May 16, 2019: SOAP #3451:  1Kings 1: 1Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1Thessalonians 5

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Observation:   What a statement!  It is a statement of God’s character and His willingness to carry through.  In considering God’s character, I see basically two major sides: Love and Holiness.  These two qualities mix together into Goodness. If either were missing, we would not think of God as Good. At times Love and Holiness seem to oppose each other but they are completely reconciled in the cross.  For it is there the righteous demands of our Holy God are paid in Love by none other than God Himself!

Holiness is expressed in justice, righteousness, purity, faithfulness, etc.  Faithfulness is an expression of Holiness.  God’s holiness demands faithfulness!

God is faithful to act according to His character.  When Paul writes, “He will do it,” he is referring to the prayer of blessing in the previous verse.  God will bless them by sanctifying them through and through.  God will keep them blameless!

Application:   In desiring to be holy and pure, what a special blessing to know that God is more desiring of this than I am!  Of course, I want to live holy, but on my own, I do not find much success.  It is only as I rely on Him and live in an abiding relationship with Him that I have any hope of succeeding.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, through your Son, you paid the ransom you demanded.  Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, you provide the righteousness for daily living you require.  There is nothing you desire of me that you have not provided for me!  What a gracious God you are!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!