remains clear: holding nothing back so that one day the staining of sin fades and we stand made whole before Him. To experience this comprehensive sanctification, we must carve out time to sit under the Spirit's spotlight and ask Him to reveal any lingering sin. This takes stillness, honesty, and humility. We may need to make hard changes to patterns of thinking or acting. But God patiently empowers each step. Staying anchored in Scripture and accountable to other believers protects us from rationalizing or hiding dysfunction. No area of our lives falls outside the Spirit’s reach. As we yield each part to Him, we cooperate with His transforming work until that day when we will fully reflect God’s glory (Philippians 1:6, Romans 6:19-22, 2 Corinthians 7:1).
Food for thought: What habits or mindsets might God want to refine in you? Are you willing to bring those areas into the light?
2. Trust in God's Faithfulness to Fulfill His Promises (v. 24): Here, Paul makes it clear that the believer’s sanctification is rooted in God’s trustworthiness. He who calls us into relationship is the one who will sanctify us fully. Though we waver, He remains steadfast. When doubts flood our hearts about His work within us, we can return to the solid rock of His character. Even if our zeal wanes, His complete faithfulness never changes. This truth transforms how we walk through seasons of uncertainty. Instead of panicking when our passion dips, we can plead for eyes to see His unwavering commitment to transform us. When shame says, "He's given up on you," we can stand firm on His covenant love that never quits. Yes, completing His sanctifying work requires our cooperation through spiritual disciplines. But our feeble efforts never determine His faithfulness. Despite every stumble, He refuses to abandon the projects He started. Our part is trust; His part is faithfulness. And at the finish line, He gets all the glory for carrying us through. We might have to fight feelings of unworthiness that threaten our faith in His promises. But by remembering and holding fast to the examples of His completing other good works in us, we can remain confident that He who began this one will perfect it. He deserves our full confidence (1 Thessalonians 5:24, Lamentations 3:22-23, Hebrews 10:23).
Food for thought: When have you struggled to trust God’s faithfulness? What would strengthen your trust?
3. Build Up the Church by Encouraging Other Believers (vv. 25-28): As he finishes his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gives several closing exhortations that reveal the importance of building up fellow believers. He calls the Thessalonians to encourage one another while avoiding quarrels, to deal patiently with struggling members, and to spur each other on towards love and good deeds. This reminds us that sanctification is not just an individual process - we need the Body of Christ to become whole and mature. God designed the community of faith to nourish, restore, and strengthen its members. One way we participate is by regularly affirming and exhorting our brothers and sisters. A simple word of gratitude or gentle challenge can powerfully convey care, faith, and hope when someone listens closely. Of course, tensions and conflicts will arise. But we can remain even-tempered, forgiving, and humble rather than attacking back. There’s no room for drama when keeping in step with the Spirit. As we choose consistent encouragement over criticism, patient endurance over impatience, others experience God’s love through us. Together we reveal Christ as we draw one another to righteousness (Colossians 3:12-13, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Corinthians 13:7).
Food for thought: How can you proactively encourage members in your Christian community this week? Are there relationships needing patience and humility?
God calls us into an incredible process of inner transformation and renewal that continues until the day we see Jesus face to face. This lifelong process of sanctification requires letting go of anything still tainted by sin and choosing each day to offer ourselves fully to the purifying work of the Spirit. As He chips away at ungodly behaviors and distorted perspectives, He makes us new. We can have confidence that the God who began this good work will continue it to completion by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. But we have a part to play by rooting ourselves in Scripture, humility, and authentic Christian community. As we build each other up through patience and loving encouragement, we reveal more of Christ’s transforming life. May the Lord cause us to increase and excel in consecration to Him and in love for one another.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would search my heart for any areas of sin or impurity that hinder the work of Your Spirit in my sanctification. Reveal areas of resistance, rationalization, or recurring compromise that grieve You. Give me courage to step into the light and relinquish all my brokenness at the foot of the cross. I pray that You would help me to focus on building up others. Make me an instrument of encouragement, speaking words that convey faith and hope and help me to develop discernment to know when a gentle challenge would draw someone closer to You. I pray that You would grow patience and humility in me to create a safe place for honesty. As you transform me inwardly by Your Spirit, use me to foster the kind of authentic community that makes You known.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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